Took delivery of my 2 month old Solo on Saturday morning so not fully warmed up yet but it seems to be getting better each listen. Trouble is I now desperately need to swap the Cambridge Audio phono stage for a Reflex.

Very impressed so far and I’m hearing things my previous headphone amp hid away (Schiit Vali 2). 

Simon

My rational behind the phono amp is currently buy the reflex with the standard psu then I've room for improvement, my other option would be the Era with Psu1 but then I'll spend my time regretting not getting the Reflex.

I can't justify the Accession...or can I?

I agree with Mick, my Accession MC is delightful.

Like my old man used to say "always buy the best you can afford", he said other things but they were a bit rubbish and some also offensive.

Another question, is it worth spending 1k on a MM phono stage (I'm only using an Ortofon 2m blue) or biting the MC bullet?

Before jumping into MC, I would try to hear some MC carts in your price range. Maybe you will like them and maybe you won't. 

You'll get all kinds of different opinions, but when I heard some MCs up to $1K I was disappointed. They offered a lot of detail but also had a rising top end I didn't like and had trouble tracking very challenging inner grooves on some difficult records. Not for me. 

I did hear some MC carts in the $3K to $10K range that impressed me more but those weren't without issue (more surface noise to go along with the detail) and they are out of my practical price range. I'm simply not going to spend that much money on a cartridge. 

I should stress though, I have never heard an MC cart with one of Graham's MC phono preamps. I suspect I might prefer it over other MC combos I've heard, and there are also some newer MC carts on the market that look interesting (e.g. the OC9XML from AT). 

However, I think in general I prefer to stick with MM/MI carts. Maybe one day I'll get around to trying MC with one of the GS MC phono stages, but too many other things are a priority at the moment. 

Another thing to keep in mind is your turntable and the environment around it. There are folks that have had issues with LOMC carts and carbon fiber tonearms, and sources of nearby interference like mobile phone networks and so on. Graham has written about this before. 

I wish I had an easy answer for you but I don't. 

My 2 cents. 

That's what I did after using the loaner facility which 'sold me' on the Accession M / Enigma combo.

Good luck with your deliberations!

Current thinking is stay with the MM, buy the Reflex M and then I've lots of room for bite size improvements albeit roughly £200 a bite ie PSU1 x 2, ULDE upgrade, cart etc. 

Of course and then it all starts again.

If Coventry score against Reading in the second half I'll order one tonight, if they don't I'll still order one but maybe tomorrow.

I agree with you on this one, Plus with his turntable as you said, Can it be justified, would he be getting the best out of a MC cart costing best part of a grand IMO NO. On my turntable I have the 2M Bronze and that is as far as I would go cost wise. After that a turntable replacement would be my best option 

Thanks again.

You wont regret It. And you still funds for future up grades. IMO you are going the best way about it.

Fine choice, the Reflex M is very good and will do your MM cartridge and turntable justice.

So the Reflex M (and psu1) arrived today and I’ve plumbed it in. With no run in it’s still singing, the next few days are going to be fun. Ordered direct and received fantastic service from John, thanks.

Les

It’s south of Bath, southern enough I can afford to live. Norton Radstock area.

Simon