Pro-ject Essential + Stageline

Posted by: Ardbeg10y on 06 June 2016

Dear Naim Friends,

I need some advice and consider this place the best to ask for independent advice. I've bought a Supernait last year which has a CD5i + Chromecast Audio attached. CM1 Speakers. During daytime, its used for mid-fi kind of listening whilst I'm coding software.

I've discovered that it greatly relaxes me when I use the setup in the evening for concentrated listening to e.g. symphonies ... put chair on right spot, slightly turn speakers inwards, glas of red wine and this planet is somewhere halfway part 1 of a symphony a much better place.

Therefore I'd like to explore this more by adding a good source: a turntable. Since there are some good records in the family, this would be a pretty easy and relatively cheap way to go. My particular interest is in the Pro-ject Essential turntable.

At first, I'd like to buy the TT and a relatively cheap Phono Stage. In a later stage - when funds allow - I'd like to replace the relatively cheap Phono Stage with a Stageline.

I've been reading that the Stageline gets its energy from the Supernait. Is that true?

Also, I'd like to add a Hicap to the Supernait to feed it's pre-amp stage. Could I connect both the Stageline + the pre-amp stage of the Supernait to the same Hicap?

Has anyone experience on the Stageline + the Pro-ject Essential?

Thanks

Posted on: 06 June 2016 by PeterJ

I have a Pro-ject Debut Carbon and this, like the Essential, has its own phono amp and plugs straight into a line input, I don't listen to vinyl much but it sounds very good. So you wouldn't need a phono amplifier initially. Later on I'd think you'd be better off getting a better deck/cartridge before getting a stageline.

Posted on: 07 June 2016 by Michael Mccullough
Ardbeg10y posted:



"I've been reading that the Stageline gets its energy from the Supernait. Is that true?" 

Yes. Aux 2 input on the Supernait would power Stageline


"Also, I'd like to add a Hicap to the Supernait to feed it's pre-amp stage. Could I connect both the Stageline + the pre-amp stage of the Supernait to the same Hicap?"

No the Hicap can only power one device at a time. Either the stageline or Supernait. I'd put on Supernait. It will make everything better.

Never have used the Project TT with stageline. I have an RP6/Exact with Stageline N that works fantastic for me.

 

Posted on: 07 June 2016 by Ardbeg10y

Thanks for you replies. I've shifted my greedy eyes a bit more in the direction of the Rega RP3 - a higher startingpoint. It seems that many folks have these Rega's and the RP3 seems to be a good point where all sorts of upgrades are available.

Keep you posted.

Posted on: 08 June 2016 by joerand
Ardbeg10y posted:

the RP3 seems to be a good point where all sorts of upgrades are available.

There are all sorts of "tweaks" available for the RP3, but as far as Rega upgrades I think it's limited to the TTPSU, carts, the platter, and subplatter. Maybe include a white belt.

If you've got thoughts of upgrading a RP3 with any of the Rega options, especially the TTPSU, the better VFM alternative is to go with the RP6/Exact combo upfront. Otherwise you'll be building a RP3 into a RP6 and it's simply not cost effective.

Posted on: 08 June 2016 by hungryhalibut

If you get a RP3, you could also get a Rega phono stage, which matches perfectly. The Hicap will improve the Supernait, but an only power this one item. A Stageline would benefit nonetheless, as the Supernait would sound better. 

Posted on: 08 June 2016 by Eloise
PeterJ posted:

I have a Pro-ject Debut Carbon and this, like the Essential, has its own phono amp and plugs straight into a line input, I don't listen to vinyl much but it sounds very good. So you wouldn't need a phono amplifier initially. 

It sounds like the OP has moved on from considering the Pro-ject Essentials; but to clarify (afaik) not all versions of the Essentials turntable (as well as the Debut Carbon line) have built in phono stage.  There are (looking at Pro-ject website) currently three versions of the Essentials turntable - the Essentials II; the Essentials II Phono USB and the Essentials II DIGITAL.  

The basic Essentials II requires a separate phono stage; and personally I would recommend this to anyone who has any thoughts or upgrading as (again afaik) the built-in phono stage of the Phono USB and DIGITAL version cannot be bypassed to allow for upgrade.

As for the Rega ... the RP3 has recently been replaced by the Planar 3.  This would be a significant step up in cost (and performance) over the Pro-ject Essentials.  Somewhere in between would come the Planar 2 (also a new model for 2016).  In terms of costs: don't forget that the Rega turntables are typically listed without cartridge, where as the (lower end) Pro-ject turntables includes cartridge.

Posted on: 09 June 2016 by Ardbeg10y

I've just ordered the Pro-ject Debut Carbon DC (2Mred) and a separate PhonoStage PhonoBox E. I'm going to build up some listening experience regarding vinyl and see further with upgrades after that.