@ghdprentice what is is about the P8 with Apheta that you feel is the better match?
As for your comments about my stated goals not really matching well with what the analog will bring to my system (and my ears), you certainly have my attention. I guess i need to get my expectations correct here. It seems you are saying if my goal is greater resolution, then this is not the best path to take, at least not in my priced range. If that is the case (and I realize this is a very generic question) then why do so many audiophiles swear by vinyl? They are perceiving some other attribute than what I am after perhaps? Maybe what I'm asking is: what would be valid reasons for adding an analog input source to my system?
TT and phono preamp - what best match for my system
I need some expert advice for me to take the plunge into analog finally after years of digital streaming based components. Would very much appreciate ideas on what TT and phono preamp combo might possibly best complement my existing system. I do have a HiFi Buys near me (Nashville) and have recently purchased Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator’s from them. Good folks there, so I would consider purchasing this setup through them. I can spend up to 7-10k (if i push it) USD.
My goal here: to go analog and add a highly resolving analog source that will push the boundaries and maybe exceed the capabilities of the rest of my components, to set me up for future improvements.
Here’s my existing system:
- Denafrips Ares 2 DAC (being fed from a Mac mini where i run Qobuz.. i know i know. this is a pretty crap streamer. The Denafrips turns even this substandard streaming source into something quite nice)
The DAC feeds into a Parasound JC2BP Preamp which in turn feeds a Parasaound A21+. I own two sets of mains, Magnepan 1.7i’s which i truly love for their clarity/soundstage/resolution, however i’ve also gone an recently bought the Sonus Fabers and am mostly running them now, for two main reasons 1) they are not cat trees (we have three cats and they see the Maggies as a climbing post.. i haven’t figured out how to solve this one yet, and 2) since this system is in the living room and main part of the house and used for literally everything including movies and casual listening, the dynamic nature of traditional cone speakers i think works well here. The Maggies strained a little in this general use (but frankly they beat the Lumina V’s when it comes to pure resolution). In any case I’m quite happy with the Lumina V’s.
Aside: I do also have a pair of KEF LS50W2’s but that’s not a factor here.. i use them elsewhere and probably wont be hooking them to the analog source.
All this being said, here is what I am thinking.. where i am leaning. Tell me if I’m crazy or misguided or sound, or somewhere in between ;)
Rega Planar 7 + Parasound JC3+ phono preamp
PS: Unrelated to analog, I am considering adding a pair of REL T/9x's to the mains to add bottom.. either when using the SF Lumina V's or the Maggie 1.7i's. Which ever i'm runnign i'd run the RELs along with them.
I’m sure I will get some comments about depending too much on Parasound and that’s fair. I have owned my pre and power amp about 8 years now and just simply like them and like the brand so I’m a bit partial. But this is why i’m asking here.. does this pairing make any sense (Claude seems to think so lol but he’s not you folks)
Hope i gave enough information to be useful. Happy to answer questions and thanks ahead of time for the responses
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If you can make the reach, I agree with @ghdprentice concerning the P8/Apheta. You will get good sound with the P6, great sound that you will not likely outgrow with the P8. The Parasound and REL stuff is all good. |
OP, FIrst, so many audiophiles swear by vinyl because for most of the last seventy years it was true. Only over the last ten years has digital eclipsed vinyl. First at fairly levels (like $20K / component) then moving up and down the tiers until in most categories digital sound better for roughly the same money. It is only over the last ten years it became obvious the sound of analog or digital is in the components you use to play them back and not innate in the media itself. So now you can put together a system where the digital is warmer and more natural sounding than the analog and analog is more detailed and fatiguing. While a long while back vinyl was more detailed, it was primarily loved for its natural sound more so than detail. The advent of the CD out did vinyl in most systems at midlevel and budget system on bass, noise floor and detail. But it was not natural sounding... at all. I have a very good digital and analog leg in my main system and they sound virtually identical. This is because I chose the components for musical and natural presentation... as if I was in the concert hall. There is more variation in vinyl because they depend on how close to the first pressing was on the stamper... the first ones off sound much better than the 1,000th or 2,000th. So there is more variation. Then you have cleaning to make sure they are clean. Then you have vinyl noise floor. Until you get to around $2.5K cartridge that doesn’t disappear A friend of mine who listens to vinyl extensively and has for decades and called me recently really shocked that with his new $2.5K cartridge the noise floor just dropped away. He had not idea that was possible as he had been using $500~$1K cartridges for year. I bought my first +$2.5K (this is an approximation) about thirty years ago, my mouth dropped open, I could not believe it was possible... exactly the same reaction my friend had. As far as the Rega. The table arm and cartridge are made for each other. They are not overly analytical sounding... which with would complement your system. I personally am not a Rega fan, but I think given your system, it would be the right choice. As far as a valid reason to add analog to your system. You like the idea of vinyl... the expense and inconvenience or just for some historic reason. If you want a better sounding system then you want to invest in your digital side. |
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