metal beat 19,715 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 I would be good for all to post their phono stages and cartridges that us vinyl dudes are using. Does not matter how cheap or expensive, its the vinyl enjoyment that matters and will be interesting to see what is popular. I think the Nighthawk F117 will be damm close to the most popular phono stage , and rightly so given the great pricing coupled great sound. cartridges - denon 103 - maybe ? phono first, cart's later. Newest edition to listening stable - almost vintage Luxman E-06 from 1987. The only SS item I have and it sounds smooth, powerful with a density that is addictive. Choice of 2 x MC and 1 x MM inputs. TW Acustic phono - 3 x MC input with on the fly resistance loading adjustment. Pretty neutral sounding, great extension with that tube magic. Leben phono and Ortofon verto SUT. fast toe tapping musical tube phono, not the last word in bass impact that couples sweetly with SUT's. classik tube cj EV-1 phono from the early 2000's which is nimble, open with tight bass and mates well with MM's as well as mid loutput MC's. Always snapped up on the s/h market and I can hear why. Link to post Share on other sites
GregWormald 1,738 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Sorry--no pictures-- Phono stage is the moving coil option in my ME15 pre-amp. Cartridge is a Linn Troika, renovated and re-tipped by Len Gregory "The Cartridge Man" Greg Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,715 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Greg, Kool, I luv the Troika. I am lucky enough to be borrowing one on my LP12/Naim ARO at the moment. re-tipped by ESC. Is the troika actually re-tipped by Len Gregory? some rumours have it is done by Goldring and other rumous done by ESC?? Link to post Share on other sites
GregWormald 1,738 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 I sent mine direct to Len. Linn AFAIK does not offer a re-tip service and they never re-conditioned them. Greg Link to post Share on other sites
valvelover 405 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 My Lyra Clavis. :-) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Batty 5,074 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Sweet.I have a Goldring 1042 feeding the Phono stage of a Copland CSA14. I also have a pair of Morite SUTs that I'm going to make up a box with adjustable loading. Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators proftournesol 8,458 Posted April 2, 2011 Moderators Share Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) I have the cheapest and simplest of the SoundSmith Strain Gauge phono amps. The left hand switch is on/off, the right hand one turns on the auto-mute function: when it detects no motion, it cuts the sound from the cartridge. This lessens the noise when lowering the cartridge or lifting it.The screw on the cartridge is to allow azimuth adjustment on the cartridge body itself in case you have a tonearm that doesn't allow for it. If you look carefully you can see that the stylus assembly is removable - great idea that saves money. The blue lights are a bit of bling that's not really to my taste but I suppose as the cartridge is powered, it's too good an opportunity to pass up for some:) Edited March 16, 2014 by Marc 3 Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,715 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30372[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30373[/ATTACH] My Lyra Clavis. :-) Nice, the Clavis is 20 years old now. have you had it since new, or something recent, re tipped - do Lyra do rebuilds? IMO the clavis and Parnassus look a lot better than the current Lyra's. can't comment on sound as last Lyra I heardwas a helikon. Link to post Share on other sites
fatgen 48 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nice !!TW-acustic, Luxman plus CJ!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,715 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nice !!TW-acustic, Luxman plus CJ!!!! thanks FG, so how bout some pics of your stuff ?? Link to post Share on other sites
fatgen 48 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 TT: will do post a few after the dinner tonite (if not gonna drink too much) Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Bodhisattva Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) Hi all, having just recently turned to the 'dark side', I thought i'd share some pics of my new phono stage - the Bladelius Heimdal. For the older audiophiles amongst us, you might recognize the name. The President/Chief Designer of Bladelius is none other than Mike Bladelius. Mike designed the legendary Threshold Class A amps back in the 80's and went on to be Chief Consulting Designer for Classe. The Heimdal is a balanced solid state phono stage constructed with impeccable build quality and delivers excellent sound. The things I like about this phono stage? It is one of the few phono stages which has balanced inputs and outputs, and is 'true balanced', does not hold back in the power supply and responds well to tweaks. Made in Sweden. Super clean, open, dynamic sound and just seems to be a perfect match with the FB. Fully adjustable inputs to match any pick up type or load, and although it is a bit sparing for features and published information, the bottom line for me is, it's plain good value. Cheers, Bodhi ps: the coffee table is still for sale Edited April 2, 2011 by Bodhisattva Link to post Share on other sites
