Would love some feedback / Denon DL-S1 / phono match / cart recomendations


Would love some feedback / Denon DL-S1 / phono match / cart recomendations

- Vinyl newbie and need some help

- Friend has a brand new  Denon DL-S1 for $600 - good deal?

- I have a Mark Levinson No.326s preamp and just bought the dual mono MM/MC Phono module boards. They are the identical boards from the No,32 preamp and read that was a very nice sounding phono preamp.

- No.326s only has a couple settings 42db or 60 db and 47k ohm or 200 ohm load

- I picked up a used Bob's Device 1131 thinking it would help as my No.326s has limited setting options and read the 1131 might not work well with this cart. That this cart is tough to get the most out of but can be great.

- Should I get another cart? Was it a mistake getting the 1131 SUT. I read the No.326s sounded nice with this SUT so went for it but don't know enough to really know better either way but trying to learn.

- The No.326s phono boards has these little gold terminal screws with easy tighten by hand little knobs on the heads of the screws to add either capacitor or resistor to make the phono very adjustable but would have no idea how to figure out how to use that but thought to mention

- just wondering if this is a bad cart for me to try with my phono and SUT set up and any feedback about anything related to a cart would be super appreciated if anyone reads this. Thanks

more info if helpful below but not need to answer my question just thought to add it :)

______________________________________________________________________________________


I just finished up a full system re-fit with some tweaking here and there still to do but I am extremely happy with the sound I’m getting today from my new to me system. I sold my entire old system that was tubes and high efficiency speakers and got new to me: speakers, amp, preamp, speaker cables and upgraded digital transport and got a new turntable. Kept my DAC never changing that. Love my DAC. 

This system is the best I’ve personally ever had. I’m pretty psyched - so psyched I just added a turntable. 

A modern Version of the VPI Prime Aries with HRX Feet, 10" 3D Arm and Base, Prime Signature Platter, Ring and Motor. 

I am looking for a cart and my friend has a new Denon DL-S1 for $600 he also has a  used but good shape Clearaudio Accurate mc cart for a few hundred but i never heard of this one and a  van den Hul blackheart grass hopper which I know nothing of.

I thought because the Denon is new never used that was the best option but any of you know anything about the other let me know please.
  
Would love some feedback / ideas / thought recommendations and help. I’m a digital guy and want to give vinyl and honest to goodness try.

As stated above I just purchased the dual mono Phono board modules for my
Mark Levinson No.326s linestage so it’s now a full function Preamp and added a Bobs Device 1131 SUT and both were attained a very reasonable cost which was great!

Just not sure if these carts will go with my phono and SUT.

Rest of my System:
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5160

- Magico S5 Loudspeakers
- Pass Labs X350.5 Amplifier
- Mark Levinson No.326s Preamp/phonostage
- Bricasti M1 Special Edition DAC
- PS Audio P10 Power Plant
- Kubala-Sosna Emotion SC’s
- Nordost/Cardas IC’s
- Assorted PC's Verastarr/Cardas

- Digital PC based front end that I have been tweaking and evolving:
- Sonore microRendu 1.4
- Full Suite of UpTone Audio Gear
(2) x LPS-1 Ultra Capacitor PS
JS-2 Linear Power Supply
(2) Regens - ISO/Amber
- (8) Canare / Oyide DC cables
- (2) Breeze Audio 12v LPS
- Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference USB cable
- Curious Regen Link USB Cable.

This Digital Front End beat out: Lumin, Antipodes, Naim and Auralic servers. It needs everything to work so well but man does it work great. My hope is that a turntable can complete and wish some luck I end up liking it better. That’s why I’m asking for help. I want to put my best vinyl foot forward 

** Back Ground info**

** Room is **
14 x 24 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 16 Foot a peak

** Music likes **
Assorted Music but no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else. I listen just loud enough to sound its best but not a loud listener. I enjoy normal levels.

** Likes / Priorities **
Transparency - Delicacy - Linear - High resolution - microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless -some natural warmth and life to the music is key  but love that see through transparency and love precise soundstage - remove as many layers without being clinical - tight bass - hate flab - but don’t need worlds greatest slam but love speed and accurate bass while being musical.

** Perspective **
I’m only a couple months into this new system and I was struggling to get the right Preamp and tried a half dozen or so searching for the right balance and the one that could bring my new system together like only the perfect matching preamp can do. Each system is different so really it must be heard to know it’s what you want. I believe in the Preamp and knew If I could find the right match it would change everything. Well that was the hope.

