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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 :)




fsmithjack
fsmithjack's avatar
fsmithjack OP
605 posts
 
Yes namdric for sure the entire system is so very important but the rest of the system I understand, have built and am quite happy with.


Associated Equipment:

Digital Sources: Bricasti Design M1 Special Edition DAC; Sonore microRendu 2.5 Music Server, Uptone Audio JS-2 Linear Power Supply, Small Green Computer Sonic Transporter I5,  Uptone Audio LPS-1 Ultra-Capacitor Power Supply (2), Wyred 4 Sound Remedy Femto Re-Clocker, Uptone Audio ISO Regen, Denon 2910 DVD/CD Player

Analogue: Turntable: VPI Aries 3D Limited Editon, Tonearm: 10.5 Inch Printed 3D, Catridge: Denon DL-S1, Step Up Transformer: Bob’s Device Cinemag 1131

Preamplification: Mark Levinson No.326s Duel-Mono Linestage and phonostage preamp, Antique Sound Labs AQ-2004DT Tube Linestage preamp

Power Amplifiers: Pass Labs X350.5 Balanced Stereo Amplifier

Loudspeakers: Magico S5 M-Cast Bronze Speakers, Rethm Saadhana V3 Speakers

Cables: Phono: Darwin Ascension, Interconnect: Nordost Heimdall 2 XLR (2), Nordost Baldur XLR, Darwin Ascension 2, Verastarr Grand Illusion Signature, Cardas Clear Reflection, Speaker: Kubala-Sosna Emotion 2.5m, AC: Zu Event, Zu Mission, Verastarr Grand Illusion II, DC: Gent Audio Custom DC Cables (Canare/Oyaide) (8), USB: Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference, Curious Cables 200m Regen link, Audiocadabra Ultimus3 Double-Headed Solid-Silver USB Cable, DROK USB Multi meter/Tester, Digital: Black Cat Silverstar 75 BNC/S/PDIF, MIT Terminator-3 RCA S/PDIF, DH Labs Silver Sonic D-75 RCA S/PDIF (2), Tara Labs Prism 100dx-1 Tosilink, HDMI: AudioQuest Chocolate 1m, AudioQuest Forest 3m, Ethernet: AudioQuest Vodka RJ/E, AudioQuest Forest RJ/E (3), Cardas Clear RJ/E, Netgear GS108 Switch,

Sundries / Accessories: Solid Tech Hybrid 3-Shelf Rack w/matching / attaching Solid Tech Hybrid 2 Shelf Rack, w/Solid Tech Rack of Silence Amplifier Stand, SRA Ohio Class Isolation Platform, Sumposium Segue ISO-Platform, PS Audio P10 Power Plant power conditioner; Red Dragon Audio Ceramic Cable Elevators (4), EdenSound Brass Vibration Weights (8), Bright Star IsoNode Footers, iFi Audio iPower 9V DC Power Supply (2), Uptone Audio Amber Regen, Cardas Audio BTS-9 Banana to Spade, Breeze Audio Linear Power Supplies (2), PS Audio Noise Harvesters (6), Furutech GTX (R) outlet, Oyaide R1 Beryllium AC Wall outlets (2) ; Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula (2)
— Fsmithjack


rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
@fsmithjack : """ Are you guys sure I am not way over my head with this cart? """

absolutely yes but not because its design but because for a little more money you could have ( not now that you bougth it. ) a way better cartridge as the A90 . With the Ortofon you can stay very near to the digital alternative and nearer on what’s in the recording and with your S1 decision you are far away from there.

I don't know whom gave you the SUT advise before you bougth it but was not a good advise in anyway.

R.
fsmithjack's avatar
fsmithjack OP
605 posts
 
Yup the SUT was a bad call in my rig with this cart but in fairness to me I bought it before the cart. 

Bob’s Device Cinemag 1131 in perfect 9/10 Condition for $750 for anyone that wants It that has a cart it will work well with.

i am considering a straight up trade my pre for a Manley Steelhead - prob a bad deal for me as my pre is worth more and is a better linestage but the Steelhead Phono I’ve heard is great but doubt I have the guts to pull the trigger. My pre is just too good regardless of the Phono.

I paid $575 with Shipping for Denon S1. Not sure the A90 is a little more money. Plus the A90 had 400 hours and who knows how many real hours. The thing could have 985 hours on it and where does that leave me.

Atleast the Denon is NOS NIB and seemed like a decent cart for $575.

My hope is that it is good enough to wet my appetite for a better Cart and it becomes my first extra in what hopefully is a nice litte stash of clean low carts to play around with. Yippee !!!! Lol 
analogluvr
800 posts
 
 The Denon cartridge is better in the manner that if he doesn't like it he can sell it and probably get his money back. These ortofons you keep going on about, are definitely good cartridges, but you're talking about an extra $1600. 
rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear @analogluvr : These are some specs of a very well regarded OTL manufacturer for whom I have a great respect:

.......................................................................................................

Output power30 watts per channel into 8 Ω load
 Bandwidth2Hz-75KHz within ½ dB
Hum and noiseLess than -75db below 1 watt, -95db below full power (30 watts)
DistortionTotal Harmonic Distortion ( THD ) typically 1% at full power
Feedback 2 dB

....................................................................................

maybe the numbers on your OTL could be better I don't know because you did not name it.

Well, take a look to that restricted/limited bandwidth, noise levels, THD and feedback.
All this numbers only speaks of a technology really limited against today SS amps where as in Spectral the the frequency range goes over 1 Mhz ( if you ask or tell that we don't need that so wide bandwidth then you just can't understand why and my recomendation is that you ask directly to Dr. Johnson Spectral owner. ) but you posted about distortion levels and you can read here that 1% when a SS goes around  0.01 or lower as 0.001 and the like, there you read 2b on feedback and higher noise levels that any SS decent amp.

But if we go to phonolinepreamp all things goes really really worst so worst that it's futile to talk about.

R.
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