Having a phono stage with on the fly adjustable gain is a huge plus. And one with a separate power supply is even better.
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+1 Although off topic. I agree. Turntable support and isolation can significantly improve the performance of a turntable. Well, while not to the same extent, isolation to a phono stage can improve the sonics. I have used Black Diamond Racing shelves and cones and better yet Silent Running Isolation platform. Lower cost solutions are out there. But this would be after a phono stage upgrade. |
ANYTHING PHONO: think ’preferred’, not better. Thus, look for choices/changes/options that allow returns. IF you can try/return the Rega Fono, why not, you will learn more about your NAD 33’s MM Phono by any comparison. However, I suggest you think long, and think about eventual use of a Moving Coil Cartridge, consider new boron cantilevers, perhaps eventually risk vintage cartridges to try sapphire or my recent favorite beryllium cantilevers. either a SUT to keep using your existing MM stage in your NAD 33 (or any future MM Phono Stage) a Phono Stage with MC and MM capability. Next, you need some optional settings for cartridge variations: different gain settings, and different impedance settings, even better if those are independant. Also, consider removable headshells or eventually two tonearms, in which case you need to solve switching from one arm to the other. I didn’t plan on going this far, but with help here, and lots of luck (after a lot of research) I ended up with a great plinth, quartz locked direct drive, 2, then 3 tonearms, now all with removable headshells, a small collection of MM and MC cartridges (new and vintage) and a SUT with 3 front selectable inputs, a few optional settings for MC, and PASS for MM (or High Output MC) The more Jazz you listen to, so many greats made recordings prior to 1958 when Stereo LP’s began, and Mono LP’s definitely benefit (a bit, some, a whole lot) from True Mono Cartridges. I don’t NEED it, but my ability to play and instantly switch/compare stereo/mono/my or my friend’s cartridges: I got there bit by bit and I’m loving it. |
How are your cartridge alignment skills? We need the confidence to know when things are 'right'. You will benefit for the rest of your life if you acquire a few tools, research, and practice doing it yourself. I'm 77, so I went from zero skills, flip over needles, to pretty darn quick, and help my friends, teaching them over the years I just pasted a list of inexpensive tools and my simple methods to mount and align in this discussion https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/anti-skate-weight-better-sound-without-it |
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