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Phono-Pre Amps & Cartridges Welcome to the Dark Side! |
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#21
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First post here. I just bought the new Allnic H1202 Phono stage. Have had lotsa differnt phono stages and this one is very, very good.
bc |
#22
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There are likely improvements to be had with the better external phono stages but I've stayed the course with the C1100 stage to date even as I've graduated to more expensive cartridges and SUT's (Air Tight Opus-1 on it's way).
I've found it to be a significant upgrade over the C500P I owned previously in this regard and the noise floor is remarkably low. You also have 60db of gain and generous MC load alternatives to accommodate a range of cartridges. I'd have to dig for the AA thread around the time of the introduction of the C1100 but Ron C from McIntosh commented that it was their best stage yet. Many external phono stages that deliver wonderful performance otherwise can add significant noise and you would be adding additional interconnects into the signal path which would have to be overcome by the perceived improvement of the new stage. I haven't experimented with NOS tubes but would echo the suggestion that you spend some time with the internal stage first and experiment with tuning the sound via different cartridges and/or SUT's (which also offer high signal to noise ratios) before you make a big investment in an external stage. This approach would also better guide your priorities for an external stage if that's where you land. |
#23
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As far as I am concerned, this is really easy: Get the Zesto. You will be very happy.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#24
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Phono stages interact with cartridges in a big way. You really have to audition a phono stage in your system, with your cartridge to make any sense of what you are actually getting sonically. There is really no substitute for this practice.
All these heartfelt recommendations are honest but don’t necessarily apply to your specific situation. I have found the C 1100 to have a fine hybrid SS/Tube MC phono section. I have not yet compared it to other stand alone sections as the hassle of doing so in my system is significant. I don’t live in a major metro and can’t easily audition gear in my system.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
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