Deepak no clear winner yet except to say that the Sony ps-x555es mates well with every cart I have thrown at it while the denon is hit and miss. I am picking up a denon 103 fl this evening so well see.

Cool. Thanks for the advice on the Canrong, it's a nice gauge.

If you like the 103 (which I have loved for years, the "D"), you should check out the Zu DL 103D. It will blow your mind.

Edited December 12, 200916 yr by randerson3024
fuked up gramer and speling

so far I really like this cart very vivid and lifelike but just slightly crude

sounds great on the Denon 59L

Impressionistic view of new cart and arm in action. It sounds ... very different. I'm going to have to get used to this flavor before making a sober (ha!) assessment.

nice rig! Which shelter is that one?

It's the 501 MkII. Got it from a guy who'd just had it retipped at Soundsmith, so it has their ruby cantilever and line contact stylus. He said he thought it sounded better than the original, but that may just have been marketing.

JP, I love the look of that Denon table. Classic, no nonsense design.

The first rule of hi-fi is never tell your wife the real cost of hi-fi and make sure you buy her jewelry every chance you get.

Absolutely true. I disclose my audio purchases in GBP$ when caught.

Oh I am now getting ready to offset the ULN-8 with some ice. Bad time of year to have guilt.

My wife asked if we could get a turntable so she could play her old records

Perfect setup!!

...... approx $7,000 later, pretty sure she doesn't know the full extent of the damage

I bought Stacy a new BMW X3 in 2006. That's given me a 10 year grace period.

I love the Denon DL110 and DL160. I just mounted the DL110 and it sounds very similar to the DL160, with some break in it might sound even closer. They beat out two AT carts (including the 440mla, IMO most over rated cart on the SH forums). I keep thinking to go for a HO Bloom, but then I spend another small fortune on music

uh, just for my own liability, i wouldn't suggest turning the stuff off (the only way i know of is turning off sensors in the console) if the weather is bad.

Good stuff that Tina Brooks album in your last.fm

What do you guys think of the Bellari VP130 phono preamp with the 12AX7 tube in it? I wasn't satisfied with the NAD PP2 preamp and returned it before my 30 day return period was up, but I still have a tight budget after buying the WES. I'm using an NADC555 TT (like Rega P2) with Ortofon Blue 2M cart. Thanks!

Bellari is noisy and lame. Don't do it. Channel Islands and other phono stages are way better options in my book.

Thanks, I'll research the CIAudio VPP•1 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier. I think Grawk also recommended the Haggerman Bugle. Any others in that price range that I should look into while I'm at it?

A Pass Pearl would kick ass with the 2M. I know somebody who might have one for sale soon.

Anyone heard the ARC Ref Phono 2 yet? I love my PH-7 and almost feel good enough to just order the damn thing unheard.

The Pearl is a great phono stage.

A Pass Pearl would kick ass with the 2M. I know somebody who might have one for sale soon.

Sounds interesting - I might be up for it if the timing and price is right.

Maybe someone here might have some insight into this:

Vinyl Asylum

This is with a brand new DL-110 that replaced a worn 160. I'm hearing the cartridge play music (and it is a decent volume IMO)

Otherwise the music sounds fine through the headphones or speakers.

Got your message before Larry, I second all said about the Bellari. Noisy, flat, uninvolving, lame.

The Pearl is the real deal, though. You'll definitely notice a difference there.

All my carts sing to an extent

Maybe someone here might have some insight into this:

Vinyl Asylum

This is with a brand new DL-110 that replaced a worn 160. I'm hearing the cartridge play music (and it is a decent volume IMO)

Otherwise the music sounds fine through the headphones or speakers.

It really isn't a problem to my understanding and while it is more or less prominent with different carts I think it is always there.

Thanks, I'll research the CIAudio VPP•1 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier. I think Grawk also recommended the Haggerman Bugle. Any others in that price range that I should look into while I'm at it?

Check out [url=http://www.vista-audio.com]Vista Audio - one for the phono-1 rave reviews from audiocircle guys.Also check out audiocircle for the ACLE special edition version.

look in the Vista audio circle on audiocircle forum for info about $300.

^^^

Interesting and educational read on his design process.

High End Phono Preamplifier

Speaking of phono preamps.

Are they available? Gotta check out the website.