Still pondering on a change of cartridge just because!
Looking at the ART9, various ZYX models and a Transfiguration Axia.
Choices, choices! |
Have faith, its gets better and better with 50 plus hours on it.
Also you may want to consider trying an aftermarket fuse and power cord, both made noticeable improvements to my ears.
Good luck and enjoy |
Robert
I had a Clearaudio tt with a Clearaudio cart ( do not remember which the cart was about $550). I remember not being too impressed at the time.
However a lot of changes in my system since then.
I see you can get the Ortofon 2m Bronze for like $380 shipped on eBay, not a lot of cash for a trial for sure.
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Robert
Nothing as yet
He did say would email me when in stock but may have to remind him...
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Sounds good Robert
I am sure there are much better amps out than the 2170 but the wonders it revealed in my terrible acoustic room means it stays...for now...lol.
What I have done is buy two carts, ebay had 15% off today so used my account to buy one and the wifes to buy the second, $180 saved total.
ART-9 and ZYX RS30
Both coming from outside the usa so have a couple weeks to wait before I can so some serious comparao testing |
rsf507
Glad to hear it, it should just keep getting better!
Now take a leap of faith and try and aftermarket fuse in it too, there is even more to be had! |
Amgradmd
Nice to hear from fellow ph10 owners.
As far as the fuse I went with Sr blue because I had previously used SR black in a DAC with excellent results.
And the sr blue thread has very positive reviews on this fuse.
I can only concur and it is a superb improvement for just $150.
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No problem
And yes that is correct on fuse size |
Well the ZYX RS30 showed up today so of course I had to fit it right away!
First thoughts, thank heaven for the ph10! Needed to scroll through various setting to get the sound as I preferred it, not something easily done when you have to keep opening a box up and moving jumpers around!.
So first impression of the cartridge.
Quite a bit brighter and detailed than the Shelter. So far I like it with 0db gain( it is 0.24mv) and loading of 470 and the America Columbia curve.But this may change as it breaks in and I cycle through a few more albums.
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The ART is coming from Germany, it is in transit but that is all the tracking says.
Rookie mistake on the zyx yesterday.
Set the alignment, set the vtf and dropped the needle to play as excited.
Doh, did not set the vta! And the zyx is a lot shallower cart than the Shelter so needed a lot of change.
Then it sounded much better, nowhere near as bright as previous and a lot more tonal midrange really noticeable on male vocals and acoustic guitar.
Same settings on ph10 apart from curve to riaa now. |
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I do have a number of 60,s and 70,s records and some of them need help....lol.
Tbh the America Columbia curve tames the brightness and harsnhess a fair bit.
Which is why the zyx sounded better but ONLY because the vta was way to steep.
Once this was corrected riaa regular sounded the best.
Certainly glad to have the flexibility of the ph10 and think it was a very good choice for my new phono stage.
All those changes in seconds with immediate confirmation from listening not 10 minutes memory.
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Robelvick
Have never turned mine off since buying it, apart from when I moved stuff round on the racks
Do not even turn the display off.
I also usually leave the 2170 on as well so it is instant high quality music |
Robert
Are you still using the balanced outs from the PH-10 to feed the Micromega?
I did try the balanced vs the single ended into the 2170 and tbh preferred the sound of the single ended.
Just curious |
Interesting.
I did a back to back on both and it was not noise floor or dynamics that were the issue.
The xlr just gave me a very bright brittle sound with loss of mid and bass. Very tipped up at the top. no manner of adjustment cured that at all.
I ran xlr at -3db and rca at present 0db.
Matched db levels with the 2170 input sensitivity but to no avail. Just sounded horrible on xlr in my system.
Very odd.
I wonder if I am missing something in 2170 setup as my OPPO was the same results although much more pronounced on the ph10
You do not have to change anything on the ph10 for the balanced output do you? |
I have considered the possibility of something being wrong using balanced but this would mean 1 of 3 things.
1/ Goldnote wired their xlr plugs incorrectly direct at factory.
2/ Lyngdorf wired their xlr plugs incorrectly direct at factory.
3/ Wireworld wired their cables incorrectly direct at factory.
None of those seem likely but who knows and short of opening things up I am not sure how you can easily test for mistakes like that and how to nail down which would be the culprit if this is the case. |
Only have one set right now
Wireworld gold eclipse 7.
The rca are Nordost red dawn which are traditionally supposed to give a leaner sound so I would be surprised if it was just the make of cable.
