Phono Stage
I am getting near the end of my current system journey. I have my digital (streaming) side set (for now). It sounds glorious to my old hearing aid assisted ears. And streaming is where I spend the vast majority of my listening.
Regardless, I am now focusing on vinyl, with the recent addition of a P8.
My analog side: Rega P8 w/ Hana ML > Rega Aria > Kimber KS1018 > BHK pre > Zavfino Fusion mk2 > Moon 330A > Transparent + > KEF Ref 3’s. If do a weak link analysis both chatGPT & Gemini say it my phono stage.
So looking for potential replacements. As always I am very space constrained, (half wides are perfect) no tubes and looking to stay under $3,000 used. I like accuracy, clarity & cleanliness.
My current candidates:
Rega AOS
Gold Note PH10
Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Sutherland Little Loco
The Sutherland’s work because they are thin and con fit under my raised center channel speaker. The duo stack is too high
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
OP, There was a recent thread about using shims with Rega Arms, because the arms are designed around their lower than most 14mm high cartridges, and are NOT height adjustable. To preserve VTA/SRA with a Hana ML (quick search says it is 16.3mm high), adding a 2mm shim is advised. I wonder what you and others are doing? This clever design slips in without having to disconnect the arm’s wires https://www.acoustic-signature.com/products/accessories/rega-spacer-set/
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@OP Your Hana ML (MC) cartridge requires significant gain, ideally 60db or higher. What that means is you need a Phono preamp that exceeds 60db. While 60db may be the sweet spot match for your phono/cartridge marriage, unless you have a higher gain level in your preamp to try, you will never know. If you ask Gemini where the sweet spot is with reference to your Hana ML and a phono preamp, it will return with an answer between 60-68db. Hence, you would be stuck with one setting. Not an ideal situation. The McIntosh MP-100 maxes out at 60db (MC). The Sutherland goes up to 64db (MC), the Gold Note 65db (Up to 71) (MC) and the Little Loco is set at Medium (58db) and if you select High (64db) - no inbetween settings to try. The Rega AOS has a 63.5 setting and a 69.5 settings, but matches gain for Rega cartridges, so it is likely not your best candidate since you are not using Rega cartridges. |
@elliottbnewcombjr Yes, used the Rega 2mm SS shim. The slide in shims would be great for those who swap cartridges. Thanks. For various reasons, I am down to 3: Sutherland Little Loco, Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS, Moon 310LP. I am probably going with the Little Loco mk2. But can be convinced otherwise, as IMHO there are no bad choices here. Thanks
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@goodlistening64 I am relatively new to this hobby, so not certain I got your point. You said is having multiple options at the 60db or above is preferable, and of the potential candidates, only Gold Note & Rega satisfies that requirement. |
