Showing my ignorance here.

Tom

So which one is the most important or which one should be bought first.

Regards

Mick

Mick,

If you do not have a phono stage (either separate or built into your preamp/integrated amp/receiver) then you will not be able to listen to anything from the turntable. The phono stage contians the RIAA equilisation network necessary to reproduce the information from the record).

If the turntable does not have a power supply (virutally all have an internal or captive PSU) then it will not work. Suffice it to say that if you have turntable sans power cord then you need a PSU. Most high end turntables have optional external PSUs that can bought as an upgrade.

Cheers

Mick

in theory the PSU is much more desirable than a Phono Stage as it is important to get the speed stability as true as possible ie a Linn Lingo or Naim Armagedon on an LP12 before a Linn Linto or Naim Prefix for an LP12. The order of importance is turntable, PSU, arm, cartridge then Phono stage.

Cheers

Spike

Mick

Are you thinking about something specific to use with your Garrard? Or to add something to your preamp?

I think the answer depends on what your starting point is, and what you are trying to achieve......... but in my limited experience adding a Lingo power supply to my LP12 was a very significant upgrade.

I was using a 42.5 then and I'm "only" using an 82 with normal S boards now.

One vote for the PSU I suppose.

Chris

Hi - just like to add my tuppence worth...
1. If you haven't got a phono stage then you can't use your record player. Two options: (a) your preamp has phono cards in it, in which case you connect your record player up to the phono & earth sockets, (b) you get an external unit that you connect your record player to, which in turn connects to one of the line-level inputs in your preamp. Note that the phono stages can depend upon the cartridge in your record player - ie. you need a different one for Moving Magnet or Moving Coil.
2. If you switch on your record player and it goes around then you have a PSU. However some TT manufacturers (eg. Linn) supply their product with a basic power supply inbuilt, but give you the option of replacing it with an esternal Power Supply Unit (eg. Linn Lingo). This unit typically aims to provide a smoother supply to the motor that drives the turntable.
Hope that's helpful...

Paul Rowlands

Chaps

Thanks for the information. Just to explain, I have a Garrard 401 linked into a 52 with S boards. This works well and sounds great.

The 401 is currently with Loricraft who are going to fit an Aro. The deal which we have struck is convoluted and a part of it is that I buy a Loricraft PSU.

Terry Sullivan knows what he is talking about and although he makes a PSU for the Loricraft, he does not bother with a phono stage.

I am just keeping my fingers crossed that all this brings about a great sound.

If it does sound good, I could go for a phono stage as well.

Regards

Mick

Patrick

Nothing wrong with being a cynic by the way.

No such deal on plugging Loricraft.

So far Loricraft have done well for me, they serviced the 401 and supplied a plinth which dramatically improved the sound. Those who have heard my current set all say it is up with a good LP12.

The next upgrade (when it gets done) is the fitting of an Aro and then the PSU.

If it fails to meet expectations, then the Aro gets put up for sale and I will go for either a Schroeder or a SME1V. So there might be a brand new Aro up for sale. My loyalty is first of all to my ears.

As regards to the Loricraft phono stage, I must admit Terry has never mentioned it to me. I shall discuss it with him next week. Thanks for pointing it out.

I will be away from a pc for a few days so I will let you know what he says about it towards the end of next week.

Regards

Mick

Thanks

I will check this out with Naim when I get back next Wednesday.

Regards

Mick

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Russell:
Both the Prefix and Stagleline are pretty inexpensive and offer great vfm. I paid only $450 for a used Prefix.

A lot of the potential of your 52 is going to waste without a Prefix/Stageline. Adding a Prefix/Stageline with a dedicated supply (HiCap/Supercap) will also improve the sound of your CDs. Removing the S boards will put less demand on the Supercap supplying your 52 and will thus allow the 52 to perform better on all sources.

---

Which is the better component, the Stageline or the Prefix?

Thanks mark

Bump

Ouch!

P

Mick,

My understanding is that the PSU that Loricraft have engineered brings down the noise floor of the deck significantly. The old PSU in the 401 itself is a very basic affair. The ARO should bring soe interesting improvements too. Since you're doing both things at the same time, it will be difficult for you to figure out which improvements come from where, but it will be very interesting for us to see know what you find.

Once this has all settled down, you may wish to consider one of the many phono stages out there on the market.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Chaps

I have taken Marks advice and have a Prefix on order which should take a couple of weeks to arrive and then Loricraft will fit the thing.

So unfortunately it will delay the return of the 401 by a week or two.

So I am now looking out for a knackered Hicap to get serviced.

I just hope all this is worth the trouble.

Regards

Mick

You can obviously start by powering the Prefix from the Supercap via your 52. This is an elegant solution and avoids yet another box.

Paul