If you want to put a little tubieness into the mix, I really like my phono preamp the Icon Audio PS1 MKII. It supports very low MC cartridge as it has >70 db gain. I use the Ortofon Quintet Black. Sounds great through the preamp. I use the Denon DP 3000NE. I recommend this turntable as it is a great Direct Drive device.
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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Let’s not be so hasty. I think you ought to try Vinyl, don’t let everything I and others mentioned put you off entirely. I just wanted to keep you from spending a LOT of money and possibly regretting it. AT140 with VM740ML (Turntable Labs or Guitar Center) is less than $1,000. Not chump change, but if you keep it and use it some, you might be very glad to have it as a part of your system. Sell it, lose $200. that’s not too bad for the experience. ///////////////////////////// As I said, the current AT-120X arm is not height adjustable. That’s not terrible, but it is something to be aware of, and ascertain about any TT you might consider. It’s only $400. with an elliptical stylus, and upgradable to MicroLine stylus if you stick with it. A whole lot of members here have and love their cartridges with elliptical stylus. Again, I only mentioned it so you were aware of the built-in upgrade, some cartridges are not upgradeable.
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Dear @trebuchet : Velodyne is way way better subs that REL. I owned and still own Velodyne. Look the Velodyne develops only 0.5% THD and this is a great achievement when all the other subs including REL are over 10% and only the Magico even Velodyne in this critical subject but the price of each Magico is over 80K ! ! .
You are totally safe with Velodyne. R. |
@viridian My Post is declaring my advocacy for the use of the Vinyl Source. Your own post prompts me to state that I am also a disciplined advocate for optimising the function of the Vinyl Source, as well as the ancillaries required to create critical mechanical interfaces. I have my own epithet for the critical mechanical interface, "Trilogy of Ancillaries" It doesn't stop at the mechanics used to enable the replays; there is still structure for propping the Mechanics in use to enable a Vinyl Source to be replayed. The Signal Path borne from the Groove Modulus > Stylus interface, where the Groove condition and geometry needed to be considered, becomes a whole new dimension for learning, as the Theta really does matter. Much better individuals in adeptness than I have, over many, many years, have been introducing me to electronic designs for adding gain to the produced signal. A truckload of learning is on board, and plenty of go-to's from another era are now forgotten to the notion of "when I was a boy". I feel compelled to encourage the OP to see where their already adopted desire for creating replays will head when comparing the funds needed to build up a Vinyl Source in their system. As a wild suggestion, but not without merit. I would have a wager an exchange Speaker, when very carefully selected and used with the current Source and supporting ancillaries, would knock the OP out of the ballpark, leaving the want to replay Vinyl as a Source as an idea to go on hold. |
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