Suggestions for phono preamp...

FestYboy
FestYboy Posts: 3,861
in 2 Channel Audio
Got my new to me ProJect table up and running... And guess who has an integrated with no phono pre in the rig for the table? Yeah...

So I ran out to grab one at my local vinyl shop and all that was handed to me was a Pyle unit. I wasn't thrilled, but it got the job done (for now).

Looking for better options please.

OR!!! There was a NAD 1700 pre sitting on the shelf calling me with the option to trade for it... It has a phono preamp...
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    edited December 2018
    I’m on the same quest as you my man! My Rotel pre has phono inputs but the VTL on the big rig does not. Been thinking about the Vincent PHO 700 tube pre.

    I believe there are quite a few Polkies that are running the Vincent.
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Pyle? Really? :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Yeah!!! That's all he had, I asked. Granted, he specializes in vintage equipment which typically come with them built in.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    The Schiit Mani is a solid option and it is very reasonably priced with a lot of great reviews behind it. Very flexible too as it can accommodate a wide variety of Mm and MC carts.

    http://www.schiit.com/products/mani
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,083
    edited December 2018
    Take a look in the closeout section of their website. They have quite a few mani's there.
    A goodly amount of people speak well of the ArtDJ Pre II also.

    Don't be afraid to look at Chinesium too. I use a Little Bear T10 that is quite nice.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    How would that Schiit compare to the Parasound Zphono?

    Parasound recently released the Zphono XRM that looks very interesting.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    For less than $100, the ART DJPre-II is hard to beat.

    What is your budget?
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    jdjohn wrote: »
    For less than $100, the ART DJPre-II is hard to beat.

    What is your budget?

    That's my "backup" phono pre. It's nice but it only handles MM carts.
    skrol wrote: »
    How would that Schiit compare to the Parasound Zphono?

    Parasound recently released the Zphono XRM that looks very interesting.

    I had a zphono a few years ago, nice piece of gear. I think that the Mani is far more flexible in matching the carts.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    edited December 2018
    Arty, since I was a help in getting that table running, I might as well throw this into the mix for you, I have a Cambridge Audio Solo I am about to sell because I upgraded. Bought it brand new about 3-4 months ago. Sell to you only for $100 shipped. Have box and all that came with it. Basically mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Used Jolida JD9 like this one on ebay, maybe?

    Can be modded easily and inexpensively to sound very good (pairs of caps, opamps, & tubes - see mod threads here, AK, & SH). The low height full width form factor is a plus in my den rig since I don't have room for multiple little boxes (and cables) to sit around.

    If multiple little boxes is not a factor, you might want to look at new Lounge/Coupla combo - excellent value, sounds very good with my limited range of MM, HoMC, and LoMC, and offers mix-and-match flexibility for future gear changes.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,027
    I will second the Jolida JD9. Nowhere near <$100 but a fine pre and it responds very well to tube rolling. There is a MKII for $50 more, FYI.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Interesting little guy. Lot's of good reviews out there. Pro-Ject Tube Box.
    wedl8j43h5rr.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Love how that looks.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dr_Wu
    Dr_Wu Posts: 335
    For your consideration, I've enjoyed the MoFi StudioPhono, with adjustable gain, impedance, and a mono setting. I wanted the additional gain settings for a low output MM cart. Now, I'm glad I got it because it also opens up the possibility of getting an MC cart.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    I'll put it out there: tube rolling ain't in the budget, lol. I'm hoping to stay in the $100 range and @joecoulson the Cambridge might just do the trick, but some research is due. The Oyster cart isn't all that strong and a bit laid back, but that could very well be the Pyle pre...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Sorry, missed the $100 range.

    With a 15-day return, I would check out the $129 Schiit Mani. I think all the Schiit gear I've had has been good value.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    So’s a Cambridge Audio...just sayin
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    Sorry, missed the $100 range.

    With a 15-day return, I would check out the $129 Schiit Mani. I think all the Schiit gear I've had has been good value.

    B-stock is $99! 25 units available as of today. :)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Freaking rabbit hole!!!!

    After @joecoulson graciously offered me the Cambridge, I went and looked up the specs for my cart thinking I had a LO unit (turns out it puts out a respectable 4.0mV) and came to the conclusion that, although it's miles above the ion POS TTi was running, it's still a bottom of the barrel unit.

    That being said, now I have to get a better cart, and a pre to complement it. So much for a $100 budget :s

    So now the request is for a combo that plays nice with each other. Ideally the pre will have adjustable gain, be capable of both MM and MC (will stick with MM for now), and NO TUBES. I can't afford it already, and tubes will not help the situation. The rig will consist of 2.3s driven by either my 2400PE, or GFA 545, and a NAD integrated (c320 bee), or NAD 1700 pre (MM only phono stage). Let's try to keep it under $500 total for both pieces. Keep in mind that currently it's a Sumiko oyster cart mated to a Pyle pre, so it can't get worse than that.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,897
    edited December 2018
    I have the Vincent PHO-8. It is a decent $300.00 unit. The sub 500.00 field is pretty crowrded, lots to chose from.

    The Vincent is on the warm side, which appeals to my taste. There are an online retailer or two, that give a 30 day trial.
    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    FestYboy wrote: »
    Freaking rabbit hole!!!!

