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Looking for a phono stage with pleasing coloration

I have recently completely overhauled my analog front end. I have gone from a Marantz TTS TT-15S1 with a Clearaudio Charisma to a Rega Planar 8 with a Soundsmith Paua II cartridge. There have been definite improvements; improvements in dynamics, resolution, and spatial separation.  Phono stage is currently a Tavish Adagio running into a Prima Luna Evo 300 preamp and Parasound JC 5 amp; speakers are Monitor Audio PL 100 II. I’m overall pleased with the system but I find it a little too modern sounding; instrument separation, and mid and low bass are a tad too tight and disciplined. While the Paua generally outclasses the Charisma; I preferred the tonality of the Charisma. Maybe it’s because the Charisma has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its tonality that I like.


I would like to make change to Phono stage to address these issues, so looking for recommendations on a phono stage that has a bit more of a vintage coloration, body, warmth, slightly looser bass and low noise floor and retains good top end extension. I currently have the PS Audio Stellar phono on order for a home trial but every review I have read has praised it for its neutrality but what I really want is added coloration that I find pleasing.  I guess I can try tube rolling the Adagio but I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of trying to find low microphonic NOS tubes. Finally I want to stay under $3K and I’m open to vintage phono preamps (but I don’t want to sacrifice dynamics and sound stage).


Ag insider logo xs@2xarize84

Showing 5 responses by dover

dover
2,173 posts
 
I know the Paua well - I suggest you start by auditioning the matching Soundsmith phono - as the loading and gain requirements for the Paua are unusual - ie gain of a moving coil stage, but the ability to adjust the loading between 500 and 1000 ohms.
dover
2,173 posts
 
Good idea. But note the Decware SUT uses infinitely adjustable loading - on the fly - simply turn the knob.

Not correct.
With a SUT the loading is determined by the gain of the SUT and the phono input impedance.
The highest load the Decaware SUT can provide is 470ohms from their 1:10 transformer, assuming a standard 47k phono input.
The Paua requires 470-1000 ohms to find the optimum.
SUT's also have phase issues but thats another story.



dover
2,173 posts
 
The EAR 834 is unsuitable for the same reasons I outlined above - the ability to adjust load 470-1000 ohms with high gain.
dover
2,173 posts
 
The Paua is not a lean cartridge, I know from experience.
I listened to the Paua many times mounted on an SME 20 TT with both the Soundsmith phono and Linn Uphorik - both solid state, but have the ability to load up to 1000ohms.

As I stated in my earlier posts it requires loading between 500-1000 ohms.

The Tavish has Jensen transformers for the MC gain which I suspect limits your loading to a max of 470ohms, and I believe the source of your problem is the use of SUT's ( in the Tavish ).

I think you will find out if you try the PS Audio or Soundsmith phono or a suitable phono that provides loading options 500-1000 ohms withut the use of SUT's, you will be better off.

The other issue that may be causing brightness, might be VTA. Since the Rega tonearm has to be shimmed to get the VTA correct - has this been attended to ? If you can measure the height of the Paua and compare it to the height of a Rega cartridge ( from top of cartridge to stylus ) this will give you an indicator of whether you need to adjust VTA.


dover
2,173 posts
 
arize84
That sounds very promising. Looks like if you just let everything settle in you are on the way. I would suggest just enjoy, and have another look at fine tuning with loading  once everything is run in in a couple of weeks.
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