Phono Stage for new VPI table...

In The Groove · « **on:** 6 Feb 2007, 07:43 pm »

Just got a VPI Scoutmaster and I am looking at two cart/phono stage options:

1. Grado PH-1 and Sonata Cartridge - can get a deal on. Like my friend's Grado Reference a lot.

2. Dynavector P-75 and 10X5 (maybe 20XL later on) - no deals but have heard good things...not a lot of reviews on the P-75.

Any thoughts or advice? I'm an experienced audiophile but really getting into vinyl for the first time in order to take advantage of some great titles recently.

Should I strongly consider an EAR 834P as well?

I appreciate the advice and I look forward to learning a lot on the forum.

woodsyi · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 08:08 pm »

Elusive Record has this deal. http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HW-SCOUT9D10 So, if you have the same arm, then Dynavector cart must work well with the set up. I have heard good things about the cartridge. Ear 834P works well with many carts and is supposed to be easy to tweak to make it even better. In my experience, Ear works better with BenzMicro than Koetsu but I never tried it with a Dynavector pick up.

WEEZ · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 08:27 pm »

Congratulations on the Scoutmaster, and welcome to AC!

While I've never heard the P-75, I have heard (and owned) both Dynavectors you mentioned. HW really likes the Dyna cartridges, and I can understand why. They work very well in the JMW arms, and they sound really good.

I'm biased, I use a Grado Gold with a PH-1 and just like the sound of Grado better than Dynavector. Personal preference, I guess.

If I was starting over, I'd probably look into a Gram Slee phono amp. The Reflex will likely be my next one.

Lastly, if you're leaning toward the EAR 834P.. at least consider the Hagerman Cornet.

Whatever you decide, report back!

In The Groove · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 09:00 pm »

"I'm biased, I use a Grado Gold with a PH-1 and just like the sound of Grado better than Dynavector. Personal preference, I guess."

Thanks Weez. I have two friends with Grado Reference carts and they sound superb. I have a budget Grado cart to use and so I think there may be some synergy there with the PH-1 until I upgrade for the Sonata or Master. I've heard the Dynas work very well and apparently the P-75 is a great phono stage but very few reviews are out there.

WEEZ · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 09:09 pm »

In The Groove,

See, the problem with the PH-1 and the P-75 is, they don't cost enough to get any attention

I can tell you that the PH-1 is a killer phono amp. It has great synergy with Grado cartridges, no surprise. It can be improved even more with a better power supply....

WEEZ

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 09:17 pm »

I would suggest the MINIMAX phono stage. Way better than it's price!! FWIW I sold my EAR834 and bought the MINIMAX and haven't looked back!! I use NOS Mullard 6x4 and cryo'd NOS Mullard 12AX7's. Built like a TANK.. Give it a look..

bacobits1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 09:23 pm »

I will second the EE Mini Max Phono. It is excellent!!

D

Rocket · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 10:37 pm »

Hi,

Lots of choices when purchasing a phonostage as i presume you are in the us.
I have a stock hagerman tech cornet and was really disappointed with its sound
quality. In my system it sounded no better than a musical fidelity xlps and cost more (i'm being totally honest). It would probably sound better with upgraded parts.

I bought a demo bluenote de medici phonostage and it sounds very good. Lots of choices for you though, however, you need to have a listen before you buy one as it really hurts.

Regards

Rod

In The Groove · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Feb 2007, 10:57 pm »

Interesting. Who makes the MiniMax?

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 12:13 am »

Eastern Electric. Here is a link. Give Bill O'Connell a call @ EE. He is a great guy to do business with!!

http://www.morningstaraudio.com/shop/category.asp?catid=5

lcrim · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 12:37 am »

I have an Eastern Electric Minimax also and I've been very pleased with it. If the price is too much, I also have a Jolida JD-9 in my other system and it sounds terrific for well under $500 and is very versatile.

analogmart · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 06:35 am »

I'm now have ScoutMaster with Jmw 9 Sig, Shelter 501 II and Acoustech PH1-p.
Nice sound with no problem at all but still in burn-in process.

lazydays · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 06:38 am »

Quote from: WEEZ on 6 Feb 2007, 08:27 pm

Congratulations on the Scoutmaster, and welcome to AC!