    After @joecoulson graciously offered me the Cambridge, I went and looked up the specs for my cart thinking I had a LO unit (turns out it puts out a respectable 4.0mV) and came to the conclusion that, although it's miles above the ion POS TTi was running, it's still a bottom of the barrel unit.

    That being said, now I have to get a better cart, and a pre to complement it. So much for a $100 budget :s

    So now the request is for a combo that plays nice with each other. Ideally the pre will have adjustable gain, be capable of both MM and MC (will stick with MM for now), and NO TUBES. I can't afford it already, and tubes will not help the situation. The rig will consist of 2.3s driven by either my 2400PE, or GFA 545, and a NAD integrated (c320 bee), or NAD 1700 pre (MM only phono stage). Let's try to keep it under $500 total for both pieces. Keep in mind that currently it's a Sumiko oyster cart mated to a Pyle pre, so it can't get worse than that.
    Oh, it can always be worse :D So you said earlier that the Sumiko Oyster is too laid back for you. I tried a Sumiko Pearl and felt the same. Do you have a preference of bright vs warm vs analytical? Some brands have a house sound that we might be able to steer you towards.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    Here's a Dynavector P-75 MkII for $319: https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649481162-dynavector-p75-mkii-phono-stage/ You would still have room in your budget for a better cartridge, but of course you should listen to your Sumiko Oyster through this P-75 first. It may come alive for you B)

    I have that same phono preamp myself, although it has become my [cough] very nice backup for the time being. Don't let its diminutive size fool you.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Easy Runnin
    Easy Runnin Posts: 501
    The price is right:

    https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/d/nad-hifi-phono-preamp/6759119015.html

    https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/d/nad-phono-preamp-pp-2/6768085970.html
    HT- Samsung PN50B860/Integra DTR 30.3/Rt55 Fronts
    Rt35i Surrounds/Cs1000p Center/SVS BP1000 Sub
    2CH - B&K MC-101 pre/B&K EX-442 amp/NAD 2400 amp
    Polk SDA1C, Polk Monitor 7, New Large Advents and Polk RTA 8T
    BR - Yamaha CR800/Polk monitor 5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Easy Runnin wrote: »
    The price is right:

    https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/d/nad-hifi-phono-preamp/6759119015.html

    https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/d/nad-phono-preamp-pp-2/6768085970.html

    Boom!!! I like it. Now I wonder if they'll ship it...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Geppy is selling a clean Rotel:
    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/183914/nice-rotel-rq-970-mm-mc-phono-reamp
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Easy Runnin
    Easy Runnin Posts: 501
    If they won't ship, Send me the money through PP, I 'll meet the guy in Havertown and ship it to you.
    HT- Samsung PN50B860/Integra DTR 30.3/Rt55 Fronts
    Rt35i Surrounds/Cs1000p Center/SVS BP1000 Sub
    2CH - B&K MC-101 pre/B&K EX-442 amp/NAD 2400 amp
    Polk SDA1C, Polk Monitor 7, New Large Advents and Polk RTA 8T
    BR - Yamaha CR800/Polk monitor 5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    jdjohn wrote: »
    FestYboy wrote: »
    Freaking rabbit hole!!!!

    After @joecoulson graciously offered me the Cambridge, I went and looked up the specs for my cart thinking I had a LO unit (turns out it puts out a respectable 4.0mV) and came to the conclusion that, although it's miles above the ion POS TTi was running, it's still a bottom of the barrel unit.

    That being said, now I have to get a better cart, and a pre to complement it. So much for a $100 budget :s

    So now the request is for a combo that plays nice with each other. Ideally the pre will have adjustable gain, be capable of both MM and MC (will stick with MM for now), and NO TUBES. I can't afford it already, and tubes will not help the situation. The rig will consist of 2.3s driven by either my 2400PE, or GFA 545, and a NAD integrated (c320 bee), or NAD 1700 pre (MM only phono stage). Let's try to keep it under $500 total for both pieces. Keep in mind that currently it's a Sumiko oyster cart mated to a Pyle pre, so it can't get worse than that.
    Oh, it can always be worse :D So you said earlier that the Sumiko Oyster is too laid back for you. I tried a Sumiko Pearl and felt the same. Do you have a preference of bright vs warm vs analytical? Some brands have a house sound that we might be able to steer you towards.

    Given that my current rig is already a bit warm and easy, I think a more analytical or slightly bright cart might help to balance it out. I know my speakers are capable of far more than the cart I'm running, so the search for a better match is on.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited December 2018
    were I you, I'd be careful of bright or analytical cartridges. :p
    Yes, I realize I am not you, but there are a lot of - to my ear - edgy phono cartridges. A whole slew of 'em have emanated from a company whose name rhymes with bawdy-oh plectnica, as an example :|

    Again, just the way my ears are; YEMV. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    were I you, I'd be careful of bright or analytical cartridges. :p
    Yes, I realize I am not you, but there are a lot of - to my ear - edgy phono cartridges. A whole slew of 'em have emanated from a company whose name rhymes with bawdy-oh plectnica, as an example :|

    Again, just the way my ears are; YEMV. :)

    I can't say I've ever been attracted to AT hardware. I've had plenty of experience with their mics, and did not like how they treated vocals or drums. My favorite mic to use for testing mixing boards was a Shure 78.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    Cannot complain about some of their (vintage) tonearms, personally. :)

    35993349896_78bda4e3b6_h.jpgDSC_8876 (4) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter