Phono Stage

Hi there,

While I have a (somewhat) different system, I arrived at the same place as you. My weak link is my phono stage.  I have a Rega P10 and PS Audio Stellar Phono front end.  
I've developed a relationship with a dealer who has convinced me to buy the Sutherland Little Loco Mk2.  I purchased my TT from him, as well as a bunch of other stuff.  While he sells Rega, and strongly reps their TTs (I purchased the P10 from him), he is adamant about Sutherland being the best match.  He leant me the lesser KCVibe and that made me a believer.  

Reach out to carl at apexaudio dot com.  I'm sure he would be happy to discuss.

Hope this helps!

Bob

@signaforce 

I would highly advise against placing phono stage under or near any component but you can try and see if it works. 
I used to own Sutherland KC Vibe Mk2, then upgraded to 20/20 Mk2 LPS with Hana ML. Great combination. I now use Whest Two.2 and just upgraded from Hana ML to Umami Blue. I have about 4.5-5hrs on the Blue as I type this. 
I will describe the differences between phono stages first then go to cartridges…

Skipping Vibe Mk2…

With ML:

Sutherland 20/20 Mk2 LPS - clean, quiet, delicate, very good focus and instrument separation, musical, slightly reserved dynamics. 
Whest Two.2 - cleaner, more transparent, more dynamic, quieter but…more analytical at times depending on recording. Think of it as a Benchmark DAC if phono stage but with better musicality than the Benchmark DAC. 
Now I will throw another phono stage that I have listened to in my system with Hana ML - McIntosh MP100. It is not as quiet as the Whest but almost there, however, it beats, in my opinion, both the Sutherland and the Whest with better tonal saturation, articulation and expression, it is sweeter, just as detailed but more vibrant than either of the above amps. It shines with every genre of music except heavy metal but even then it sounds great. It has both RCA and balanced outs. 
 

Now to cartridges…

Hana ML is a really great cartridge. I loved it. But as good as the ML is, the Umami Blue is in a different league. The ML is polite up top in high frequencies, presents a more general view into the recording and its bass is nice but not very accurate. 
The Blue is an improvement in every area and even improves on the already excellent midrange. And this is just with around 5hrs of break in. 
 

So my recommendation would be to consider the cartridge upgrade. If you can swing both phono and cartridge even better. 


 

Also @signaforce I somehow thought you were using Kimber KS1116 interconnects. Or is that on DAC?

@numcwrt2 Yes, it would be a mkII. According to the AI’s, the little loco would be more dynamic than the 20/20, but the 20/20 but the 20/20;has better SN ratio. Thanks! 
@audphile1 The center channel speaker sits on an Aperta stand. The Sutherland’s would fit between the speaker and the rack without touching it. When not playing it is an inert object and should be no issue. 
You’re probably right on the cart upgrade, but if I was going to do that, probably should have gone with the P10, as I think the P8/ML match is very good. Maybe someday, but my vinyl play is only about 10% of my listening.  
The Whest looks very good, thanks. 
Yes, I have the KS1116 on my DAC. When I bought the P8, I also bought the KS1018 used. Same all copper cable, except RCA and 2 extra copper wires (8 vs 6). Someone special ordered it.