REF Phono 10 in the house

[analog brother]

yes, progress is relentless...

[Number95]

Originally Posted by dkrm

Congrats. Glad it is noticeably better than Ref2SE. Mine is close to 80 hours now. What is riaa phonostage burn in device? Can you post photo or link. Thanks

Thank you. How is the performance after 80 hours?

The burning in device I use Kab reverse riaa converter, it takes signal from a cd player and then converts into a tiny signal similar to cartridge output then you connect its output to your phono preamp cartridge input. Now you have a continious signal via your phono preamp without playing vinyl and using your precious cartridge! I put the link below:
kabusa.com/preconlp . KAB GREAT SOUND ESCORT PRECONLP AT KABUSA.COM
I found the signal thru phono preamp is very sensitive to loading. At 47k the sound from phono stage is much stronger while 50 ohm you barely hear the sound from speakers at very low preamp volume. For sure you do not need to turn on power amps while burning in your phono stage.

[Number95]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Congrats !

Funny world where new units to burn in replace "almost burned in" others.....

Agree it is a funny world :-)

I learned about Ref ph10 right after I ordered my Ref2 SE. Even if I am pleased with Ref2 SE a lot after PH7, after upgrading my preamp to Ref 10, the performance gap at least proved for phono stage brother of Ref 10. I decided to bite bullet and get Ref ph10. Is it worth its price over Ref2 SE? That is up to one's wallet and rest of the system for sure.

[dkrm]

Originally Posted by Number95

Thank you. How is the performance after 80 hours?

The burning in device I use Kab reverse riaa converter, it takes signal from a cd player and then converts into a tiny signal similar to cartridge output then you connect its output to your phono preamp cartridge input. Now you have a continious signal via your phono preamp without playing vinyl and using your precious cartridge! I put the link below:
kabusa.com/preconlp . KAB GREAT SOUND ESCORT PRECONLP AT KABUSA.COM
I found the signal thru phono preamp is very sensitive to loading. At 47k the sound from phono stage is much stronger while 50 ohm you barely hear the sound from speakers at very low preamp volume. For sure you do not need to turn on power amps while burning in your phono stage.

Thanks for the link. Certainly useful.

I must say that I am agreeable with TAS that burning-in is pain in the rear. One day it sounded really sublime but next day it made you wonder why you paying so much of it. It definitely getting better slowly but it have not stabilise yet at 80 hours.

[Number95]

Originally Posted by dkrm

Thanks for the link. Certainly useful.

I must say that I am agreeable with TAS that burning-in is pain in the rear. One day it sounded really sublime but next day it made you wonder why you paying so much of it. It definitely getting better slowly but it have not stabilise yet at 80 hours.

One good reason to use burning in device with ARC :-)

[FlexibleAudio]

Originally Posted by Number95

Attachment 33508

Ref10 phono finally arrived. First two hours of listening, compared to an almost burned in Ref2 SE... authority, easiness, dynamic ability beyond....resolution of complex musical passages simply no match...now the unit is burning in via reverse riaa phono stage burn in device...more to come...

Congratulations!!! Greatly looking forward to more updates. Have fun.

[FlexibleAudio]

How is the Ref 10 Phono breaking in?

[Number95]

Originally Posted by FlexibleAudio

How is the Ref 10 Phono breaking in?

Sorry I saw your response on other forum and just realized this one. My unit is still breaking in, now 70 hours. Sound was already better right out of the box compared to Ref2 SE, but getting better still. I get more 3d sounstaging as well as refined dynamics. It gives almost everthing from the groove the cartridge resolves while with Ref2 SE I did not notice some of the details. That creates a much more realistic presentation and connects you more to the music as if yoy dont focus your gear anymore but only music. You almost get the mood of musicians and move to the ambience itself in the music. I never felt that way with Ref2 SE which is also a very good unit. Let us see how unit improves over time.

[FlexibleAudio]

Thanks, That sounds great for only 70 hours. Very encouraging.

[dkrm]

UPDATE : Just reach 200hrs. It really opened up. Instrument separation more obvious.

BAD NEWS : It start to developed static sound on right channel. I have eliminated all possibilities that it may caused by other component (preamp, power amp, PC, IC, SC). Don't know what caused this static. Could it be the tube?