Parasound Halo JC 3 vs Whest PS .30R for the Lyra Delos


Hello,

I am looking to reduce the noise floor in the analog section of my system.  I am using a Lyra Delos, Michell Tecnodek, Whest PS .30R, Audio Research tube amp & preamp, and Rockport Mira Monitors.

Full system can be seen here: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421

Through the help of various members, I have determined that the noise I am complaining about, which is subtle, but present, is coming from my Whest phono preamp.  Because of the design of my ARC preamp, and the fact that I own the cables, I want to maintain a phono preamp with balanced outputs, which is less common, and hence not a ton of choice, especially at the price point I want to be at.

My Whest retails for $3500 and is probably worth about $2500, and that is where I want to keep the top of my budget.  if I score a great deal on the Whest, and a great deal on a replacement, I can use the surplus to upgrade the cables perhaps, or another tweak, such as fuses, or perhaps some new vinyl!

I am wondering if the Lyra Delos - Parasound Halo JC 3 combo will be better than the Whest in 2 departments:  lower noise, and similar or better overall sound quality.  I am not looking to shoot myself in the foot and get lower quality sound at the cost of a lower noise floor!

Thoughts?

PS>  If anyone is bored, or super motivated, here is the thread in which we flush out the issue of the noise...
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/will-changing-my-100-watt-tube-amp-to-a-200-watt-ss-amp-solve...

marktomaras

Showing 1 response by ebromley

EB
I have to agree with Moonglum: I have been using a Whest PS.30r with a Lyra Kleos mounted on an SME V on an Oracle TT. The Whest\Kleos combo is absolutely quiet.  Not a hint of hum or any other noise. Hum is usually generated by a ground loop. You need to have BOTH your TT and the cartridge/tonearm grounded to your first output device - the Whest - and not to anything else.. If you are using a noise supression power strip - conditioner-  make sure that it allows the ground to pass - many do not..  Try connecting the TT, and Whest, and your AR preamp directly to a regular grounded outlet. If that works, try moving the AR back  to the power conditioner. Leave the Whest and TT alone. The Whest is a really good phono stage and if the Delos is 3/4 as good as my Kleos, its a beautiful analog combo.