How bad it sounds I am thinking something a little more involved |
Al
Kind of where my thought process was moving as I noted a few posts ago that SOMETHING is likely wired incorrectly direct from the factory.
But you are right, the cables are relatively easy to test, if they pan out I guess I could plug them into the Gold note and repeat the same test which would hopefully point the way further.
And agreed it is easy to confuse the pinout from one end to the other.
We use similar style plugs for 270vac power in our equipment and some of the "apprentices " in the shop regular misconnect one end in relation to the other, good job we have circuit breakers on all circuits...lol!
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Well cables measure correctly and thank the Lord for my lighted magnifying glass!
All go to correct pins and no multi crossed signals so next will try them in the Gold note but its time to venture to the airport for another week of fun in sunny Wisconsin!
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As I think on, the same issue arose on both the OPPO and the PH-10 sothe common factor there was the cables or the 2170 inputs.
I have ruled out the cables as being terminated incorrectly and I would be shocked if it was just the tonality of those cables making such a profound difference.
Which would leave just the xlr inputs on the 2170.
How would I easily test them?
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Well it looks like the Wireworld eclipse6 were just a poor fit in the mix.
Bought a cheap pair of Audioquest Coral xlr I saw on local cl for a test and a whole world of difference.
Still think I prefer the sound of the Nordost red dawn RCA right now but I can at least listen to the Corals without wanting to turn it off!
Grannyring is making me a couple pair of xlr cables for me to test so it is good to know it was just the timbre of the cable that did not gel here. |
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Robert
An art cartridge did indeed arrive, however it was not the art 9, it was the art 7, they shipped the wrong one.
They are completely in the wrong but are now baulking about replacing it with the correct one and suggest I try it which I really do not want to do.
I will work it out....lol. |
Robert
that was one of my main concerns on opening it up. The other being from Al,s information provided it would appear the art9 would be better suited to my musical tastes. |
Robert
Definitely sounds intriguing
I wonder who I might know that still has a ph10 and a 2170.....
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I thought this was my private chat room........
😂😂 |
Robert.
Looks very interesting indeed.
Lots of good reviews.
Please keep us updated.
About $500? |
I usually forget to check Amazon!
The wife lives on it but I am still stuck on eBay...lol |
Nice to see somebody who changes their equipment more often than myself....lol.
Most earlier phono suggestions were tube based and as you just bought that ifi microtube not sure if that would have much point |
@slaw
Not really sure why you have decided to make it your mission to criticize my actions or posts but whatever makes you happy. Not my intention to provoke your ire, I am just here to learn what I can, share my experiences and enjoy the music!
Lets see though...
Lyngdorf 2170..... likely here to stay
Nottingham Analog Spacedeck……. likely here to stay
GoldNote PH-10 phono stage.... likely here to stay
Cartridges... yes they will be an evolving mission
Cables...… pretty much done with them now Grannyring has made me a superb set of XLR cables.
Bluesound Vault 2... was thinking of an update after 18 months but nothing much better around at all.
Speakers, yes just decided to update from my old Wilson Witt mk1 to a pair of the new Tekton Di, which have rave reviews by actual owners everywhere.
Nakamichi 582 tape deck.... likely here to stay.
Underpant….yep changing them frequently.
Seriously though not sure of your "dig".
Most of my purchases have been used and as used there really is no "burnin" required so what I hear is what I get right away and some items I have bought just were instant, "well not a good fit at all"
In all honesty if my posts and actions offend you then probably best to just ignore them. Its a hobby, I enjoy it and the music that flows forth and if I decided to mix things up earlier to get to where I am now then where is the harm in that?
Oh and when I listen to music at least 5 to 6 hours a day I get PLENTY of time to evaluate changes I have made tbh, at least in my system to my ears and imho.
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Nice shortlist.
I assume you will be returning the iFi to Amazon as it was more of a tube sound test than anything?
I know the Manley was highly recommended earlier, just did not sound like it would have been a good impedance match to the 2170. |
Al,
I thought much earlier it was thought that most of the tube phono stages discussed would not be a good match for the 2170?
Not that it matters too much at this stage as I am very happy with the ph10 and Robert has moved on from the 2170.
Edit....just reread your first post on the impedance issue and yes you stated the Chinook should have no issues at all with the 2170.
Not sure how I translated that to be all the tube phono stages mentioned would be a poor match!