fatgen 48 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30397[/ATTACH] Linn Linto phono Link to post Share on other sites
fatgen 48 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30399[/ATTACH] Accuphase C240 Preamp with 2 MC/MM inputs [ATTACH=CONFIG]30398[/ATTACH] Accuphase C265 with 2 AD-10 MM/CC phone stage cards 2 Link to post Share on other sites
fatgen 48 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 :hiccupGee......I still am SNAing after 2 bottle of Riesling (with DrW) Link to post Share on other sites
cheekyboy 4,076 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Well, no Nighthawk yet TT, so I may as well be the first. Here's my two phono stages...........GSP Era Gold Reflex and the F-117 Nighthawk. Cheers, Keith 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Bodhisattva Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30399[/ATTACH]Accuphase C240 Preamp with 2 MC/MM inputs [ATTACH=CONFIG]30398[/ATTACH] Accuphase C265 with 2 AD-10 MM/CC phone stage cards Which is your favourite phono stage FG? Bodhi Link to post Share on other sites
valvelover 405 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Nice, the Clavis is 20 years old now. have you had it since new, or something recent, re tipped - do Lyra do rebuilds? IMO the clavis and Parnassus look a lot better than the current Lyra's. can't comment on sound as last Lyra I heardwas a helikon. I got it 2nd hand way back in '99. It's been lightly used by myself since I've had it, and was lightly used by the previous owner I believe. When I sent it down to Sydney to get it all put on my new Clearaudio Champion Level II table, the guys said that the Right hand suspension is starting to go. So, a new cartridge shortly I guess. I do not believe Lyra retips, which is silly really. I do not like the look of the new Lyras either. As Lyra do not re-tip, I will probably steer clear of their cartridges and try another brand. I personally find that what Lyra does is very poor after service. I guess they want to maximise their profits... Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators proftournesol 8,458 Posted April 3, 2011 Moderators Share Posted April 3, 2011 I got it 2nd hand way back in '99. It's been lightly used by myself since I've had it, and was lightly used by the previous owner I believe. When I sent it down to Sydney to get it all put on my new Clearaudio Champion Level II table, the guys said that the Right hand suspension is starting to go. So, a new cartridge shortly I guess. I do not believe Lyra retips, which is silly really. I do not like the look of the new Lyras either. As Lyra do not re-tip, I will probably steer clear of their cartridges and try another brand. I personally find that what Lyra does is very poor after service. I guess they want to maximise their profits... You can always send it to Garrott Brothers. They always do an excellent job. Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy 2,669 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 (edited) You did say "doesn't matter if it's cheap". So here's mine. Not a dedicated phono stage just my pre-amp; A NAD 116 which has MM & MC swirtching And the cart is an old Empire 2000E/lll. Also have 2 AT95E's The pic of the Empire is a Googled one, mine has an original red stylus with guard. my camera skills are not good Edited April 3, 2011 by Grumpy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Hergest 5,015 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 I've got the MC stage in my ME 15 pre that i used exclusively for a couple of years. It sounded best when i ran a Van Den Hul MC10 Special through it. Since 2001 though this Plinius M 14 has sat in the background and sounded excellent regardless of what cartridge i've used. Monumental but always tight bass is probably the standout trait. It can sound a little bit dry with some cartridges but that's the only thing i'd ever put my finger on that wasn't what i wanted. I've never had any urge to try a different ss phono stage. The NVA Phono 2 that i use in the study system. The worst phono stage, in fact the worst piece of electronics i've ever used regarding RFI. I've got it sat at the bottom of the turntable stand on a couple of blocks of wood and it sounds neutral with excellent detail and bass and the sound belies its