Dear Zanth: I understand that you own over 1K Lp's and this means that you have a good investment on software.
You own a Michel/SME/Koetsu analog rig that tell me you really care about music sound quality reproduction.
At the same time ( with all respect to EAR and EAR owners. ) you own the 834P that almost destroy the cartridge signal integrity: it is heavy colored, noisy ( signal to noise ratio of 66db ), RIAA eq. deviation higher than 1 db, high output impedance, etc, etc, etc.
I think that you want to grow-up on the overall quality performance level when you hear LP's, right?, well if you want it then IMHO is that you forget about the 834P ( and up-grades to it ) or step-up transformers and goes for a real better phono stage with out step ups.
Btw, +++++ " if paired with exceptional step ups.... " +++++
IMHO there is no single " exeptional " SUT at any price/any design, the best step up is NO step up at all.
Like always my advise is that you put your money ( as much you can ) where it counts more: the phono stage, the reward is worth it.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
You own a Michel/SME/Koetsu analog rig that tell me you really care about music sound quality reproduction.
At the same time ( with all respect to EAR and EAR owners. ) you own the 834P that almost destroy the cartridge signal integrity: it is heavy colored, noisy ( signal to noise ratio of 66db ), RIAA eq. deviation higher than 1 db, high output impedance, etc, etc, etc.
I think that you want to grow-up on the overall quality performance level when you hear LP's, right?, well if you want it then IMHO is that you forget about the 834P ( and up-grades to it ) or step-up transformers and goes for a real better phono stage with out step ups.
Btw, +++++ " if paired with exceptional step ups.... " +++++
IMHO there is no single " exeptional " SUT at any price/any design, the best step up is NO step up at all.
Like always my advise is that you put your money ( as much you can ) where it counts more: the phono stage, the reward is worth it.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.