My bad but still very happy with the ph10 so far. |
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Not sure how much benefit I would see from a separate psu for the ph10 as I presently feed it from my equicore 1800.
Especially at $1100. |
Thought the retail was $1100 according to an email I got from Toska, but would charge me $1000 as I bought the ph10 from him.
So not sure where $1250 came from, however even at $1000 I am going to pass as with my equicore 1800 supplying juice not sure if it would be a cost effective $1000 upgrade for me.
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$1295?
New? Here in the USA?
Darn that is CHEAP!
I paid $1595..... grrrr…...
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At $1100 I gave that a miss.
Not sure I would get that value as I power everything already through an Equicore 1800. |
May well be Robert
But $1100 got me an Ayre AX7E so its definitely more towards the bottom of my considered upgrade list. |
I have to report that the ph10 is a much better match with the Ayre than it was with the 2170 to my ears.
It definitely has a more analog, warmer, fuller feel to it.
Been flipping vinyl all day.
One nice thing that is likely helping is the gain in the Ayre on the balanced input I am running the ph10 into seems fairly high. This allowed me to reduce the gain of the ph10 to -3db again which helped reduce the background hiss considerably.
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Now that I am not using the Lyngdorf 2170 amp any more with its input impedance restriction, I am left wondering just what the HERRON would sound like in my system.
It seems to have numerous advocates by respected members for sure.
However I do love the simplicity of the PH-10 and the sq is to my ears stunning but you just never know.
Of course that would mean more used gear to sell at an ever increasing loss in this extremely depressed market and not sure I can handle any more of that right now either.
May just keep my eyes open for a used Herron but have never seen one yet.
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@chakster
So glad to hear you are happy with the ph-10 and its ability to drive ultra lomc.
Makes me think I made the right choice after all.
The ease of use and speed of changes cannot be bettered by anything out there at any price imho.
The optional power supply is supposed to improve things further but at $1000 I have given that a miss for now.
My present cart is 0.24mv and I run that at -0.3db and the background is the quietest I have ever heard.
Time to stop thinking about a change of phono I feel, maybe just time to look at additional carts for that breath of fresh air.
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@chakster
Have you tried any of your collection of vintage MM carts through it yet?
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I think the $1100 list here in the USA has likely put a few people off upgrading to the psu.
I have an original Grace F9e that I need to get round to trying someday. |
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Budget is not really an issue but not sure what ratio to value of tt/cart would be fair and sensible.
Will read up on the ones suggested
Thank you
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Yea I have read many places that a tube phono is recommended.
Any suggestions on which?
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Read up on the 3 mentioned so far.
What cost for phono stage would be regarded as sensible when you take into account cartridge cost which is approx $1150 new? |
Al
I was genuinely hoping you would chime in because when it comes to impedance matching etc, you always seem to have the answers.
And just maybe you help save me wasting time and dollars and ultimately being dissapointed.
So Chinook should be a good impedance match.
I need then look for other possibilities that are in the same range.
Thank you |
Thanks Robelvick, will check that out |
@almarg
probably me but I could find no mention of the output optimal loading in the Herron manual so obviously I am not understanding correctly at all.
So not sure what I should be looking for exactly in other phono manuals like the gold note?
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Thanks robelvick, you are correct I did find that but I deleted my post to make a different post to hopefully cure my obvious non understanding!
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@almarg
Thank you for your patience and time, yes I missed that on the Herron as was just looking at the last page under specs!
So then for example the gold note is listed as having output impedance of 500 so x10 or even x20 to be safe would be between 5 and 10k which should also make it a possible contender in the match up stakes for the 2170.
However I believe you are correct that my next step should be to have Lyngdorf confirm the unbalanced input impedance which could be at odds with the small info gleaned as it actually has two different sets of analog inputs.
One set of 2 single ended inputs come standard and then there is an additional optional analog input module which I had on my amp which carries the balanced set and 2 further sets of single ended inputs so giving me 5 analog inputs in total.
All of the single ended should be the same but you never know.
But again thank you as at least I have something to work off right now and the start of a plan that now does not include wasting money but hopefully getting it right first time. |
I have emailed Lyngdorf to get their statement on the correct single ended impedance so will wait until I have that to hand before looking much further.
Budget is not an issue apart from common sense! |
Before I make any decisions I will wait to hear back from Lyngdorf with their information on what the actual impedance on the single ended inputs is.
Many thanks for all of the great suggestions and excellent advice. |