low price. Loads of lovely quiet gain. If it sits 2 inches higher though it picks up a hum from the Densen amp, any lower and picks up hum from something else. If i walk in the room with a mobile phone that happens to ring the whole system collapses in a racket of beeps and pulses. Fortunately the leads from the very hefty power supply are long so you can at least site it far away from that but there's no way in a million years you could stack it on top or alongside another component that had an electrical signal going through it. The body is plastic. Cartridges. Denon DL 304. My 3rd or maybe 4th over the years. It's a ripper as long as you can get enough clean gain. Nagaoka MP 300. Good and exciting and rich and toe tapping. Loses out badly to the MCs in detail and air. Ortofon Cadenza Black. Replaced my second Ortofon Jubilee as it seemed the natural replacement from Ortofon. I prefer the Jubilee in my system as the Cadenza can have a rather unpleasant shrillness to it. I think the system in fact might be holding back the cartridge or it might just not be my cup of tea. An Ortofon 320 U that i use on a Technics SL3 linear tracker that i bought new in 1982 or thereabouts that i use exclusively for singles in the study. Sounds like 1982. That is not a bad thing. Oh yes, i run the Technics SL3 through the phono stage of this lovely old Sansui A40 and then into the Densen via the tape loops. VU meters rock my jocks and i'll often run a signal through that amp just to have the meters showing Link to post Share on other sites
Hergest 5,015 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Leben phono and Ortofon verto SUT. fast toe tapping musical tube phono, not the last word in bass impact that couples sweetly with SUT's. Interesting. I've been looking at the Leben for quite a while as it seems a sensibly priced way to get into a quality tubed phono pre, it's good to see someone who has got one. I might be picking your brains in 6 months or so's time:>) Link to post Share on other sites
Tobes 433 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Not a separate phono stage but very nice as a bundled extra: ARC SP16 MM phono stage (3 tubes on the right of the pic). MC signal boosted by Bob's Devices SUT: At the moment I'm using a few different 103r cartridges - here are two in the Uwe Panzerholz and Midas aluminium bodies, both with stock stylus/cantilever. Link to post Share on other sites
DarrenW 0 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 TT should recognise my phono stage:D Sounds great! [ATTACH=CONFIG]30419[/ATTACH] Ortofon 2M Blue on an RPM 5 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30420[/ATTACH] Denon DL160 that spends time on my LP12 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30421[/ATTACH] And a AT-OC9 MLII that also spends time on the Linn [ATTACH=CONFIG]30422[/ATTACH] Sorry about the crappy pics, as my mobile is the only camera I own........ Hope to get a modded 103 to add to the collection soon. Link to post Share on other sites
NeilNZ 287 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30423[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30424[/ATTACH] I also have a Leben RS30EQ, and am using a Benz Micro Wood H2 cartridge at the moment, and very nice it is too! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
jaspert 195 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Love the big vintage Luxman and understated Leben phono. Some other nice gears on show from the others. Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,715 Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Love the big vintage Luxman and understated Leben phono. Some other nice gears on show from the others. Jasper. ta, but I think most of us are waiting to see your pics Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Bodhisattva Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Love the big vintage Luxman and understated Leben phono. Some other nice gears on show from the others. A second on the Leben :nana They make great value gear. The headphone amps built into their CS-300XS & CS-600 integrateds are widely recognized as some of the best in the biz. Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,715 Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 now for some cartridges Ortofon A90. sophisticated and always under control - my go to cartridge Technics EPC P100 Mk4 - NOS last year - flatline frequency response and similary neutral - the best MM ever and a great cartridge period Dynavector XV-1, my reference from around 2001 to just before the A90. in need of a dynavector rebuild for the 3rd time. Ortofon SPU Royal. the SPU sound is intoxicating and they luv SUT's Ebony wood body Denon 103R - a classik cartridge with some added smoothness Very neutral, highly detailed but never bright and slightly laid back Denon DL-S1 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Bodhisattva Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30423[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30424[/ATTACH]I also have a Leben RS30EQ, and am using a Benz Micro Wood H2 cartridge at the moment, and very nice it is too! Well done Neil, you've built a lovely system with proven high end gear. I especially like the warm tone of your Leben components & Benz cart against the rich timber of your cabinet...good stuff :nana Link to post Share on other sites
