Phono Stages- a new topic????

Posted by: Andy Moore on 22 November 2001

Deja vu.

OK, on my recent travels I've managed to get hold of a Dynavector Karat2 (for a sick amount of money that I won't reveal) and will be needing a suitable MC phono stage. I am still using a non-SE gyrodec with ol/rb300 which I'm hoping to get rewired (Incognito or OL anybody?)

I'm looking for a phono stage that will suit this set up as I know that the original karat was very picky when it came to MC stages. I'm not using any naim at the moment so somehting that works with a variey of amps would be a bonus.

I'm looking at the Trichord Dino (and later power upgrade) or the Tom Evans Microgroove (and later + upgrade)- or maybe some other alternatives that I am unaware of in this price area.

I'm sure someone has tried out some of these options so let me know!

Cheers
Andy.

PS how good is Daruma ball bearing isolation?

Posted on: 23 November 2001 by Chris L

Andy,
I assume you didn't buy this blind - or, more accurately, deaf.

I just wondered what it was like and how compares to the cheaper DV20x? I assume it's the same sound, but "better"?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering buying a DV20xL in the new year, to replace my Sumiko Blue Point Special - I'd like something with more "conventional" output power! But I might be able to stretch to the Karat2 if it's a significant improvement.

Cheers,

Chris L

Posted on: 23 November 2001 by Tony L

quote:
I'm looking at the Trichord Dino (and later power upgrade) or the Tom Evans Microgroove (and later + upgrade)- or maybe some other alternatives that I am unaware of in this price area.

I can certainly vouch for the bog standard Microgroove, even though I have only had mine a week it is sounding pretty damn good. It gives a big, open, clear, and groovy portrayal of the music with IMHO little not to like. Make sure its warmed up - I had to make a big leap of faith based on a cold dem, though I'm happy I did. From cold it sounds thin, pinched, and shut in, though leaves you in no doubt about its timing abilities. As mine burns in it seems to randomly move a little between jaw droppingly good and very much less so, obviously I hope it settles at the right end of the graph!

I have heard the Trichord sound very good in someone else's system too, and for 300 quid I reckon it is probably the one to have, I like the way you can adjust the loading and gain with this model, something that is not possible with the Microgroove. I bet the Microgroove is well worth the extra hundred quid though, and from a very quick exposure to a cold Microgroove Plus I suspect that is something very special indeed. I reserve the right to upgrade mine later on.

You order the Microgroove to match your cartridge, my Ortofon MC25FL is sort of generic MC in spec, so I guess my Microgroove is as bog standard as they come. It does however have tons of gain, probably more than I would ideally like given how twitchy my amps volume knob is. It is really quiet noise wise, and I bet it would work well with the low output Dynies - I tried a 17D2 and an XX1L with 323 boards in a 32.5, and felt that I was seriously lacking adequate gain, it was almost certainly due to this that I formed a dim view of both cartridge. I would love to hear them again via a more suitable stage.

Tony.

Posted on: 23 November 2001 by Frank Abela

Certainly at the £400 price range, the Tom Evans Microgroove is the one to beat in my view. I've used Dynavectors with Tom Evans electronics a lot in the last few years and they are a very good combination indeed.

If you insist on the rewire, as opposed to a new tonearm, then I can certainly vouch for the Incognito which has transformed my Mission Mechanic (!) and several other RB300's we've played with. The only downside seems to be it's more susceptible to RFI than I was used to. Personally, I think you'd be better off saving up for a super arm than turbocharging the RB300.

Chris, the Karat2 (or 17D2) is much better than a 20XL in my view - no comparison. The new models have a slightly higher 0.23mV output than of old (0.17mV!) which helps with 'ordinary' phono stages. The Tom Evans Groove is unusual in that it has a gain of 1000 (the Microgroove's is less I think, although I'm not sure) where normal gain is 500 because of noise. The TE is so quiet that Tom can afford to raise the gain such that a very low output cartridge sounds almost as loud as a CD player for given volume. A KontrapunktB (4mV) sounds louder!

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.

Posted on: 12 January 2002 by Andy Moore

I've just spent a day or so in the company of a Trichord Dino on loan from a local dealer. I tried it with an Ortofon 520 and Dynavector 17d2 on the end of my Gyrodec/Rega.

My first impression was surprise at how loud the Dino was, and there was a lot more bass and treble than I have ever heard from my old Arcam Alpha+. It was certainly a lot more vibrant and alive compared to the standard phono stage in my amp and even old records seemed very alive.

But I had one recurring problem. The treble was very bright, not so noticeable on some acoustic and classical recordings but it was quite hard to listen to on pop and rock.
This was the same with both cartridges.

I assume that this was due to the unit not yet being properly run in yet (the guy in the shop said it had about an hours use before I tried it).
Is a bright/harsh treble and slightly lumpy bass to be expected until things settle down?

I am still considering the Mircogrrove as an alternative but not until I can have a demo, preferably against the Dino.

Posted on: 12 January 2002 by Steve G

I'm considering one of these to partner my valve amp.

Regards
Steve