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In Reply to: New Here - Did I make a mistake??? posted by nwobhm79 on December 18, 2005 at 16:03:28:
Lots of ideas - thanks everyone. Sounds like I made a good decision.Well, I don't have the MMF-7 yet, should be here later in the week. I'll let you know how it compares to the Technics. Yes, I still have it.
As for phono-stage, I was using the built in card in my amp, but I've got the new Cambridge 640p flagship stage on loan from my dealer but haven't hooked it up yet. I figured I'd try that once the Music Hall arrives and then go from there - let me know any recommendations.
I listen to mostly rock and jazz (everything from Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zeppelin and Nazareth, to Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins). Not much classical or pop.
I've actually been listening to vinyl non-stop since the 70's and can align a cartridge, set a table up, etc. - but haven't played around much tweaking tables with different mats and so on.
I did pick up a tonearm damper for the Technics a couple of years ago when I bought it - you fill it with a thick liquid and it's supposed to help with performance. It did help with tracking but things still don't sound "right".
Any advice on phono-stages or cartridges (around $300 or less each) are welcome. Although I plan on running the Eroica for a while just to make sure!
Follow Ups:
You can get the Bellari VP129 Tube Phono Amp for under $200.00 at many outlets (Music Direct, Needledoctor.com). Getting a lot of nice reviews/responses here. Also check out sales at Audiogon.com under Preamplifiers / Phono for some great buys for better phono stages.
The Eroica is a good cartridge. Some say it sounds "dark" although I do not hear that. It is on the warm side of neutral, though. It should suffice and with the Gyger stylus should give a long service life. As for a phono stage, DO NOT cut corners. Buy the very best you can, or can't, afford. Really good ones that will work with your high output MC cart start around $500 with the Jolida, Lehmann, etc. My personal preference is the Rogue Stealth, which retails for $799 and can be had used for $550-600. It's a great match with my Eroica/MMF-7. Plus it has very flexible gain/loading options and will accept just about any cartridge you want to throw at it from very low output MCs to MMs.
But the phono stage is as much about personal taste as anything else, so trust your own two ears.
Henry
Thanks for the information - although I've never thought of spending as much (or more!) as I have in my amp on the phono stage! - I may get back in touch with you once I get the table set up and get some additional information. I've not heard of the Rogue or Jolida but have heard of the Lehmann ("Cube" or something like that???).Any ideas as to where I might pick these up used but well cared for? I've been buying and selling on e-bay for years but it seems it's a crap-shoot as far as equipment goes.
I would recommend checking Audiogon regularly. Stealths and Black Cubes show up there from time to time. The Jolida JD-9A is worth considering at $450 new. Of course, I'd rather have my Stealth, but I'm prejudiced.
Henry
Henry gives good advice. I followed it and upgraded to the mmf-7. I'm glad I did.I have a different prejudice on the phono stage. My preferences lean more to tubed (hybrid) sound and so I'm enjoying the JoLida JD 9. It's a perfect match for the Eroica H high output mc cartridge because it has a wide latitude of settings. But that's if you prefer the hybrid sound. Some do, some don't. Like the Stealth, the JD 9 is very adaptable to whatever cartridge (mm/homc/lomc) you may end up with.
I'd love to have a Stealth to compare, though. I'm sure it sounds great!
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