Cary PH-302 MKII

[dminches]

For anyone who owns this phono pre (or any tubed phono pre for that matter), what are you using for isolation or vibration control?

[Formerly YB-2]

Generally, they are well designed from the factory and have never felt the need for additional vibration control. Some folks use the high temp silicone rings on the individual tubes and have used sorbothane hemispheres under the feet, but have never really 'heard' the advantage in doing so.

[Banter]

I have one of this. I am not using any isolation. My many years of experience has taught me : if a product is designed well then it does not require any further gizmos. However adding aftermarket tweaks does change sound, not necessarily improve it.

[Formerly YB-2]

Banter - could you give us a report/review of your PH 302 MKII? Am looking for a phono-preamp and the 302 is high on my list and would be an excellent match to the SLI 80. Thanks.

[Formerly YB-2]

Guess I'll answer my own question shortly. Just purchased a PH 302 and should have in a day or two as is coming from Audio Connection in north Jersey.

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Guess I'll answer my own question shortly. Just purchased a PH 302 and should have in a day or two as is coming from Audio Connection in north Jersey.

I wonder if that is a Had design as well. I think the original model was around 2005.

[Formerly YB-2]

Peter - as you are in contact with Dennis, could you ask? The one I've got on the way is the original model (not the MkII). Would be interesting to know. Will see if I can live without the extra 6db of gain in the MkII.

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Peter - as you are in contact with Dennis, could you ask? The one I've got on the way is the original model (not the MkII). Would be interesting to know. Will see if I can live without the extra 6db of gain in the MkII.

I posed the question for you. I imagine Cary could also answer that one.

.....Peter

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Peter - as you are in contact with Dennis, could you ask? The one I've got on the way is the original model (not the MkII). Would be interesting to know. Will see if I can live without the extra 6db of gain in the MkII.

And he says...

I designed the PH302 in ... gosh ... lets see ... 1995. Actually my first 6SL7 phono pre was back in 1978 as part of my all "Home-Brew" audio system.

If you can PM me on AudioCircle, user name "pstrisik", I can give you a little more info.

[Formerly YB-2]

Thanks, Peter.
Dennis must have gotten our request for info on the PH 302 at about the same time and also received a similar response. He added that he is very much into vinyl and sent along a pic of his up-graded Rek-O-Kut TT system and himself. We had a nice chat and have 'age' in common, along with our appreciation of music/tube gear. Dennis also said he should have his "truly explosive" 6SL7/6SN7/5AR4 MM/MC phono preamp ready to go by the end of the summer. Looking forward to same.