#21
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Truer words were never spoken about using step-up transformers. Personally, with my experience with my Koetsu and my Shelter, I wouldn't consider using a moving coil without one anymore. Just as I wouldn't have a system without a sub in it.
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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. |
#22
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Dan, sorry to hear your having issues with your phono preamp.
Maybe this shows that your search for a great phono stage has ended with the one in you already have in the C2300.
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Chuck McIntosh, PMC, Bryston, Olive, Rega, Ortofon 2M Black, JL Audio, PS Audio, Alan Maher, Aural Harmony, Black Mountain, Wireworld, Symposium, DIY amp switch box, P Millett DIY headphone amp. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] |
#23
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That is very true, especially in MC mode.
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#24
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Dan,
Sometimes the enemy of good is better and in this case you have learned that the phono stage in your C2300 is as good as a separate $3800 phono stage . Since a MC cartridge needs more gain than a MM cartridge and acts like a microphone when it is sitting there, you will likely hear some noise when nothing is playing with any phono stage, while the volume control is turned up. I have learned to press the mute button when I get up to flip my LP's and turn it off when I am back in the listening chair. It sounds dumb but it works, I do not hear any background noise |
#25
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Dan has the sound changed at all from yesterday?
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#26
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Stephen.......Had I left the stock McIntosh tubes in the phono stage of the C2300 the Pass Labs XP-15 would be quieter, but with the Telefunken 12AX7's in the C2300 phono stage the noise floor is much quieter than stock, and quieter than the Pass Labs XP-15.
The XP-15 has been energized since 6 PM last night. There is no power switch, so it stays on continuously. I have 11 hours of music played through it from last night to now. It is a fine sounding phono preamp. The dry edge has melted to some degree from last night to today, but the noise floor is still higher than the C2300 phono stage and I don't believe this is going to change. When music is playing, the difference in the noise floor between the XP-15 and the C2300 is not noticeable, but with no signal it is apparent the XP-15 is not as quiet. This is what bothers me, and has dampened my enthusiasm for the Pass Labs phono preamp. I went through all the different connections schemes suggested last night. Serge suggested I lift one of the two ground wires on the SME interconnects. Lifting either one introduced a low level hum, and both needed to be grounded for this to disappear. Shane suggested I try single ended interconnects, so I swapped the balanced Wireworld Silver Eclipse for single ended Wireworld Silver Eclipse. This made no difference in the noise floor between the XP-15 and the C2300 so I returned to the balance interconnects. Perhaps I should be less concerned about the difference in noise floor between the XP-15 and the C2300 if I cannot hear it while music is playing, but my nature will not accept this, and certainly not for the cost of the XP-15 versus what I already own and is included in the C2300. The Pass Labs XP-15 is not living up to my expectations, so I am returning it. I will continue to use the C2300 phono stage preamp, at least for now.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#27
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Dan,
Sorry to hear this did not work out for you. At least you have the option to return it and only be out the shipping cost and some time. Sure beats having to sell it and take a loss. I am sure you will find the solution that meets your needs in the near future and besides, what you have currently is pretty darn good.
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Buddy Boulder 1160 Amp, 1110 Pre-Amp Audio Research Ref. 3 Phono-Pre Vivid Audio Giya G2S2 Speakers MSB Reference DAC Innuos Statement w/Next Gen. PS B & W DB1D Subwoofer X2 Audioquest Niagara 5000 Power Conditioner Kronos Pro Turntable w/Kronoscope RS tonearm + SCPS-1 PS + MSL Platinum Cart. VPI HW-40 Turntable w/ Lyra Etna cartridge Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3 CD Transport Schiit Mjolnir 2 HPA + Audeze LCD X headphones Adona Equipment Rack and Amp Stands Furutech Outlets and Plates + NCF Booster Shunyata Cables Synergistic Research Galileo SX Ground Block, FEQ 4, Black Box + Room Acoustic treatments |
#28
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Buddy.......After comparing the XP-15 to the moving coil phono stage in the C2300 I am more impressed than ever with the C2300. It is a very clean MC phono stage. I plan to sit tight for awhile.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#29
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Quote:
You may have a faulty tube. The phonostage of the 2300 should be very quiet.
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There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats Albert Schweitzer |
#30
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Dan,
What a disappointment! Sorry it did not work out for you, The search continues. :^) Best of luck, Jim
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It's all about the Music, but I sure like the way my gear makes it come alive! |
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