Interface Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I have a Thorens TD 190 with Ortofon OMB 10 cart. The phono pre amp 9v battery powered that I use is a no name brand and I think it cost me $26 about 10 years ago. In search of a better sound all round I was thinking of upgrading the phono pre to either Cambridge Audio CP2, Vincent PHO-08 or PHO-700. Apart from that should I change cart or change both or am I wasting my time with upgrading for this TT? Looking forward to your input. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 For a mere $150 I'll sell you my Hagerman Bugle 2, I'll even include postage just for you. It is in the classifieds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 3 minutes ago, Batty said: For a mere $150 I'll sell you my Hagerman Bugle 2, I'll even include postage just for you. It is in the classifieds. I'd have loved to buy it if I had my second table out for use :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Changing both at the same time is a bad idea. One thing at a time so that you can hear the difference.....................good or bad...........similar? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I used to own a dual cs 455-1 which is what that thorens is rebadged from. It is actually a really good auto turntable. I used to upgrade from grado black to denon dl110 and definitely enjoy the difference. omb10 is pretty good cartridge it's on the same level as an ortofon 2mred so I would suggest a better phono would be the go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interface Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 @LogicprObe, I agree with your statement. Thank you. @mloutfie, Thank you for giving me a background understanding and step by step advice. I was not sure where the OMB10 stood in regards to how good or bad it is or the TT. So I guess my next step is to decide what phono pre I want. I think out of my choices it would be pretty hard to go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hensa Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 14 minutes ago, Interface said: @LogicprObe, I agree with your statement. Thank you. @mloutfie, Thank you for giving me a background understanding and step by step advice. I was not sure where the OMB10 stood in regards to how good or bad it is or the TT. So I guess my next step is to decide what phono pre I want. I think out of my choices it would be pretty hard to go wrong. You could contact mwhouston and ask if he could build you one of his Mimic battery operated MM stages. Fantastic value (under $200) and slayed similarly priced commercial offerings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interface Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 Thanks Hensa, I'll look into it. I guess the more suggestions that are made the final decision gets harder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hensa Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Not sure where you are in Sydney, but you're welcome to borrow mine for a short test in your system if that might help. I'm up near Hornsby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryO Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 While not a option given its price point in my recent search for a phono stage I did see this. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Thorens-TEP-302-Phono-Pre-Amplifier/272749104061?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 I didn't know up until seeing the advert that Thorens made their own phono stage. Can't find one review on it so have no idea what it is like or how it compares. cheers Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interface Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 @Hensa, sent pm. @TerryO, I did not realise that Thorens made a phono pre either. Seem like they have at least 3 in their lineup. Yes a review is not an easy find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Don't forget the Graham Slee loaner program that is available through commercial member Keith @ Wyndham Audio. You could try one of the more entry level Slee phono stages. I have the Communicator and rate it highly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interface Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 Here's an update on getting a new phono. I bought a Mimic phono from Mark Houston. It arrived today. Took it home and played a track with the old phono then swapped to Mimic after waiting 5 minutes for warm up before using. Totally amazed! I had to turn down the volume down to equal the old phono. The bass changed to a clean punch, the sound floor dropped big time revealing an inky darkness where there is no sound. Everything cleaner and more defined. The more I play the better it sounds. Love it. A truly gob smacking bit of kit. Excellent value for money. I'm so happy. Thanks Mark. Cheers. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Good to hear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Another happy SNA ending........................please pass the tissues! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interface Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 Tissues? Of course, tears of happiness! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 As a thanks to the existence of SNA I'll make a small but thoughtful donation. I like to think we can all support and encourage each other here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 For the life of me I can't find the donation thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 1 hour ago, mwhouston said: For the life of me I can't find the donation thread. When you donate these days, it comes up in a sidebar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 1 hour ago, LogicprObe said: When you donate these days, it comes up in a sidebar. Yes but I can't find where to donate. Got a link. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 2 minutes ago, mwhouston said: Yes but I can't find where to donate. Got a link. No worries. http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/donate/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roumelio. Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 On 06/07/2017 at 9:01 PM, mloutfie said: I used to own a dual cs 455-1 which is what that thorens is rebadged from. It is actually a really good auto turntable. I used to upgrade from grado black to denon dl110 and definitely enjoy the difference. omb10 is pretty good cartridge it's on the same level as an ortofon 2mred so I would suggest a better phono would be the go. The Ortofon OM10 is definitely a pretty good cart, you can step up to the 20, but its not really nescessary. I agree with LogicprObe test each component separately, and see whether YOU can hear a difference. Hi-Fi is deeply personal like this. If you can't hear a noticeable difference then save yourself some money and don't buy a more expensive piece of kit. On the other hand, I have a cheap Behringer Phono amp, it probably does what it has to do. It's got RIAA approval, but it just sounds nasal and not very musical at all so its sitting on my shelf of things I should get rid of eventually. You don't want a lot of gear on that shelf particularly if its costing you good money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I use my Behringer phono for the kids' setup into active monitors. Sounds not too bad.......... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 2 hours ago, LogicprObe said: When you donate these days, it comes up in a sidebar. Yes but I can't find where to donate. Got a link. got it done thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts