Analogue front end upgrade priorities?

RichTeer -- Sun, 03/01/2009 - 18:56

Hi all,

My current system consists of a Forsell Air Reference Turntable/arm, Lyra Parnassus cartridge, an ARC SP-9 Mk 2 preamp, a pair of PrimaLuna Prologue 7 monoblocks, and my most recent acqusition, a pair of MartinLogan Spires. My turntable and cartridge are about 15 years old (although for about 5 of those years they didn't get much use), and my SP-9 was bought used a couple of years ago (I have since had it serviced and retubed by ARC).

To take my system to the next level, I'd like to replace the cartridge with something like the Air Tight PC-1 Supreme, and the SP-9 with the Phono 7 and a Reference 3. The Parnassus sounds fine, but I can't help but wonder how much longer the suspension will last. If/when I buy the Reference 3 or Phono 7 my SP-9 will be performing the duties of the other box. That is, if I get the Phono 7 first I'll use the SP-9 as a line stage, and if I get the Reference 3 first I'll use the SP-9 as a phonostage.

In round numbers each of those components will cost about $10k, and I can't afford to buy more than say one per year. My question is: in which order should I perform these upgrades?

famny -- Sat, 04/04/2009 - 17:36

Why not a Manley Steelhead? It is a very well regarded phono stage but also has line level input for CD and can drive the amp directly? I have been thinking about this for myself. Plus they just came out with remote control - all for $7500.

Ded Frag -- Fri, 12/10/2010 - 07:06

I'll second the recommendation for the Manley 'Steelhead'. I compared it with the top Boulder phono preamp which had a deeper and more tuneful lower bass but lacked what I can only term the Steelhead's 'goose bump factor'.
Manley are also a great company to deal with providing excellent back up service and if you're really lucky when communicating you may even get to speak with the gorgeous Eva Anna Manley herself, a very smart lady.

Kool Kat Jazz R... -- Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:35

I would do a Aesthetix Rhea phono section ($4,500) and a Benz LP S cartridge ($5,000) I will clearly in my taste outperfom anything in that price range, plus the Rhea can be upgraded later on to a Signature version if you really get the bug :-)

Peder Beckman
Kool Kat Jazz Records
www.koolkatjazz.com

Ohjoy -- Sat, 09/11/2010 - 23:11

I like kool kats suggestion here is a good one. If you can spring for the Aesthetix io which for me is the best sound phonostage Ive heard to date. I dont think anything comes close, truly a state of the art phonostage. The Forsell being my favorite turntable, i've have had good results with just about any cartridge on that table. Sorry never was a fan of the Sp9, so many better sound preamps in my opinion. The other preamp you might want to consider is that CAT ultimate with their phonostage which is a pretty darn good sounding phonostage. As far as cartridges there are so many good sounding cartridges, just depends on the direction you want to take the system both in its presentation and musically. But ya I like the sound of the Benz cartridges as well as the Cardas Myrtle Heart. Kevin

Kevin LaTour
35 years hi-end audio video enthusiast

Jim Hannon -- Wed, 04/08/2009 - 19:27

Sorry for my slow response, Rich. Having heard the ARC Phono 7 and Reference 3 combo, I can see why you're taken with them. They are wonderful, However, I lived with the SP-9 MkII for a few months, and that unit is just not up to the rest of your current and "dream" system. I'd look to get it out of there completely. Both famny and Peder offer excellent suggestions. Your turntable is great and your cartridge is, too, as long as it holds up. 15 years is quite a long time---the suspensions do dry out (You might check with Lyra first and see if they have a refurbishing and/or exchange program). Good luck!

brian -- Wed, 04/08/2009 - 22:33

I second Jim's suggestion of checking with Lyra on an exchange program. Shelter, which I sell, has such a program, for example.

I wouldn't put all your eggs in one basket regarding making a choice of phono stage or line stage. There are some excellent tube preamps which include phono sections and would outperform the SP-9. Atma-Sphere is one, which by no coincidence I sell. I'll put the MP-1 Mk III up against the aforementioned ARC combo any day of the week, and even the MP-3 with the regulator option is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you roll a couple of NOS 6SN7s.

Brian Walsh
Essential Audio ~ Chicago area ~ 773-809-HIFI (4434)

Jim Hannon -- Thu, 04/09/2009 - 12:42

Brian brings up an excellent point. There are a few "all-in-one" preamps that you should consider, too. That would kill two birds with one stone, and I think there are some strong arguments to go this way (e.g. that extra set of interconnects that comes into play between the phono and line stages doesn't help the sound at all). A phonostage like the Steelhead, among others, would solve this problem by enabling you to avoid the line stage altogether, and I do like this hot-rod approach as long as the phono stage has plenty of gain. Sadly, "all-in-one" preamps are becoming harder to find, but there are classics you might consider, too.

On several occasions at CES, I have heard the Atma-Sphere preamp mated with Atma-Sphere power amp(s), and the sound was just glorious. I'm not sure what you'd lose going from the balanced Atma-Sphere preamp to the unbalanced PrimaLuna amps, but maybe Brian can comment on this.

brian -- Thu, 04/09/2009 - 19:23

Atma-Sphere components are fully balanced but feature single ended inputs as well. Using single ended amplifier inputs should be no problem, although the potential advantage of using balanced connections to minimize noise would not be realized, especially with long interconnect runs. That said, I'm sure there are plenty of Atma-Sphere preamp owners happily using them with amplifiers with single ended inputs. It's worth mentioning that as an option Atma-Sphere can provide single ended outputs in addition to or in lieu of balanced ones.

Jiao (not verified) -- Sat, 08/15/2009 - 01:55

I think that with your price range is very difficult to pick an option. You may select more money?

Cascais -- Wed, 09/02/2009 - 12:38

I agree with the comments that the SP9, good as it is (or was in its day), is the weak spot in your system, although it has a decent phono stage. I used an SP9 for years and finally replaced it with a Bryston BP26 with the MC phono option. It is much superior to the SP9, very quiet and has plenty of gain for my low-output MC cartridge (Lyra Skala). You might also investigate the Bryston BP6, which is a stripped down version of the BP26 and very good indeed if you believe the reviews. I would definitely stay away from separate line and phono stages.