jaspert 195 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Jasper. ta, but I think most of us are waiting to see your pics No pics. A few to service all the turntable, tonearms and cartridges. Allnic Audio H1500SE II LCR tube phono ( 4 input - 2MM and 2 MC) K&K Audio Maxxed Out tube phono (2 input - MM and MC) Musical Surroundings Supernova ( 4 input) Supratek Chenin preamp build in tube phono (single MC) Ray Samuel Audio Nighthawk (MM/MC) Nakamichi CA-7 pre ( build in MM and MC phono - rec out ) Link to post Share on other sites
NeilNZ 287 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Well done Neil, you've built a lovely system with proven high end gear. I especially like the warm tone of your Leben components & Benz cart against the rich timber of your cabinet...good stuff :nana Cheers! It was a big change from the Dyn C4/Pass/Shindo stuff I had before, but I have to admit I am enjoying it even more! Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Good Vibe 209 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 No pics. A few to service all the turntable, tonearms and cartridges.Allnic Audio H1500SE II LCR tube phono ( 4 input - 2MM and 2 MC) K&K Audio Maxxed Out tube phono (2 input - MM and MC) Musical Surroundings Supernova ( 4 input) Supratek Chenin preamp build in tube phono (single MC) Ray Samuel Audio Nighthawk (MM/MC) Nakamichi CA-7 pre ( build in MM and MC phono - rec out )[/QUO I think for your health and focus you need to reduce the numbers jaspert;) Link to post Share on other sites
Gutty 3 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Don't have a photo of my actual unit so i pinched this of the net. Dynevactor P75 MK II [ATTACH=CONFIG]30435[/ATTACH] This time a pic of my actual cart. Ortofon Kontrapunkt A [ATTACH=CONFIG]30436[/ATTACH] Won't get into the nitty gritty, but will say together they produce a sound i enjoy a lot. Link to post Share on other sites
jaspert 195 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 I think for your health and focus you need to reduce the numbers jaspert;) Wise words, especially the part on loss of focus. I'm trimming them down. Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Good Vibe 209 Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Ha Jaspert are you trimming the Allnic Audio H1500SE II LCR ? Ok I won't cause any trouble here with my selection but would like your thoughts on the Allnic. Thinking of a four box unit too nuts to talk about but hmmmm. Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,715 Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Ha Jaspert are you trimming the Allnic Audio H1500SE II LCR ?Ok I won't cause any trouble here with my selection but would like your thoughts on the Allnic. Thinking of a four box unit too nuts to talk about but hmmmm. Cmon Good Vibe, list what you have that gives you enjoyment :-) Link to post Share on other sites
davidsss 846 Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 I haven't had a chance to take pics but here are mine: Phono Stage RCM Sensor Prelude (stock pics from the 'net): Same as mine except mine is black. Cartridge Blue Angel Mantis in Tulip Wood - the only one in Tulip Wood as far as I know. Pics are from my gallery on the Vinyl Engine: Great combo for me at least. Love the Blue Angel and although the RCM cost more than I was looking to pay it is likely my last phono stage, which is why I was willing to spend the money! Jasper, how is the Allnic? I listened to a low model in their range and it was magic on some music but not so good on other music. Can't remember the model number I listened to but I did think some of their better models might get it all right and that would be quite something. DS Link to post Share on other sites
Rural Rat 195 Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Running the SNA default option ATM. DL103/Nighthawk. Also use Garrott Optim, Shure M75B. Other phono stages CA640P. Built in MM/MC on my Yamaha AX400 and a super cheapie Jaycar when required. Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators wolster 4,788 Posted April 4, 2011 Moderators Share Posted April 4, 2011 Onboard phono stage in my Linn Kairn preamp. A synergistic solution that sounds good and has future upgrade options. [ATTACH=CONFIG]30438[/ATTACH] and Supex SDX-1000 [ATTACH=CONFIG]30440[/ATTACH] 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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