Audio Research PH-7

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Dave, I did not mean that you should buy a 12k phono stage.
I was replying to Dan's comment that he would prefer to have a 9k TT and a 3k phono stage.
When I hear the P9 / Exact in my system now, with the REF 2, I can assure you that most of the money should be put on the phono stage.
There are many "small" tables and carts that sound great.
I wish that you will find a new job very quickly.
If I had a record store, I would not only hire you but I would make you the boss of it, because your music knowledge is just incredible !
Hey ! Why wouldn't you come to Paris for a week ? Be my guest ! Just pay your airplane ticket and that's all !
Cheers,

Jérôme
Allows me not to agree, an average TT remains an average TT with or without REF 2, what is lost at the front end is definitively lost....

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Rafale

Jérôme
Allows me not to agree, an average TT remains an average TT with or without REF 2, what is lost at the front end is definitively lost....

I agree with your statement Philippe.
But my ears tell me that you don't loose so much between a 5k and a 15k TT, while you gain a lot between a 3k phono stage and a 12k one....

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

I agree with your statement Philippe.
But my ears tell me that you don't loose so much between a 5k and a 15k TT, while you gain a lot between a 3k phono stage and a 12k one....

The transparency of the REF 2 should easily reveal enormous differences between a 5k and 15 k TT or there is something wrong

[Jerome W]

Philippe, the more I listen to high end TT's versus "regular" ones ( around 5k : most of the lay people will already think that we're crazy to spend 5 k to spin a vinyl ) the more I realize that to my ears, the difference does not worth 10k.
Now, you may have much better ears than me, or you may consider that 10 k is well spent for the differences that you hear and I respect that of course.
I'm not alone to think what I think.
Here, Serge has the same opinion.
He will probably chime in as he uses also the Ref 2 without any " fancy" TT.

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

+1 !
I really don't understand how Dan made to guess that I was suggesting the REF 2 !

Me neither...haha

Sent from my DROIDX using A.Aficionado

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Philippe, the more I listen to high end TT's versus "regular" ones ( around 5k : most of the lay people will already think that we're crazy to spend 5 k to spin a vinyl ) the more I realize that to my ears, the difference does not worth 10k.
Now, you may have much better ears than me, or you may consider that 10 k is well spent for the differences that you hear and I respect that of course.
I'm not alone to think what I think.
Here, Serge has the same opinion.
He will probably chime in as he uses also the Ref 2 without any " fancy" TT.

The price does not mean much theoretically, the synergy is essential as well as the quality of the set-up, btw the investment has to judge itself in the time and according to your vinyl collection, these last 10 years I saved up a lot refusing to buy high-end CDP whose obsolescense is very fast and the re-sale value rather low, my source being evolutionary I make for my rhythm and according to my funds and to my requirements.....imho it is not logical to acquire one of the best phonostage around without associating it the best possible front-end, and the best TT for a given system is not inevitably the more expensive.......

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Dave, I did not mean that you should buy a 12k phono stage.
I was replying to Dan's comment that he would prefer to have a 9k TT and a 3k phono stage.
When I hear the P9 / Exact in my system now, with the REF 2, I can assure you that most of the money should be put on the phono stage.
There are many "small" tables and carts that sound great.
I wish that you will find a new job very quickly.
If I had a record store, I would not only hire you but I would make you the boss of it, because your music knowledge is just incredible !
Hey ! Why wouldn't you come to Paris for a week ? Be my guest ! Just pay your airplane ticket and that's all !
Cheers,

Jerome...thank you for the kind words my friend. Be careful inviting me to visit with music, wine, food & Paris, I may show up sooner than you think

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by f1 fan

Jerome...thank you for the kind words my friend. Be careful inviting me to visit with music, wine, food & Paris, I may show up sooner than you think

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

That's Good Dave !

[turntable]

I have heard the PH7 a couple of times in my system. It sounded nice, however due to the limited gain it did struggle a bit driving LOMC's. eg my dynavector XV-1 at around .35mv.

My then Pass Xono phono sounded better - more dynamic, quieter and still smooth.

cheers

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Rafale

The price does not mean much theoretically, the synergy is essential as well as the quality of the set-up, btw the investment has to judge itself in the time and according to your vinyl collection, these last 10 years I saved up a lot refusing to buy high-end CDP whose obsolescense is very fast and the re-sale value rather low, my source being evolutionary I make for my rhythm and according to my funds and to my requirements.....imho it is not logical to acquire one of the best phonostage around without associating it the best possible front-end, and the best TT for a given system is not inevitably the more expensive.......

Many good points Philippe.
I won't tell you that the P9 is better than a LP12 SE or even a Gyrodec.
But it puts a huge smile on my face which a few "big" and I mean expensive decks did not put. I'm impressed and I like a lot the LP12SE. I can't say if it will put this same big smile on my face as the P9 because I never heard the LP12SE in my system. But I think it will put this smile too of course.
Now as an orthodontist, I will tell you that my guess is that the P9 puts a smile to the second premolar. And probably that the LP12SE will extend this smile by 1 mm.... Does it worth 10k more ? the answer to that question is very personal.
The sound I get from my analog set up, from the cart to the speakers, is so enjoyable and beautiful, that I just can't justify to spend 15k in a TT now. This is my logic and if you find it "no logical" in regards to the REF 2, that's ok with me. I understand your point.
I think that the law of diminishing return will start for me now.
It is really time to set down and enjoy what I have. At last.