Phono Stages
Posted by: Jonners on 25 August 2018
Greetings all. I will apologise in advance for seeking comments on what is probably a very boring subject. I have a 12 year old Naim system I like very much based around a CDX2 powered by a 200/282 combo. A new member to this threesome is joining soon - an LP12 with an AT MM cart. I am wondering if there are alternatives to the Stageline anyone would recommend I listen to before parting with more cash.
Ah.. understanding dawns......the thread now makes sense - to me! (I’ve got 523S cards in my 82)
Jonners posted:Greetings all. I will apologise in advance for seeking comments on what is probably a very boring subject. I have a 12 year old Naim system I like very much based around a CDX2 powered by a 200/282 combo. A new member to this threesome is joining soon - an LP12 with an AT MM cart. I am wondering if there are alternatives to the Stageline anyone would recommend I listen to before parting with more cash.
I have a Rothwell MM Simplex phonostage that I use with a AT VM540ML cart - they work very well together. If you want the ability to handle MC as well, then Rothwell do a Rialto MM/MC phonostage which has an extra moving coil gain stage or get the Simplex & then get a moving coil step-up transformer.
PSAN posted:A quick update on my home demo of the Trichord Dino mk 3 phono stage with the Dino+ power supply and the high performance connecting cable. Overall it's better than my Fono MC, as it should be. The Dino is quieter, has more detail, a wider soundstage and the lower registers have more authority. The Dino also has a little more energy in the treble, but not overly so. It's also more transparent. Overall I very much like what I'm hearing, and will be listening some more over the next couple of days - but I think I've found my new phono stage.
PSAN posted:A quick update on my home demo of the Trichord Dino mk 3 phono stage with the Dino+ power supply and the high performance connecting cable. Overall it's better than my Fono MC, as it should be. The Dino is quieter, has more detail, a wider soundstage and the lower registers have more authority. The Dino also has a little more energy in the treble, but not overly so. It's also more transparent. Overall I very much like what I'm hearing, and will be listening some more over the next couple of days - but I think I've found my new phono stage.
hi psan thanks for your input. i am new to vinyl. so need all the help i can get LOL . have you tried a dedicated main lead. to your trichord dino + i found it made a difference in a good way
Davie R posted:
hi psan thanks for your input. i am new to vinyl. so need all the help i can get LOL . have you tried a dedicated main lead. to your trichord dino + i found it made a difference in a good way
Not yet but I will at a later stage. I'm pretty sure any good mains lead will make a positive difference.
hi span thanks for your input . i am new to vinyl so need as much help as i can get. LOL have you tried a dedicated main lead on your trichord dino +. i found a difference when i used one. what tt do you use
Davie R posted:what tt do you use
Linn LP12 Akurate (as mentioned in my profile).
What's the latest?
Christopher_M posted:What's the latest?
If from me then I'm going to be keeping the Aria. It has proven to be a significant upgrade over the Stageline by allowing for a greater sense of realism and improved dynamics from my LP12. I'm not going to keep the Shawline though - I've ordered a WitchHat cable instead which is a lot cheaper and (apparently) engineered to be faithful to Naim's sound signature. Proof of the pudding is in the eating of course so I'll do another critique when I get it, hopefully sometime next week or the week after.
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Jonners posted:Christopher_M posted:What's the latest?
If from me then I'm going to be keeping the Aria. It has proven to be a significant upgrade over the Stageline by allowing for a greater sense of realism and improved dynamics from my LP12. I'm not going to keep the Shawline though - I've ordered a WitchHat cable instead which is a lot cheaper and (apparently) engineered to be faithful to Naim's sound signature. Proof of the pudding is in the eating of course so I'll do another critique when I get it, hopefully sometime next week or the week after.
I originally had a WitchHat cable but recently switched to Shawline which was a very, very significant upgrade. I will be interested in your findings.
I don't know the WitchHat interconnect but +1 for the Shawline. I upgraded from a Chord Chameleon (RCA-RCA) to the Shawline (RCA-DIN) and that was a worthwhile improvement.
Jonners posted:Christopher_M posted:What's the latest?
If from me then I'm going to be keeping the Aria. It has proven to be a significant upgrade over the Stageline by allowing for a greater sense of realism and improved dynamics from my LP12. I'm not going to keep the Shawline though - I've ordered a WitchHat cable instead which is a lot cheaper and (apparently) engineered to be faithful to Naim's sound signature. Proof of the pudding is in the eating of course so I'll do another critique when I get it, hopefully sometime next week or the week after.
Choose any Rega cart and bog-standard wire with Aria, probably pretty good. Obvious synergy :-)
If from me then I'm going to be keeping the Aria. It has proven to be a significant upgrade over the Stageline by allowing for a greater sense of realism and improved dynamics from my LP12. I'm not going to keep the Shawline though - I've ordered a WitchHat cable instead which is a lot cheaper and (apparently) engineered to be faithful to Naim's sound signature. Proof of the pudding is in the eating of course so I'll do another critique when I get it, hopefully sometime next week or the week after.
Let us know how you get on with the Witch Hat. I used the WH 4-5 DIN when I first had my stage line but replaced it with the Naim 4-5 pin DIN. Using the Chord Clearway with the Aria now but seeking a replacement.
Michael Mccullough posted:Let us know how you get on with the Witch Hat. I used the WH 4-5 DIN when I first had my stage line but replaced it with the Naim 4-5 pin DIN. Using the Chord Clearway with the Aria now but seeking a replacement.
Yep - still waiting for delivery due to backlog but will certainly report back after burn-in phase. I am intrigued as I've only ever used Naim and Chord cables so this will be an interesting experiment, if anybody does care of course!
out of interest how long does it take for a cable to burn in. i have just got a 282 pre amp. and had a new transformer fitted to my 200 power amp so would be grateful if some one could let my no how long it would take to burn in .the cables and the amps