[Gzerro]

Hello all. I have just been getting back into Vinyl over the past several months and have been really enjoying it. I started out with purchase of a VPI Scout with Grado Sonata Reference catridge used from a local dealer. It was somewhat of an impulse purchase, but I am really happy I got it.

I recently upgraded the cartridge to a VPI Zephyr and WOW I was amazed how much better it is. This has me thinking about the next upgrade..

My existing setup is VPI Scout with the Zephyr Cart > Parasound P7 MM Phono input. (Then Parasound Amp, Salk Songtower speakers, but I would rather keep this thread limited to the table, cart, phono stage.) I use Blue Jeans interconnects. I experimented with 5-6 phono cable rentals from the cable company, but none of them made any significant difference as far as I could tell, so not really interesting in pursuing that angle any further for now.

My next thought is either a dedicated phono stage or moving up to a VPI Classic (probably used as most of my other gear has been), so budget is around $1500-$2000 used.

On the phono stages I have been considering EAR834P, Manley Chinook, or Parasound JC3 so far as top contenders. The JC3 has great reviews and matches my other Parasound gear but google searches have dug up almost no user comments.

Appreciate any random thoughts and opinions. Thank you in advance.

Tom

[jtwrace]

I'm probably going to be listing my Zesto Andros that I've been using with my VPI Classic 1 that's for sale. 

PM if you're interested.

[vortrex]

my advice having had a Classic 1, Zephyr, EAR 834P, Songtowers, and a Chinook...

The 834P is not even remotely in the same league as the Chinook.  I actually went from the 834P to a K&K and the difference was very big for the positive.  I then went from the K&K to the Chinook, and while I like the Chinook better, it's a smaller incremental upgrade.

[Stu Pitt]

In your shoes I'd be looking at a dedicated phono stage.  I think you're on the right track with that.  There's tons of great phono stages out there, and you'll get as many opinions on which to buy as you'll get posters here.

While I won't recommend anything, as your price range (especially used) is beyond my experience with them.  My advice is to get a phono stage that's flexible - one that has various loading, impedance, etc. options.   This way you'll be able to use pretty much any cartridge down the road rather than getting locked into cartridges that fit your phono stage specifically. 

[roscoeiii]

I would add the Avid Pulsus to your list. I compared it to the SimAudio 5.3LP with the external power supply. Clearly bettered it in many regards. In particular, less bright up high and much greater detail in the bass.

But as with all things audio, best to try in your system.

[twitch54]

My next thought is either a dedicated phono stage

On the phono stages I have been considering Parasound JC3 so far as top contenders. The JC3 has great reviews and matches my other Parasound gear but google searches have dug up almost no user comments.

Appreciate any random thoughts and opinions. Thank you in advance.

Tom

Tom the Parasound JC3 is a great phono pre for sure and I damn near pulled the trigger on one but..........for the same $$ the Fosgate signature won my heart and soul, as long time analog guy I've yet to hear it bettered by anything even close to it's price point.

[Wasatch]

For the money the Chinook is very hard to beat.

[Gzerro]

Thank you for all the suggestions so far. Seems I am at least in the right neighborhood.

I will add the Fosgate Signature and Avid to my shortlist. I love the looks of the Fosgate in particular, but in the end its the sound that matters. The Zesto looks great, but probably out of my price range for now.

[ptmconsulting]

If you are looking in that neighborhood don;t forget the Hagerman Trumpet. Slightly different fotpring that the others and hard to fit into a rack, but definitely world class sound.

I think you already know this, judging by what you are already looking at, but the phono stage is the weak link in most vinyl systems. Get the best one you can find/afford.

Enjoy,
Bob

[Gzerro]

Thank you all for the suggestions. The Hagerman Trumpet has me intriqued. I am totally out of space in my rack so the phono stage will sit on the top shelf next to my turntable. It would cool to have something that looks a bit out of the ordinary.

I have had a chance now to listen to the Fosgate Signature and Manley Chinook, both nice in their own way.

I am wondering if anyone has tried Graham Slee Reflex M and could provide input? My Zephyr catridge is moving iron and I plan to keep it at least a year, so I don't really need the MC capability for some time down the road. I could always add their SUT later if I decide to switch to MC.

