Hi to all,

I am a new member (from Greece). My current setup is: Rega Brio, Rega Planar 3/Elys 2, Neo TT psu and Schiit Mani. Last year i changed my turntable to Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 and I am looking for a new phono stage to complete my setup (and hopefully forget it for some years). I am quite happy with Schiit Mani (it was a gift from a friend) but I feel that improvements, at reasonable cost, are possible. Any advice / recommendation would be helpful. I've reached this site/forum through the positive reviews I've read.

On top of that, I have a more general question. Should I go for a MM only phono stage and get the best value for my budget or go for a MM/MC to be prepared for any future upgrade plans?

Thank you   

I'm a long time user of Graham Slee products - my first Graham Slee phono preamp was the Gram Amp 2SE, assembled on Graham's kitchen table by the man himself.

I no longer have it, but it lives with a friend who also loves what it does.

What is your budget?

Not sure what the Euro to the pounds is?

So the ERA Gold V may be in budget but the Gram amp 2 SE is well in your budget, both are vary good.

As you said you will be keeping this set up for some years, So I would say stick with MM only for the best sound at your budget. You have years to save up if you go MC.

Hope this helps you out

Jonathan

Send him a PM and arrange a loan.

Hear the kit in your own system.

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for the advice. I feel that I should go for the MM only route, though there is a number of MM/MC products (at the upper end of my budget) with positive reviews (e.g. black cube, moon 110lp v2)

Unfortunately 1 pound is more than 1.15 Euro.

Yes, I will keep this setup for some years (or I'll get divorced ) but I'd like to try some other cartridges in the future (MM or HOMC) without changing the phono stage.

Yannis

The cost of going MC can be eye watering though. One reason I have only dipped a toe in the water at the moment, as with a young child in the house it can be a very expensive hobby. She has been told not to touch my turntable, but she may get inquisitive one day.

With an MM, it is going to be less expensive to fix, and you probably have 80 to 90% of what MC gives an Audiophile. The question is, are you an Audiophile, or music lover? There are some very good MM cartridges available, both new, and second hand recent models, as well as some really good vintage offerings.

I have a similar setup to you Rega Planar 3 (although a little modded now), NEO PSU and a Brio amp. 

I have a Gram Amp2 SE with a PSU1 and have been delighted with it. I am running a AT VM750SH which is way better than the Elys and the Exact I had before. I changed the cartridge first and then the phono next.

I wish I had demo'd the Reflex M before buying the GA but I am not disappointed with the sound quality I now have. 

Glenn

Thank you all for your comments.

I know about the loan program but I think that it is rather late given the changes after January 1st 2021.

Kevin, I would describe myself as a music lover. It is an expensive hobby, there are always budget restrictions (especially now with the covid) and this budget should also cover buying records. I agree that there are very good MM cartridges out there and I would be more than fine with them.

The European loaner program distributes the products within Europe, and has no connection with the UK, except for enthusiasm which knows no borders.

Indeed it does. I am based in France, so happy to help now, or after the 1st January. Nothing changes for the European scheme.

RE: MM vs. MC, my opinion is that unless you are prepared to spend quite a bit on an MC cartridge and then again when it needs to be retipped, forget MC. Get a good MM cart instead. 

My 2 cents...

Many will disagree of course but I've never heard any "budget" sub-$1K MC that impressed me much. The best MCs I've heard cost thousands of dollars, well beyond what is practical for me. 

The combo of a good MM and a G.S. preamp work very well for me. 

For now, I don't bother with MC and enjoy my records and MM/MI carts. 

However, the fundamental musical correctness of the Slee electronics I think is at the heart of getting the most from either technology

Mick.

Fair enough. Always better to enjoy what you have!

Yannis

I would say stick to your budget and get the Gram amp2 se it is vary good (and see how you get on with it) If you are happy with it then add the PSU1. Or what about this, buy the GA2 se and buy more new music it is what HiFi is for, listening to "music".

Do let us all know what you end up with.

HAPPY LISTENING