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PHONO Stages.... Oh No.... help

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Aussie Mick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aussie Mick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 3:24pm
Hmm...all or nothing...black and white...the world just doesn’t work that way...unless you have vastly deep pockets...and even then...
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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JohnnySH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnnySH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 3:37pm

As I previously stated Audio is Subjective what one person find acceptable others may not ??

There are so many variables, everyone's ears are different, turntable, carts etc, etc,

It's all about being happy with what one purchases, they are not cheap items ... well not the one's i'm tending to look at....

very simply I want to make a one off purchase of a phono stage and be happy, and within reason whatever it costs, I will have to pay,

But i'm not just looking for sonic quality, I want build quality too, that's why I am sampling various phono stages.

As always any feedback always appreciated.

 



Never give up looking for perfection, I don't!
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ServerBaboon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ServerBaboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 4:24pm
Originally posted by JohnnySH JohnnySH wrote:


Found the Accession lacking bottom end and thin sounding, but i'm putting it down to my system not being matched ???


Not something I would ever accuse my Accession of being, that sounds more like the long run in/warm up for gsp stages before reaching optimum, give it a bit longer powered on and play records before listening again.


Steve

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Various bits of GSP Kit ..well two so far, unless you count the cables that is.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richardl60 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 4:47pm
it sounds like you have made your mind up that build, aesthetics and sound are not for you Johnny.  I wouldn’t pretend the Accession is the prettiest or based on the assessment of external build quality (case, sockets) is as apparently high quality as some from the outside.

As to sound quality I am a little surprised by your sonic findings but everyone’s listening experiences are as valid as the next.  Having invested a significant sum in upgrading the mains power lead (as documented elsewhere) this did amongst other things improve the power, definition, extension, impact of the bass but then again it would likely have the same impact on most stages.

I cannot say the Accession is the best phono stage on the planet- I haven’t tried them all but in my real world experiences it is very good and meets my own needs very well in all areas or sound, facilities, flexibility, physical size and long term reliability and support in the unlikely event of a problem.

Let’s hope you find the solution to meeting all of your needs at a a half reasonable price.



Edited by Richardl60 - 28 Apr 2019 at 4:47pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnnySH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 5:38pm
It may be my turntable I was using the accession on, a Technics sl1210MK5G or the various carts ???

I don't really own a high end MM cart yet, but plan to try the VM740 and MP500

I can only tell it as I experience and even the Gold Note did not tick all the boxes,

but I will keep on looking, I will get there... I did with my Digital PC Sound System  (RME) but again that was lots of reading, reviewing and comparing until happy.





Edited by JohnnySH - 28 Apr 2019 at 5:47pm
Never give up looking for perfection, I don't!
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patientot View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote patientot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 6:47pm
Whenever someone says "this is too bright", "this is too thin", "this has too much bass", "this is lacking bass", etc. the first thing I do is ask:

1) Do you own a good broadcast grade test record with a frequency sweep? 

2) Did you attempt a frequency response test from the phono stage output? 

Often, IME, it's a cartridge loading issue or downstream equipment, room acoustics and/or the particular records that are making things sound a certain way.

Lots of albums are "bright" because they were recorded and mastered that way. Lots of albums sound "dull" because they were recorded and mastered that way. 




Edited by patientot - 28 Apr 2019 at 6:58pm
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Richardl60 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richardl60 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 7:13pm
I am sure Johnny will have tried a variety of material to reach his conclusions and have other sources as a reference?  I don’t know what balance the AT has but presumably this is better suited to his ears on his other hardware?

A frequency sweep may identify resonances or suck outs from system or room but expect a range of music should adequately provide the evidence for his ears?

I have found a balance issue tends to reflect inadequate or ill-matched components and if this is resolved/understood I have tended to focus more on naturalness, sound stage, dynamics etc which the Accession has proved excellent with.  To my surprise I have very rarely used the different curve settings on either my Revelation or Accession just too busy enjoying the music....

As a footnote and from memory the Era Gold V was “fuller” but less well defined/detailed with me if Johnny wanted to try one on the loan scheme?



Edited by Richardl60 - 28 Apr 2019 at 7:20pm
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