System upgrade

Lar, first of all your stage line N gain is fixed.  A phono stage will pretty much always have a lower output than CD, as CD was fixed ridiculously high in the rebook standard.  Ultimately output will depend on the output of your MM cartridge.

As for the Neo, yes, very worthwhile.  I wrote in another thread about a visit I made to the Rega factory where we compared the vibration of a motor from the regular PSU and then from the Neo.  The difference was remarkable, quite serious vibrations from the former, and then almost nothing with the Neo once it was properly tuned to the motor.  For the modest price asked, it's a no-brainer upgrade in my opinion.

Thanks Richard

The Dynavector is the 10x5 high output MC which I understand works ok with the N 

I read something about a stageline E ? that's someone suggested was a better match to the Dynavector. I am not overly concerned at having to turn the volume up for vinyl.

I wouldn't have a clue how to tune the Neo to the motor is this something that needs to be done by a dealer?

Lar

It can be done by dealer or end user, or I think done by regards if bought together from new?  You'd need to check.  It's pretty straightforward though - just turn the tuning pot until you get least vibration from the motor, and you're done.

I'm no fan of HO MCs, they tend to be neither one thing nor the other.  They can lack something (for want of a better word, "balls") when run through a MM stage and also you need to turn up the volume quite high.  I have heard of some successfully using HO MCs through the Stageline E, however, their output is a bit too high for an E, which is mean't for carts of around 1mV, so run the risk of overload on high level cuts.

For a Stageline N I'd be looking at a reasonably bright, lively and dynamic MM such as one of the A-Ts. 

Congrats on new set.

I liked my one-time DV10x5 into my Stageline N. Yes it had to be turned up a bit but this was never a problem.

A Goldring 2400 that I owned before that was also good. Quite a high output for a MM and with a cleaner, more modern, faster sound, much as Richard describes (above) for the A-Ts.

The two are chalk and cheese really, the DV being a development of the Ultimo 10x from the late 70s. The Goldring benefits from the advances of the intervening forty years.

Having had the Nait XS + Stageline N, using both units bare and with the FCXS, and having used both MM and HOMC carts, I'd stick with MM carts. That for my particular rock listening penchant. The HOMCs provide a smoother sound, especially in the mids (vocals) and highs (cymbals). The MMs provide better transient punch in percussion and faster bass which for me meant a more energetic and engaging replay experience. HOMCs sweeter and more laid back. MMs rawer and grittier.

Well I'll have top stick with the dynavector for now but will add the Neo as per Richard's thoughts. I tend to listen to a lot of acoustic  music but have noticed a massive difference in vocals, especially females, for the better, between the Elys and the Dynavector. The Elys I found really "edgy" on female vocals, (don't know the technical term).

Thanks for input

Lar 

Richard Dane posted:

It can be done by dealer or end user, or I think done by regards if bought together from new?  You'd need to check.  It's pretty straightforward though - just turn the tuning pot until you get least vibration from the motor, and you're done.

I'm no fan of HO MCs, they tend to be neither one thing nor the other.  They can lack something (for want of a better word, "balls") when run through a MM stage and also you need to turn up the volume quite high.  I have heard of some successfully using HO MCs through the Stageline E, however, their output is a bit too high for an E, which is mean't for carts of around 1mV, so run the risk of overload on high level cuts.

For a Stageline N I'd be looking at a reasonably bright, lively and dynamic MM such as one of the A-Ts. 

Thanks Richard

Going to see dealer tomorrow re the NEO.

Thanks for your help- always to the point

Chris

hi Lar -- i too think that the Neo sounds like a good idea. while you're at the dealer, try to have a listen to the Dynavector P75 phono stage. i greatly preferred it to the Stageline with the 10x5 cartridge.