2. analog
  3. 135066-90127

Ugraditus is calling....again. Phono stage?

There is likely nothing wrong at all with present phono stage but you know how it is.

Present analog front end consists of.

Nottingham Analog Spacedeck with Spacearm.
Shelter 501 mk3 cartridge with maybe 250 hours on it, regularly treated with Lyra.
Dynavector P75 mk3 phono stage.
Feeds into Lyngdorf 2170 via Nordost Red Dawn RCA cables.

My thoughts were that possibly the Dynavector is the weakest link and would pay most dividend on an upgrade but.....

What do I perceive I am lacking right now?
Really hard to say as this is highest quality analog front end ever owned.
Possibly lacking a little in sheer scale and dynamics? Bass is very very good, instruments are well separated and defined.
Just as an overall presentation I feel it lacks that final wow factor as a whole.
Not sure if that makes any sense?
Please comment honestly especially if you feel it is another area that may reap larger benefits. Or if should just leave well alone....lol.

Oh btw I am fairly sure it is setup correctly in regards to vta etc, at least to the best of my abilities right now. And yes setting it up correctly from initial purchase did make considerable gains in sq.
128x128uberwaltz
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Uber,

Just got a slight itch to try something new with the PH-10 - A tube buffer.

I know there is a GoldNote tube buffer supposed to be released, who knows when? along with the PSU, but in the meantime I just grabbed an iFi iTube2 from Amazon. 

Very excited to try this reasonably inexpensive addition.  Whether or not it integrates with the rest of my system, we'll have to see.

But, if it does...I can't think of a single other "tube" phono stage with the flexibility of the PH-10.  I should have it in two days, and will report back.

https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-itube2/
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Robert.
Looks very interesting indeed.
Lots of good reviews.
Please keep us updated.
About $500?
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
$399

And of course 30 day return policy with Amazon, in case it's not a good fit.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I usually forget to check Amazon! 

The wife lives on it but I am still stuck on eBay...lol
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Well..

This little gadget is very cool.  On my 3rd record so far.  I haven't played around with all the settings which include:
-3 types of tube sound signatures: classic tube, set, and push-pull
-3 sound stage signatures: normal, enhanced, and 30* enhanced
-3 Bass signatures: none, +6db, and +12b

I've been using classic tube, enhanced soundstage, and no bass boost.

There is no loss in detail, but much better warmth, air, and soundstage.  I guess this thing does exactly what its supposed to do.

Build quality is excellent, and placement is easy since it's so small.  I've used iFi products before, but placement was always a PITA, because the inputs & outputs were on opposite sides of the unit.  Not the case here.

More listening to do, but I'm very happy with my initial impressions, and highly recommend the iTube2.  So much fun, for so little $$$

Now I wish I could try it with a 2170 - Room Perfect and tube goodness.  Might be a very cool match.
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