Cheap Carts and Stages- help please!

I have owned the following Goldring 1042/ Audio Note IQ2/Sumiko BPS (I broke the cantilever, a common problem) Dynavector DV20H and currently a DV20L into a Dino/Dino +.

I have found that the Dynavector Dv20XL is by far the best cartridge of the group and in combination wih the Dino is, to my ears, a good set up.

I would be tempted to listen to the Dyanavector and maybe a slightly lower cost phono stage if the Dino is a bit over budget..

A Dino is 299.00 and a Dynavector can be had for 359.00.
The Dino + power supply made a lot of difference to my ears cleaning things up and making the sound "bigger" and more dynamic. I have blind tested it wih the old supply and it's definitely a clear improvement. Value is a bit off though as it's 200 quid for a fairly basic torrid and a few bits!!! I wouldn't say it's poo, the opposite in fact but I would say that wouldn't I?

Obviously I had not been able to demo any of the carts. I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best and luckily I think it sounds very good.
 
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Hiya Merlin,

Good to see your coming back to the fold :)

Im running a DV 10x4 wich i like very much, seems to have very good surface noise rejection. Now superceded by the 10x5 i believe.

If you fancy some DIY i can highly recomend the Hagtech Cornet valve phono stage.
http://www.hagtech.com/cornet.html

Easy to build and very pleasing result (to my ears). I would estimate it cost me £300 all in, but that is after buying the standard parts and then upgrading caps at a later date. It sounds very good in standard trim, lovely detail and body to the sound. Cant comment on the new caps as they are still running in and sound pants:rolleyes:
Big advantage for me is the ability to change components and configure as i like without warranty problems :)
pics HERE
 
Originally posted by fox
Hi there merlin, I'd not buy a Naim flatcap unless you like to spend money on...

flatcap.jpg


...quite a bit of air for your money...
Click to expand...

Its horrifying to think thats all you get for however much that thing costs (over £500 I'd guess).
 
to be fair to Naim, it used to come in a 1/2 case size I do believe, but they swapped it so that it would be a better aesthetic match for other components.

I'll leave the question of value to those Naim fans who have auditioned them and bought/rejected them on their difference to the sound.

I would agree that it doesnt look like a lot of...... (stuff?) for the money.


NB Merlin - theres a real synergy thing going on between cartridges and phono stages. I think just maybe in sound terms, you might be better off taking your turntable to a shop and insisting on hearing the best combinations they can muster.....

....or £350 on LPs!! :D
 
I am not biased because I have one, merely I have listened to quite a few and have yet to find one to beat it.

The dino really is superb, I found it better than a basic iso or an isoHR, though they had undeniably attractive and clean treble, I found them to err on the lean and clinical side. The dino added that nice bass weight I really like, and it wasted built in fono stages.

I can't fathom why bub thinks its naff.

I found naims phono to be a touch bright, but didn't find that with their power amps.,

Intersting to know how naim phono stage compares to the ATC one, bub? have you compared?

I think its a work of genius for the price, and all those adjustments shows real knowledge of vinyl buffs needs. Interesting, as the designer says he doens't listen to vinyl, too.

as to the carts I have the denon is the best, there is little difference between the 1042, the BPS, and the ortofon, the 1042 is really powerful, the bps, slightly laid back and warmer, and the ortofon is really neutral and rhythmic.
 
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Hi,

I thought the dino+ sounded 'smoothed-off' and not very dynamic, YMMV.

I haven't tried an ATC pre. I'd like to, but time is short and I love my present gear, so not much incentive.
 
Hi Merlin.

I saw this discounted Lehamnn SE (posher version) at max website. Also at Audio Consultants :mad:

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE /PWX Phono stage with MM/MC £650 £399

Lehman Black Cube SE with external power supply £495 £350

Seems to be a bit of a disagreement about the original selling price!!


I have a copy of the hifi + and also hifi world that recently both did round ups of phono stages if that would help.


Chris
 
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Originally posted by Lt Cdr Data
The dino really is superb, I found it better than a basic iso or an isoHR, though they had undeniably attractive and clean treble, I found them to err on the lean and clinical side. The dino added that nice bass weight I really like, and it wasted built in fono stages.
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Interesting... Did you get chance to compare the Dino against the Delphini? Just wondering how the Delphini ranks in the "value for money" scale.

I didn't realise, as Bottleneck said, that the Dino could be monoblocked? :confused: If so, that brings up the question of which is better? Mono Dino or Stereo Delphini, as both would be about the same price?
 
I would like to point James at that Time (Around Xmas last year) the Dino + and Psu wasn't the current version the new dino psu (From april/may 2003 on) has the never/connected curcirty inside.
Mono blocked dino's :confused: not sure about that one guys Wm
 
Hi

There was a monoblock version of the Delphini. It cost around £2000. I don't think it's made anymore as the current stuff has the never connected power supplies in one box. HiFI World review the monoblock version, I think over a year ago.


SCIDB
 
Dino's can have a choice of 2 power supply upgrade options.
Click to expand...

There's only one option AFAICT, an external PSU, recently changed to use the never connected stuff. I don't think the older PSU is available any more. WM, could you clarify?

-- Ian
 
Many thanks for all the advice guys, I reckon after speaking with others that the way to go is the Dynavector 20x with a s/h EAR. The total cost will be just over budget but seems a good shout and will last a fair while.

Will let you know how thinks progress.
 
Just a short note FYI.

Trichord have informed me that there is only one version of the Dino + power supply and that they have not made a never connected version. That power supply is only available for the Delphini stage not the Dino.

The only place I can think of where it may be possible to demo a number of stages would be Walrus in London, for anyone who cares.
 
Thanks for clearing up the confusion about the various options for Dino and Delphini guys - now that makes a lot more sense... :)

Interesting that the mono Delphin is priced on Trichord's site, but one would assume it's exactly 2x the price of the equivalent Stereo Delphini.

Delphini has 3 power supply options (wall wart, standard and never-connected):

http://cgi.trichord.force9.co.uk/acatalog/Delphini_Mk2.html
 


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