re: Audiophile/Vinyl Thread - Post Pics, Advice, Questions, Setups, etc.

Yes, but you will enjoy it!

If you are using the Lehman Black Cube, go for the Low output at .5 mv. This is a Moving Coil cartridge, and the Lehman will give you 7 different loading options to play around with (minute differences in sound presentation--it is more of which one you prefer as opposed to a right or wrong setting).

The Hana carts are selling very well as they are well made, get great reviews, and possess a sound that is usually found on carts in the $1k to $2k range.

A low output will give a little more detail (has to do with the gauge of the coil windings and number of times it is wound around the magnet structure) at the expense of output signal. The High output is the opposite. Since you will be using a very capeable phono pre amp with plenty of gain, you will be better served with the more detailed low output cart.

I own a Lehmann, and before I moved over to an all tube McIntosh phono stage, I ran a low output (.45 mv) Lyra Titan i cartridge through it with stellar results.

That cartridge will take your vinyl listening to another level.

Man.... that's a lick!

You going to replace with the same stuff? Also, isn't that last one of those you just had redone?

Agents of Oblivion "Self-Titled", 2017 reissue.
Can't tell you how much I love this goddam album! First time hearing it on vinyl, nice improvement...

I got bit by the bug hard. I'm now obsessing over a real preamp other than a Marantz AVR to run into my amp when it gets here next week.
Are the Odyssey preamps as good a value as the power amp?
Would you consider an audiogon user slightly modified Odyssey Tube pre (candela)?
Should I break the new amp in first and see if my deaf/dumb ears are even going to want to try to upgrade the pre before thinking about this any further?


These are the things that keep me up at night.

Was it helpful (reading the entire thread)?

Doc,

The pre amp, IMO, is probably the most important and revealing piece of gear in the chain (outside speakers). Every time I moved up the preamp chain, the difference was immediately noticeable. The soundstage was open and big, instruments became more "in place", and the background got ever quieter.

What do you want in a pre? A line stage only? One with a phono stage too? A DAC? Solid state or tube?

I would probably not get a modded piece of AGon as you don't know who did the mods and how they were done. Audio Research and McIntosh preamps that are 4-5 years old can be had for $2-3k (ARC LS25, LS25 Mk II, LS26) (McIntosh c45, c220, c2200, and c2300). All of the ones mentioned are tube except the c45. They are all great preamps and have numerous inputs and outputs and balanced connections.

Don't second guess it--you built a great rig. The Hana cart alone will make a big jump in performance. The Vandersteen loudspeakers are the real deal as well.

QUAD, Vandersteen, and Rega have all been around for 40+ years...for a reason!

Research the QUAD ESL loudspeakers from the 1950's--they are one of the most restored speakers out there today. Cult following they have.

If you get the bug and start moving up the ladder in the coming years, you should begin to hear just what a reference level preamp or a large floorstanding loudspeaker can do. Most reference rigs aren't bought in a day--it is years of changing out pieces and listening for their sound and matching pieces that mate well. I've been at it since I was 7 years old.