Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice
- Thread starter Joe Mac
- Start date
bluzuner
New Member
I have blue jeans for both interconnects and speaker wire, really nice product.
I only said that cause I was looking through the 100+ pages of this thread, and I thought it would be rude not to ask him about his cables
bluzuner
New Member
Hi @bluzuner,
StudioPhono vs. UltraPhono, the Ultra has a lower noise floor + a Class A headphone amp.
The StudioPhono was my first "real" phono after trying out the built-in phono stage of my HINT 6 (which sounded pretty bad with my Ortofon Red and Ortofon Blue). I haven't compared to other phono stages at a similar price point but I thought it sounded really good and I liked it. The StudioPhono really helped smooth out the sound and got rid of the sibilance. It also improved the sound stage and details in general. It also is really flexible as far as adjustments (they're dip switches) where you can mess with gain and loading.
I also thought it sounded great with my Grado Gold v2 on my Pro-ject Debut Carbon Esprit.
I currently have a Parasound JC3 Jr. (which might be for sale soon) and it was a similar characteristic of improvements where it smoothed things out even more, added even better soundstage and more detail. I've just placed an order for a PS Audio Stellar Phono to compare to my JC3 Jr. after getting suckered into it by watching the interviews with the designer. I need to stop upgrading though.
All in all though, I think the form factor of the StudioPhono is great (it's pretty small) and it sounds great. Also has a mono switch and a subsonic filter (though I never noticed anything with the subsonic filter). If you buy from Crutchfield or Music Direct, they have 60-day in-home trials so I'd recommend giving it a shot.
Hope this helps and good luck with your search!
Thank you for this. I've heard about that PS Audio piece, it's getting a lot of attention right now. I"m sure you'll love it.
I really trying to cap this at 500 bucks.
REALLY REALLY TRYING!
HAHAHAHAHAI have blue jeans for both interconnects and speaker wire, really nice product.
I only said that cause I was looking through the 100+ pages of this thread, and I thought it would be rude not to ask him about his cables
HAHAHAHAHAHA
yes it would have been
dansomeone
Well-Known Member
All indications are that Music Direct is still shipping gear and vinyl. And don't forget to use code LP10 for 10% off the MoFi records.Plus I could pick up all those Dire Straits MoFi's while I'm at it
That's Chicago, I'm assuming they are shut down for the time being. But it's not like my preamp is broken, I could wait.
bluzuner
New Member
Oh, perfect. I loaded up when they were running 15% the last couple weeks. I like them, and they are close enough that I get it next day.
What headphones did you groob?
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Meze 99 Classics in Walnut/Silver. They seem really well-regarded and they look gorgeous.
Those are BEEEAAUUTFUL. Very very nice, my utilitarian MX50s are giving me side eye.
I’ve got two questions pertaining to my P3 with some upgrades, and Exact 2 cartridge.
1). I just installed this cartridge last week. So far on 2 LPs it’s gotten caught in a loop. My tracking force is 1.75 according to the scale so I think that’s right. Should I make it more? Should re-align the cartridge?
2). I think for the preamp the main contenders are the Rega Fono Mk3 and the Puffin. Anyone have opinions? I know the Puffin you can make adjustments which seems fun, but also plug and play with no worries is nice too.
1). I just installed this cartridge last week. So far on 2 LPs it’s gotten caught in a loop. My tracking force is 1.75 according to the scale so I think that’s right. Should I make it more? Should re-align the cartridge?
2). I think for the preamp the main contenders are the Rega Fono Mk3 and the Puffin. Anyone have opinions? I know the Puffin you can make adjustments which seems fun, but also plug and play with no worries is nice too.
tomheo
Member
You're welcome. I'll report back when I receive and play with the Stellar Phono. PS Audio's running an AXPONA special where a bunch of their stuff is 20% off, and then they do the trade-in thing where you can get up to full retail in credit for your old stuff. I'm trading in my StudioPhono (that I was too lazy to sell) and my SONOS Connect, so that brought the Stellar Phono down to $1500. I'm really hoping it's a huge improvement over my JC3 Jr.
It's hard staying within budget...for me it's a domino effect (or maybe more like an avalanche). I upgrade one thing and that just leads to another.... I think you have some really solid options in that $500 range though! Oh, one thing I forgot to mention about the StudioPhono that I didn't like was even though I liked the small size of it, it was a little annoying because it's so light, I'd have to be a little more careful about placement (like it'd lift up on one side from the weight of the cables).
apholden
Active Member
I just googled those. They look spectacular!
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
I will certainly report back!
I like my DS. But others here will have more experience with multiple phonos. I’m new to hifi with more experience in live audio. But I know what I like and It’s quiet, sounds great, and rock solid built. Tubes are hard to change but also well protected once you do.
Splunders
Well-Known Member
One thing I know about the Puffin, and maybe you do too, is it takes the analog phono signal and digitizes in order for it to run thru the various sound filters/shapers it has onboard. For some folks that wouldn't matter, others might prefer their analog chain remain analog.
HuddieLedbetter
Well-Known Member
I thought this was awesome
www.whathifi.com
VPI has 'taken a break on turntables' to manufacture free hand sanitiser
The high-end firm will distribute bottles free of charge in the US
bluzuner
New Member
Adding to @Joe Mac's options, which are all great, there's another Musical Fidelity marked down at Music Direct....
Musical Fidelity - LX-LPS MM/MC Phono Preamplifier CRYO (Black)
www.musicdirect.com
I actually sold my MoFi Studio Phono for this model on my second system, there was absolutely nothing "wrong" with the StudioPhono, but since it was pretty much an even swap and MF had such great nods I wanted to give it a go. Long story short, love it, has some input options and it really does sing. It's going to boil down to budget and personal preferences, but I gotta say I was really impressed with Musical Fidelity
Looked like a pretty solid deal, so it's on it's way, with some vinyl to boot
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
Awesome! Looking forward to your impressionsLooked like a pretty solid deal, so it's on it's way, with some vinyl to boot
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
First impressions of the Meze 99 Classics: Attractive design, nicely built. The whole thing is screwed together and looks like it can be dissembled and reassembled rather easily, which bodes well for long-term use.
Comfort is quite good. Very, very lightweight. Coming from my Audeze Mobius, it feels like wearin' nothin' at all.
Presentation feels really airy for a closed-back headset, with nice tonal balance and a smooth, highly detailed midrange. Very enjoyable thus far.
(sorry for the dust!)
Comfort is quite good. Very, very lightweight. Coming from my Audeze Mobius, it feels like wearin' nothin' at all.
Presentation feels really airy for a closed-back headset, with nice tonal balance and a smooth, highly detailed midrange. Very enjoyable thus far.
(sorry for the dust!)
I'm very jealous.
I'm just sitting here, looking at that wood and how it contrasts with the polished silver brackets and being jealous.
So very very jealous...
-opens web browser-
Sooooo jealous
-searches wallet for non maxed out credit card-
Soooooooooo jelly
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