Would love some feedback / Denon DL-S1 / phono match / cart recomendations


Would love some feedback / Denon DL-S1 / phono match / cart recomendations

- Vinyl newbie and need some help

- Friend has a brand new  Denon DL-S1 for $600 - good deal?

- I have a Mark Levinson No.326s preamp and just bought the dual mono MM/MC Phono module boards. They are the identical boards from the No,32 preamp and read that was a very nice sounding phono preamp.

- No.326s only has a couple settings 42db or 60 db and 47k ohm or 200 ohm load

- I picked up a used Bob's Device 1131 thinking it would help as my No.326s has limited setting options and read the 1131 might not work well with this cart. That this cart is tough to get the most out of but can be great.

- Should I get another cart? Was it a mistake getting the 1131 SUT. I read the No.326s sounded nice with this SUT so went for it but don't know enough to really know better either way but trying to learn.

- The No.326s phono boards has these little gold terminal screws with easy tighten by hand little knobs on the heads of the screws to add either capacitor or resistor to make the phono very adjustable but would have no idea how to figure out how to use that but thought to mention

- just wondering if this is a bad cart for me to try with my phono and SUT set up and any feedback about anything related to a cart would be super appreciated if anyone reads this. Thanks

more info if helpful below but not need to answer my question just thought to add it :)

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I just finished up a full system re-fit with some tweaking here and there still to do but I am extremely happy with the sound I’m getting today from my new to me system. I sold my entire old system that was tubes and high efficiency speakers and got new to me: speakers, amp, preamp, speaker cables and upgraded digital transport and got a new turntable. Kept my DAC never changing that. Love my DAC. 

This system is the best I’ve personally ever had. I’m pretty psyched - so psyched I just added a turntable. 

A modern Version of the VPI Prime Aries with HRX Feet, 10" 3D Arm and Base, Prime Signature Platter, Ring and Motor. 

I am looking for a cart and my friend has a new Denon DL-S1 for $600 he also has a  used but good shape Clearaudio Accurate mc cart for a few hundred but i never heard of this one and a  van den Hul blackheart grass hopper which I know nothing of.

I thought because the Denon is new never used that was the best option but any of you know anything about the other let me know please.
  
Would love some feedback / ideas / thought recommendations and help. I’m a digital guy and want to give vinyl and honest to goodness try.

As stated above I just purchased the dual mono Phono board modules for my
Mark Levinson No.326s linestage so it’s now a full function Preamp and added a Bobs Device 1131 SUT and both were attained a very reasonable cost which was great!

Just not sure if these carts will go with my phono and SUT.

Rest of my System:
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5160

- Magico S5 Loudspeakers
- Pass Labs X350.5 Amplifier
- Mark Levinson No.326s Preamp/phonostage
- Bricasti M1 Special Edition DAC
- PS Audio P10 Power Plant
- Kubala-Sosna Emotion SC’s
- Nordost/Cardas IC’s
- Assorted PC's Verastarr/Cardas

- Digital PC based front end that I have been tweaking and evolving:
- Sonore microRendu 1.4
- Full Suite of UpTone Audio Gear
(2) x LPS-1 Ultra Capacitor PS
JS-2 Linear Power Supply
(2) Regens - ISO/Amber
- (8) Canare / Oyide DC cables
- (2) Breeze Audio 12v LPS
- Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference USB cable
- Curious Regen Link USB Cable.

This Digital Front End beat out: Lumin, Antipodes, Naim and Auralic servers. It needs everything to work so well but man does it work great. My hope is that a turntable can complete and wish some luck I end up liking it better. That’s why I’m asking for help. I want to put my best vinyl foot forward 

** Back Ground info**

** Room is **
14 x 24 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 16 Foot a peak

** Music likes **
Assorted Music but no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else. I listen just loud enough to sound its best but not a loud listener. I enjoy normal levels.

** Likes / Priorities **
Transparency - Delicacy - Linear - High resolution - microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless -some natural warmth and life to the music is key  but love that see through transparency and love precise soundstage - remove as many layers without being clinical - tight bass - hate flab - but don’t need worlds greatest slam but love speed and accurate bass while being musical.

** Perspective **
I’m only a couple months into this new system and I was struggling to get the right Preamp and tried a half dozen or so searching for the right balance and the one that could bring my new system together like only the perfect matching preamp can do. Each system is different so really it must be heard to know it’s what you want. I believe in the Preamp and knew If I could find the right match it would change everything. Well that was the hope.

To make a long story longer the Mark Levinson No.326s preamp did this and more. I was hedging my expectations based on the disappointments of the others I tried and failed but the No. 326s nailed it and honestly it an incredible Preamp and then some. I was so happy I decided to upgrade and add the built in phonostage option and SUT and Turntable here we are trying to chose a cart.

Really appreciate any help you can provide! I know this is kind of long but wanted you guys to know where I’m coming from! If you would like more info please let me know - all comments and feedback are most welcome and deeply appreciated :)




128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
jperry - great info. Even my buddy wants to mount it and listen because it has been sitting for so long but that is a great idea. Thanks  so much!  
Holy moley! What is going on here? The OP bought a VPI; so that is that. Now move on to the cartridge.

fsmithjack, if your friend is such a great guy, will he let you audition the DL-S1 on your own system? I don't see why you have to buy a pig in a poke, here. If Mr. wonderful thinks opening the box will lower the sale price to someone else, offer him $100 (or less) for the trial. That way you take the guessing out of the decision. 
For your first experience with a turntable, I suggest that you avoid a used cartridge. With a new cartridge you can take the variable of cartridge wear out of the equation. You’ll be spending many hours with a protractor, magnifier, eyes, fingers, and ears. You’ll be absorbing changes and re-tweaking as the set-up breaks in, and after 100+ hours of readjustments and break-in(if you’re lucky) you will be ready for critical judgment. Don’t confuse yourself with a potentially worn cartridge.
2channel8 - he is a nice person. An audio friend which many times is someone you did a few deals with and got to talking about audio and have things in common and life is good. He has been kind to me and I have returned the favor and then some because it is a nice thing to repay kindness with even more kindness. Something like trying out a friends NOS NIB cart to see if it is likable or works well with my gear is something that would need to be offered and not something I would ever ask of anyone. 

Don't get me wrong it would be great to try out the cart but not the type of thing I would ask.

The thing is I am sure he would let me if i asked because he is like that but even if he offered I would not accept the offer. Why, because if he was kind enough to offer that and I accepted then even if I hated it i would never return it so why even bother. Thats my take.   

That would make me uncomfortable and I avoid things that make me uncomfortable. I avoid things that cause me stress. I avoid things that could help me at the deference of someone else. Got to make sense for both and that is why I like doing trade deals and we have done quite a few of those.      

I like to ask advice on here because there are many smart and kind people that take the time to help me better understand things that I am not familiar with. 

Great thing really. Me, I am just looking to make better buying decisions and not for nothing but this site on so many occasions be it a DAC, AMP, PRE, Setup or Speakers or cables I have received fantastic feedback that is spot on from people with first hand knowledge of the items I have only read about and it has helped a great deal.

Thanks for the response and feedback. Just want to learn and enjoy the hobby. Chat with some new people, have some laughs without a worry in the world. 


dgarretson - very good point - remove a varaible were there are already so many that is one less to consider when dealing with it all. VERY good point in deed!