[vortrex]

The Zesto certainly looks out of the ordinary (ugly in my opinion) and it sounds amazing.  I just moved from a Chinook to a Zesto and the change was not small.

[rollo]

Soundsmith MMP3 for $500 great with the VPI.


charles

[Gzerro]

Soundsmith MMP3 for $500 great with the VPI.


charles

I have looked at this, but wondering if it would be much of an improvement over the stage built into my Parasound P7. It is supposed to be pretty similar to the Parasound ZPhono which has been pretty well reviewed as far as sub-$500 phono stages go.

I suppose I don't have much to lose giving it a try. There was a used one for $250 listed here that I almost bought just to take a flyer. Too late (.

[Gzerro]

The Zesto certainly looks out of the ordinary (ugly in my opinion) and it sounds amazing.  I just moved from a Chinook to a Zesto and the change was not small.

I would love to try that, just out of my price range unless I find a really good deal on a used one.

[jarcher]

This is probably not adding too much to the discussion, but just to +1 the suggestion on focusing on upgrading the phono stage (vs upgrading the table or the cartridge).  It made a significant difference for me, and in my case I bought what was long ago a close to $2K phono stage new, but just $400 used (a sonic frontiers SFP-1 signature).  I wish I had more experience of newer high end phono stages to offer - though the Chinook does seem to be highly regarded. Sounds like maybe you've already discarded that option........?

One option, e.g. with the Soundsmith and many others, is to buy new from a place like Music Direct, Needle Doctor, Audio Advisor etc to try it out, and if you don't like it, return it.  Most phono stages are not that heavy, so you won't lose too much on the shipping. Assuming of course that you don't have a local dealer who'll let you do in-home auditions......

[Gzerro]

I wish I had more experience of newer high end phono stages to offer - though the Chinook does seem to be highly regarded. Sounds like maybe you've already discarded that option........?

One option, e.g. with the Soundsmith and many others, is to buy new from a place like Music Direct, Needle Doctor, Audio Advisor etc to try it out, and if you don't like it, return it.  Most phono stages are not that heavy, so you won't lose too much on the shipping. Assuming of course that you don't have a local dealer who'll let you do in-home auditions......

I have always avoided ordering with the intent to return items from Music Direct, etc. I always felt that would be taking advantage. Maybe that is a bad assumption? Do they intend for people to order just to try things out?

Unfortunately there are no nearby dealers that I am aware of that would allow a home demo. I buy most things ID or used, so I don't have a strong relationship with any particular dealer. I wish more manufacturers sponsored home demos like Graham Slee does.

[S Clark]

Since you mentioned Graham Slee, I'll throw another option into the mix.  I'm not saying that it competes with the better units you mentioned, but I will say that it is right there with the Graham Slee, and it's cheap.   I've upgraded a Cambridge 640P with Panny caps.  I simply don't need a 4th phono pre.  $125+shipping.  I have another with upgraded caps and op amps- $155+shipping. Either would definitely get you by until you could find a deal on a used better unit.
You can google Hypnotoad cambridge 640p mods to read more about them.
Scott

[jarcher]

I have always avoided ordering with the intent to return items from Music Direct, etc. I always felt that would be taking advantage. Maybe that is a bad assumption? Do they intend for people to order just to try things out?

Unfortunately there are no nearby dealers that I am aware of that would allow a home demo. I buy most things ID or used, so I don't have a strong relationship with any particular dealer. I wish more manufacturers sponsored home demos like Graham Slee does.

I don't think you order with the intention to just try out & return, but rather because you think it's something you actually would keep. That would not only perhaps be a waste of your time but also unfair to the store. But people do change their minds or find that something doesn't meet their needs or expectations.  If folks feel free to return on such a basis even big ticket items like flat screen TV's, I don't see a problem with it when it comes to things like phono stages. I think a retailer would prefer that you try to buy through them, even if it means the risk of a return or exchange, than not to get you're business at all.  Flat out refunds, on the occasions that they happen, is just a cost of doing business they've decided to assume to be competitive.   

So in other words, I wouldn't feel trepidation about availing yourself of refund policies - they are there intentionally to try to capture your business.

Best of luck to you!

[kleinbje]

I found music direct very helpful while auditioning power cables, tried a bunch of shunyata's, no issues with returning the ones I liked less.  I would also second the chinook, I love mine.

Jeff