While I've never heard the P-75, I have heard (and owned) both Dynavectors you mentioned. HW really likes the Dyna cartridges, and I can understand why. They work very well in the JMW arms, and they sound really good.

I'm biased, I use a Grado Gold with a PH-1 and just like the sound of Grado better than Dynavector. Personal preference, I guess.

If I was starting over, I'd probably look into a Gram Slee phono amp. The Reflex will likely be my next one.

Lastly, if you're leaning toward the EAR 834P.. at least consider the Hagerman Cornet.

Whatever you decide, report back!

Just a couple thoughts here. I like and use a Grado cartridge, and the only change in them that I can see in the future is to go with the Sonata. As for phono stages, there a zillion of them out there. I use a Wright WP 100, but have one of Frank Van Alstien's hybrids on order right now for a special application the Wright just wont do. But that dosn't make the Wright a bad unit in anyway. And if a Wright might fit your needs there's a WP 200 on Audiogon right now. The Chair Guy has a good deal on one right now, that's well worth the look. Whatever you buy, take a very long serious look at tubes.
gary

mfsoa · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 03:42 pm »

I am currently evaluating a Grada PH-1 vs. A ProJect Tube Box SE using a ProJect Perspective Carbon and a Sumiko BPS Evo III. Comparable list prices.

And it's hard because:
1) I haven't been thrilled with this cartridge with any phono pre - I've used Grados in the past, and this BPS is my first MC cart. so I just might not like what I percieve to be a tipped up presentation, lacking midbass body and the lowest octave. It's a very "CD" sounding cart. to my ears. If you're doing analog, give me analog, dammit!

2) I probably won't stick with this cart. since I need more output (my preamp has no gain, and I'm reluctant to try the "MC" settings on the phono preamps to boost the output of the 2.5 mV BPS, since that might be too much input voltage for the phono preamps)

So for now, I think I like the ProJect better, but this might just be a synergy thing with the BPS. I could really see how the PH-1 might work best with the Grado sound. One note - The PH-1 lacks adjustability (loading) so if you do a lot of cart. swapping this might be a drawback.

I think my whole effort might be futile, though, if I switch carts! (You guys have me thinking AT440mla)
It's like choosing an amp knowing that your speakers are going to change, but worse it seems, given that different carts can really sound different.

-Mike

In The Groove · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 04:00 pm »

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm leaning toward placing an order for the PH-1 as I have a Grado I can use now and plan to upgrade to a Sonata in a month or two.

shep · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 04:01 pm »

http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Home,+Portable+Audio_Cartridges
"(You guys have me thinking AT440mla)" Think ML 150!

lcrim · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 04:18 pm »

There is another cartridge that might be interest and that's the Shelter 201 which is their low cost MM cart. It's available @ Audiocubes2 along with some others that might be of interest to you. There is a question of getting service down the line as they are a glorified gray market dealer but they have a good reputation for honest dealings.
http://www.audiocubes2.com/category/Vinyl_Cartridges.html

WEEZ · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 04:34 pm »

A great 'bang for the buck' combo would be a AT440mla and a Gram Amp 2SE...

In The Groove · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 07:42 pm »

The AudioCubes site says the Shelter 201 MM puts 0.4 mV. This can't be right...

lcrim · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Feb 2007, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: In The Groove on 7 Feb 2007, 07:42 pm

The AudioCubes site says the Shelter 201 MM puts 0.4 mV. This can't be right...

The decimal point got misplaced, it should read 4.0 mV. I have not heard this cart but there is great interest around here in high compliance MM carts, the AT440mla is a hot item right now. The Garrott Bros. from Oz make a number of cartridges, which include some which are described as Dynamic Coil but the price point puts them up against MM or Moving Iron. I have often wondered about those because their MC carts got a couple of money reviews.