Simaudio Moon LP110 phono stage

I had the Moon LP110 for three years. I then had a Naim Stageline powered by a modest iSupply, and it was easily better than the Moon. I then powered the Stageline with a Flatcap XS and it was even better.

I believe you have a Flatcap already. The Naim Stageline might be a good phonostage for you. 

I had a Moon 110LP and used it with a Dynavector 20X2H HOMC cartridge on a Rega P3 turntable. For that it sounded great, but once I went to a higher end TT, and especially a higher performing LOMC cartridge it became the weak link. It's great for high output MC and MM cartridges at the entry level. If you want to use a low output cartridge, I think you need to stretch the budget and look more at something like the Moon 310LP, the Stageline as suggested above, a Musical Surroundings Nova II, or something along those lines. I had a Nova Phonomena II and home auditioned the 310LP with a LOMC (Clearaudio Talisman V2). Both worked really well, but I ultimately went for an even better phonostage, settling on the Herron VTPH-2a I have now. IMHO, a 110LP is a great entry level phonostage but it will not do justice to a LP12 into a 202/200. Your phonostage is not a good place to try and save on cost.

^^^ Spot on Racetripper...

Thanks all. I agree this is not the place to save. I guess I was just looking for some improvement without having to pay large amounts. My inclination is to wait and get the "right" phono stage in one go rather than in smaller steps (which was also the reason why I waited and went direct to an LP12 Akurate level rather than "just" Majik as I knew I would eventually want to upgrade most of the components anyway). 

I haven't heard the Linn Krystal cartridge but the Dynavector XX-2 is of a similar price/calibre.  I tried many phono stages in the £1500 - £3000+ range when looking to upgrade from Dynavector's own P75 (a bargain at about £600 with a DV cartridge).

In the end, I ended up with the Moon 310LP with 320S external power supply.  There are a number of well regarded and reviewed phono stages in the £1,500-2,000 range and this is the sort of price range that I would aim for given the calibre of your turntable (I'd audition a Rega Aria too, as it is amazing value for money).  The Naim Stageline & Hicap would fit in this range.

There is a thread on my phono stage journey from about 2 years ago.

Hope this helps, FT

Foot tapper posted:

I haven't heard the Linn Krystal cartridge but the Dynavector XX-2 is of a similar price/calibre.  I tried many phono stages in the £1500 - £3000+ range when looking to upgrade from Dynavector's own P75 (a bargain at about £600 with a DV cartridge).

In the end, I ended up with the Moon 310LP with 320S external power supply.  There are a number of well regarded and reviewed phono stages in the £1,500-2,000 range and this is the sort of price range that I would aim for given the calibre of your turntable (I'd audition a Rega Aria too, as it is amazing value for money).  The Naim Stageline & Hicap would fit in this range.

There is a thread on my phono stage journey from about 2 years ago.

Hope this helps, FT

I did briefly look at the Moon 310LP but price-wise it's close to Linn's Uphorik (and above if coupled with the 320S power supply) which I'd then rather get, having previously auditioned it at home and liking it a lot. I also briefly had the Aria on home demo but didn't pursue that option as, at the time, I experienced some hum issues with my SN2 which severely affected the Aria. I returned the SN2 and swapped it for a 200/202 (no hum issues), so may just try the Aria again - though perhaps am wondering whether it would just be an incremental step on the route towards the end goal (Linn Uphorik or similar level phono stage). I'll have a look at your mentioned thread. Thanks for the input.

In this price range I would definitely audition the Tron Convergence.  Yes it is a valve phono stage, which may turn you off in theory, but it is a fantastic vfm . I had one paired with a DV Xvs-1  and it totally changed what my preconceived notion was of valves- this stage boogies! I was so smitten that I have ordered a Tron Seven Ultimate  

ATB,

Mark

varyat posted:

In this price range I would definitely audition the Tron Convergence.  Yes it is a valve phono stage, which may turn you off in theory, but it is a fantastic vfm . I had one paired with a DV Xvs-1  and it totally changed what my preconceived notion was of valves- this stage boogies! I was so smitten that I have ordered a Tron Seven Ultimate  

ATB,

Mark

Although everything else I have (Naim) is solid state, I use a tube phonostage – Herron VTPH-2a ($3650 US) – and it's the best I've ever heard in my system by a long shot. It also helps that Keith Herron lives 10 miles up the street from me.