Looking for a laid-back MC phono stage

[jigsaw]

Thanks @Rockchild and do you think it would fit my expectations : laid-back sounding, smooth treble, no brightness but without being blurry ?

 

[Rockchild]

Thanks @Rockchild and do you think it would fit my expectations : laid-back sounding, smooth treble, no brightness but without being blurry ?

I’ll answer shortly, just dealing with our hyper puppy 🐶 lol

 

[jigsaw]

I’ll answer shortly, just dealing with our hyper puppy 🐶 lol

Sorry but don't understand what you mean by that (I'm french !)
I guess U mean that you will answer soon ?

 

[Rockchild]

Sorry but don't understand what you mean by that (I'm french !)
I guess U mean that you will answer soon ?

The Dog was on a mission to be entertained 😊

The Sugden is renown for detailed but a relaxed and non fatiguing experience. Don’t get me wrong, it has a massive soundstage and stereo imaging is spot on. It’s also a silent stage, little or no unwanted noise regardless of cartridge used.
I used mine with Benz, Audio Technica, Goldring, Grado and VDH cartridges. There was not one that didn’t have synergy with the Sugden. The Sugdens output stage is extremely well thought out and probably the key to the sound I had.

 

[martinpix]

I would probably blame the tonearm as much as anything , remove it sell it on eBay and buy a used Ekos mk2 with the funds, you for sure wont regret it the cheaper Lin. tonearms are kids play things , but if new enough still fetch a decent price. I am waiting for the firing squad as I type this I know people love Linn stuff but the Akito and Krane tonearms are not upto what an Ekos can do or even a decent rega tonearm for that matter. A dedicated phono stage is always a good idea though.

 

[jigsaw]

Thank you so much @Rockchild I am adding it to my short list then !

 

[jigsaw]

Also forgot to mention one important thing. Last sunday, I have done too many testing and it leads to confusion and listening fatigue.
After a good rest, I've finally listened to the Quasar set to 100 Ohm, and you were right saying it should be smoother than 470 Ohm config, it is ! It is also much more relax sounding.
So forgot about my first "complaint", sorry for that. The only thing where I am not fully satisfied is regarding the low end, which I find a bit blurry (not enough tight). But for that price I cannot complain this is a very good phono stage !

 

[jigsaw]

I also plan to test a dedicated Exposure 3010 MC phonostage. I should have it next friday.

 

[Rockchild]

I would probably blame the tonearm as much as anything , remove it sell it on eBay and buy a used Ekos mk2 with the funds, you for sure wont regret it the cheaper Lin. tonearms are kids play things , but if new enough still fetch a decent price. I am waiting for the firing squad as I type this I know people love Linn stuff but the Akito and Krane tonearms are not upto what an Ekos can do or even a decent rega tonearm for that matter. A dedicated phono stage is always a good idea though.

I doubt very much that the Arm is the initial problem here.

 

[jigsaw]

I doubt very much that the Arm is the initial problem here.

It's not. This is the latest release of the Akito. And like I said, no more problem

 

[Rockchild]

Also forgot to mention one important thing. Last sunday, I have done too many testing and it leads to confusion and listening fatigue.
After a good rest, I've finally listened to the Quasar set to 100 Ohm, and you were right saying it should be smoother than 470 Ohm config, it is ! It is also much more relax sounding.
So forgot about my first "complaint", sorry for that. The only thing where I am not fully satisfied is regarding the low end, which I find a bit blurry (not enough tight). But for that price I cannot complain this is a very good phono stage !

This is correct as @myles also pointed out 👍🏻
Also, your amp and speakers are not part of the problem either. Nowt better than Class A for beautiful music

 

[martinpix]

I doubt very much that the Arm is the initial problem here.

Maybe not but it wont help the Ekos will have more of everything tighter bass and better control the Akito and Krane are bright and cheap sounding I have owned all 3. So still a worthwhile upgrade which will probably cost nothing to change other than time and effort.

 

[HouseElf]

Hold your horses 😊

I know that phonostage very well and it’s far from bright or lethargic.

I am currently on my fifth trial phono leads from my turntable to phonostage and despite claims that there are specific phono leads (shielded), a decent well made copper derived cable is far better for this situation. My guess is your Linn is using the Linn Silver?

Howdy.

Did you settle on a phono lead that you liked?

 

[Rockchild]

Howdy.

Did you settle on a phono lead that you liked?

Hi Mate, anything but Silver so still looking.

 

[myles]

Hi Mate, anything but Silver so still looking.

Yannis Tome makes a decent phono lead

 

[Rockchild]

Yannis Tome makes a decent phono lead

Yes mate, had some before and likely to go to the copper ones with decent plugs. As the op says, silver in vinyl replay is a nightmare. My Benz is arriving tomorrow too.

 

[uzzy]

Just make sure it is not the cartridge (and not the current Phono stage you have) not being laid back to your liking ..

 

[Seibassman]

My 2p's worth, I have an LP12 Akurate + level and I use a Goldnote ph10 phonostage with a power supply also available and recommended. I consider it to be an excellent choice and I preferred it to an Urika when I did a quick demo.lI found it warm detailed and not at all fatiguing. I love how flexible it is and very easy to use. I am not sure of your price range but the PH10 is about £1400 and the PS about £1000. It is an Italian brand not that well known in the UK butbwhen I heard it I was smitten especially for the price.

 

[ssfas]

I was going to suggest the EAR phono box. Had one for a couple of years and it is pleasing and totally inoffensive. The loading is for 100 ohms, so I recall.