To make a long story longer the Mark Levinson No.326s preamp did this and more. I was hedging my expectations based on the disappointments of the others I tried and failed but the No. 326s nailed it and honestly it an incredible Preamp and then some. I was so happy I decided to upgrade and add the built in phonostage option and SUT and Turntable here we are trying to chose a cart.

Really appreciate any help you can provide! I know this is kind of long but wanted you guys to know where I’m coming from! If you would like more info please let me know - all comments and feedback are most welcome and deeply appreciated :)




128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
 And I do want to say that I have heard solid-state systems that sounds quite good but Raul's insistence on screeching about tubes being inferior just gets under my skin.  Anyone who preaches in absolutes in this hobby is mislead. 
Dear @analogluvr :  Your link for " an open mind folks " comes from here: http://www.effectrode.com/  and nothing of what we are talking here in home audio system hobby where exist phonolinepreamps and amplifiers, all system items in the system link are for home audiophiles.

Well your "  electronic engineer " just " speaks " with out showing any arguments or foundation that can attest what he posted:


Advantages with Tubes:

  1. Superior sound quality.  """ for whom and why? """
  2. Highly linear without negative feedback, especially small-signal types. "" like the LOMC cartridge signal? """
  3. Smooth clipping is widely considered more musical than transistors.  " again. who says that and why? ""
  4. Tolerant of large overloads and voltage spikes.
  5. Characteristics highly independent of temperature, greatly simplifying biasing.
  6. Wider dynamic range than transistors circuits, due to higher operating voltages and overload tolerance. """ Has no idea, only talks. """
  7. Device capacitances vary only slightly with signal voltages (Miller effect).
  8. Capacitive coupling can be done with small, high-quality film capacitors, due to inherently high-impedances of tube ciruits.
  9. Circuit designs tend to be simpler than transistorized equivalents, which are greatly complicated by the need to linearize intrinsically non-linear transistors.  " More complicated because almost any one can design tube circuit but SS devices is only for experts and not for your " electronic engineer . ""
  10. Operation is usually in Class A or Class AB, minimizing crossover notch distortion.  " that electronic engineer is almost an ignorant or stupid one . """
  11. Output transformer in power amp protects speaker from DC voltage due to malfunction and protects tubes from shorts and blunts back-emf spikes from speaker.   """ so what? """
  12. Tubes can be relatively easily replaced by user.  """ so what ? """



Advantages Transistor:


  1. Usually lower cost and smaller than tubes, especially in small-signal circuits.
  2. Can be combined in the millions on one cheap die to make an integrated circuit, whereas tubes are limited to at most three functional units per glass bulb.  "" your way ignorant " electronics engineer " was thinking in integrated circuits. LoL ? ! ! ! """
  3. Lower power consumption, less waste heat, and high efficiency than equivalent tubes, especially in small-signal circuits.
  4. Can operate on lower-voltage supplies for greater safety, lower costs, tighter clearances.
  5. Matching transformers not required for low-impedance loads.
  6. Usually more physical ruggedness than tubes (depends upon construction).


Transistors disadvantages:

  1. Tendency toward higher distortion than equivalent tubed circuits.  """ ignorant and stupid """
  2. Complex circuits and considerable negative feedback required for low distortion.  """ ignorant and stupid """
  3. Sharp clipping, in a manner widely considered non-musical, due to considerable negative feedback commonly used. Does not gracefully roll-off or gently compress; instead, cuts off sharply, suddenly and abruptly with extremely hard edge.   """ ignorant and stupid.  """
  4. Device capacitances tend to vary wildly with applied voltages (Miller effect).


It's a waste of time with your " expert ".

and that's your reference?, now I can understand whom you really are. Something worst that the AHEE.

Good for you.

R.

Oh gosh Raul your so smart!!!  I had no idea!!  Let me get this straight, anything that doesn't fit with your way of thinking is "ignorant and stupid". 
Thanks for  your enlightenment, oh wise one… 
 What are your qualifications again?? 
rauliruegas
Well your " electronic engineer " just " speaks " with out showing any arguments or foundation ...
OK, Raul, let's look at your "arguments or foundation" ...

for whom and why? ...
who says that and why? ... your way ignorant " electronics engineer " ...Has no idea, only talks ...
SS devices is only for experts and not for your " electronic engineer ...
that electronic engineer is almost an ignorant or stupid one ...
so what? ...
so what ?
ignorant and stupid ...ignorant and stupid ...
 ignorant and stupid ...
It's a waste of time with your " expert "...