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I have a Michell Gyro SE with OL silver arm and now I got a Shelter 501 mkII for my birthday. My current phono stage in Mcintosh integrated is MM only.
What would you suggest I get in order to see the full potential of my vinyl rig with the new Shelter cart?
Thanx.
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The Phenomena II at $600.00 is a best buy and highly reviewed. I use the Phenomena Nova which is the same unit with battery power. With 256 ways to load-all easily set- and up to 60 db gain its will handle whatever you have now and in the future. My Dynavector 17D3 is set at 475 ohm and 60 db gain and I couldn't be happier.
If you like the sound of your McIntosh gear, then I "third" the recommendation of a step-up. I have the less expensive Lundahl transformers sold in a kit by Asylum sponsor K&K audio. I think he sells this now for like US$300. He also now offers a fancier Lundahl transformer for more money, which I probably will try. The only extra cost is a second pair of interconnects. The cheaper Lundahl was given a resonably positive review by Art Dudley of Stereophile ("doesn't do anything wrong") although he identified some (much) more expensive units (especially from EAR) that he thought sounded better.
I live in a very high RF environment and, my setup with the Lundahl is actually quieter than was my previous set up with a Clearaudio MM cartridge going directly into my phonostage.
Regarding the suggestion of BAT phonostages, be advised that the less expensive VK-P5 -- which I own -- did not work too well being directly fed by my low output Dynavector MC (the VK-P5 is all-tube). However, the more expensive BAT model, the VK-P10 in its various iterations has built-in step up trannies (Lundahls, I believe), which you can switch in or out of circuit as you like. So, that will work with anything. It is interesting that BAT designer Victor Khoumenko took the step up route for running low-output MC cartridges through his tubed phonostage, rather than using an FET front end, as some of the other tubed phonostages do.
But you are talking pretty serious money for one of these, even used.
Try a modest-priced step-up first, like the Lundahl from K&K audio, or the Cinemag from Bob's devices, which has gotten a very enthusiastic review. And if you don't like it, you can always sell it on audiogon for close to what you paid for it. You're probably risking at most $100.
High performance active low-output-MC phono preamps can easily run you 8K+ such as Aesthetix, You did not mention budget, so I presume that you are looking for something a bit less costly which is why I would suggest a moving coil step-up transformer used with your McIntosh pre. The Stevens & Billington TX-103 is highly regarded as is the AudioNote. Also Lundahl makes an amorphous core version less expensive than the AudioNote or Hashimoto models from Japan, not so sure on the current import price. Tamura seems to have dropped the MC step-up from their list but is still available on the used market.
You did not state if you were only looking for new or classic equipment, if new definitely take a look at the “Balanced Audio Technology” phono stages. If you are considering classic equipment, the MFA Luminescence, Audio Research SP series, Counterpoint SA9/11, the early Convergent Audio Technology - CAT pre, or solid state Klyne; some of those models would probably run 15K if they were still manufactured today so very good choices on the used market. If 10K+ doesn’t perturb you then you might look at MBL, “Audio Research Reference Phono” or the Jadis (the MC still made? it had 80db gain), (Audion Quattro no longer available). You just don’t see many dedicated low-output moving coil phono stages in today’s wares, they seem geared more to the medium to high output range, not that the Shelter is that low something like 0.35mv? Very low out MC s need low noise gain stages such as a JFET design (Blowtorch) or a step-up transformer with a MM phono gain stage such as B.A.T.
Now as for other “Best MC Phono” preamps a list in no particular order, the Wavestream Kinetics Archival Phono Stage, designed by Scott Frankland formerly of M.F.A., Burmester, FM Acoustics, Accuphase, Solution 720 and Lyra Connoisseur 4 (price up threefold from the original Mares Connoisseur), all could be included in the 20K and up assault on the state of the art in phono preamps, (the Blowtorch is no longer made).
Some of the older FM Acoustics and Accuphases do show up on the used market at reasonable prices, you might want to consider those as a good buy considering the build quality.
Hi cfb,
I know this is an old post - but have you used a Wavestream Kinetics Archival Phono Stage? as there is not much information on the web.
cheers
I concur with the above statements. Instead of a phono section which will probably be a jfet based circuit,go with at SUT transformer. The Stevens and Billington is very highly rated especially the silver version.You might also check out the "devices by Bob" transformers. Bob is a good guy and will tailor the step up for your specific needs,IE. preamp/cartridge combo.
I would also consider either building or buying a very short tonearm cable and put the transformer as close to the TT as possible for the lowest noise.This can make a big difference.
By using a step up transformer you will be using a passive device to feed the tiny signal to your tube mm phono stage in your preamp. You bought tubes, don't mess it up with jfets.
IMHO
e
it's about the music
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