Having flexibility is key to fine tuning the sound.
Couldn't agree more!
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!
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- 96 posts total
@mdalton |
@audphile1 Maybe just a little aggressive there. I didn’t actually say that. The math is a little complicated, but the way an SNR calculation works for a system, at low gain, downstream noise (e .g., preamp noise) dominates and you get worse SNR. At very high gain, noise essentially becomes independent of gain theoretically (as you hit the intrinsic limit of the phono stage). Alas, no free lunch, as too much gain results in clipping, overhead compression, etc. That’s why you try for the sweet spot.
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The Aria is an outstanding phono stage, maybe the try one of the cartridges in Rega's extensive line which would be more appropriate for the Planar 8. Also think about fixing your room layout which would be more acceptable for stereo. Its not all about wife acceptance factor or having the sectional positioned for TV viewing but rather symmetry. Big audible improvement! |
- 96 posts total