Comments on Profile Post by Zimmer266

Shall I compare it to a summer's day?

But seriously, I belong to a generation of whom you might as well ask "how do you like your amplifier," for not only was it inevitably included, but was the first input, and the first choice on the source switch. Because that's how we mostly listened to music...

...But those days have passed, and I have grown old and digital, the turntable consigned to a cupboard.

So my real answer is, "as part of a well-loved integrated amplifier." If you like the amp, you like its phono stage. Inseparable....

Better be talking seriously fancy decks before moving on to separate phono stages. Except, suddenly, the built-in phono stage became part of my nostalgic memory of what seemed like a better world.

I use the one built into my Cambridge AXR100, and I'd say it's "serviceable", but not in a negative connotation. I've never seen a spec on it, but I'd throw a wild guess it's probably a recycled Cambridge Solo implementation.

It doesn't hiss and doesn't compress the crap out of the music, so for now it fulfills the need. If I really dialed up my turntable gear at some point, I'd probably take the next step up.

I agree that the phonostage can make the amp or preamp worthwhile. I liked my Nakamichi CA5, probably for that very reason. Plus it had two pre-outs, as well as a tape out

I adore my Tavish vintage phono stage, went through a lot of different units and experimenting before I got there though. After a year of having no strong desire to swap it out for anything else, I decided it is worthwhile to upgrade to the TOTL unit for Tavish, the adagio, for balanced outs and SUT for MC.

@Inoculator please give some long term thoughts on the Adagio when you are ready. That is tip top
of any perceived budget I have but it has all the options I desire.

I'm a great fan of balanced connection *in theory* because phono was a historical accident, and balanced was an engineered solution. So, if balanced is a choice, I'd use it, just for the satisfaction. Reality is, though, that if there is enough noise in your environment to affect a short interconnect, it is probably better to move house than change equipment! ...

...And the *vulnerable* signal is the very low output from cartridge to pre-amp, which is still going to be phono.

right?

@shotgunshane absolutely. Currently there is a 16 week wait (sounds like sourcing SUTs is a pain right now) , but once I get it I will be sure to let folks know what I think. @Thad E Ginathom balanced is more a bonus than a killer feature. Overall I am mostly making move for quieter power supply and SUT