"Rob" wrote in message
...
Don Pearce wrote:
On Wed, 11 Oct 2006 15:37:36 GMT, "Easynews" wrote:

Hi all,
I am upgrading my vinyl capabilities shortly and have about £1000 to
spend. I have a Rega P2 turntable, Quad 12L speakers, and a fairly old
Denon integrated amp / tuner with a reasonable phono stage. I was
intending to buy the EAR 834P phono stage, upgrade my fairly basic
cartridge, and buy an integrated amp- is this a good idea? Should I take
a different course, or if replacing the amp is the way, have you any
suggestions for ones I should try out?
Thanks for any advice, I'm a newbie when it comes to hi-fi.
Paul


I'd go with Keith G's suggestion of a valve phono pre. It really could be
the one thing you keep. As suggested elsewhere I rate the EAR, but it's
too expensive for what it is.



I reckon if there are going to be valves anywhere in the loop, the phono
stage is the most important place - the sound is opened up and the
*space/bigness* is created at this stage. SS phonos can deliver the
frequencies, but I find the sound usually lacks edge (where it is needed)
and is altogether more 'shut in' - muzzy or blurry would be fair
description, by comparison...

(The tone and placement/distance of the triangle in my version of VW's Larka
Sending is the quick test for me...)

FWIW, I think the WAD 2-piece combo beats the EAR handsomely (I have to, I
built one), but I don't hate the EAR - compared to what these things can
cost, they are still pretty cheap. They are relatively big and blowsy (GF
150) - first thing to do is dump the cheap 'T de P' valves (badged EI
Yugoslavian, I believe) and get summat with a bit of a 'freshness' to
them....??




I would go for a decent quality subwoofer to give you that extra
bottom octave. OK, it will be more useful with your non-vinyl sources,
but it will still help out the vinyl to a degree. The rest of the kit
is well up to standard for playing those LPs.

d


I bought a sub recently - a Rel Strata 5 - and I can't make up my mind
whether I like it. Two issues:

1. The sub has a different effect on different music and volumes. That
might sound obvious, but it means constant twiddling to get the balance
right.


This is my fear with a sub for music. Although, there's no doubt it would
suit some types of music and I am still considering one for 'organ music',
if nothing else...



2. At my preferred setting, when it can hardly be noticed but just adds a
bit of weight*, it seems to introduce a sort of airiness to the sound -
the music at all frequencies (vocals, cymbals) seems less distinct and
less focused. I really can't figure out why this happens and I'm not sure
if it's a good or bad thing. For now it's just different.


Tried shifting the phase 180 deg (presuming it has the function
available)...??



I think overall I'll keep it - it's a nice unobtrusive bit of furniture,
and certainly brings films to life :-)


:-)

The one to test a sub is Master and Commander - the 'cannon' sounds are
actually modern field artillery, I believe!! (105 mm Light Gun??) Wrong for
the relatively soft (slow) burn of blackpowder, but a decent *crack* as far
as the soundtrack goes!! :-)