Alistair_1972 Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 Does anyone own/have any experience with this phono stage? I recently purchased on a whim based on good reviews I'd read online. I'm not entirely sold on it yet but that could simply be a break in issue Also, I'm totally lost at what settings I need to set the dip switches to for my Sumiko Moonstone MM cart Any tips advice gratefully received
TheBlackDisc Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) I auditioned one against a Dynavector P75 MKIV (studiophono, but it's the same except no headphone). I found it outperformed the Dynavector on seperation of instruments/vocals across the soundstage and it was super quiet. The dynavactor, while not as pinpoint, had a huge soundstage in comparison. I endedd up with the DV, but I couldn't say it was better, just different. I had a musical fidelity something to audition at the same time that was ballpark in that price range, and I felt is was a piece of garbage compared to the other two (and I'm a musical fidelity fan). Can't help with the dipswitches, the store set those up for me. Edited July 14, 2021 by TheBlackDisc
andyr Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, Alistair_1972 said: Does anyone own/have any experience with this phono stage? I recently purchased on a whim based on good reviews I'd read online. I'm not entirely sold on it yet but that could simply be a break in issue Also, I'm totally lost at what settings I need to set the dip switches to for my Sumiko Moonstone MM cart Any tips advice gratefully received Your Sumiko Moonstone seems to be a pretty standard MM cart - so will be happy with 47k ohms loading. However, you may find - given its coil impedance of 1,130 ohms - it sounds better with 100k loading (which, unfortunately, the MoFi doesn't provide! ). It's output is a bit lower than standard - at 3mV. So if your MoFi Ultraphono has gain options - choose the next one up from 40dB. So, 46dB - which is got by having dip switches '1' & '12 "ON". All the other dipswitches should be set to "OFF". Andy Edited July 14, 2021 by andyr 1
Alistair_1972 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Posted July 14, 2021 1 hour ago, andyr said: Your Sumiko Moonstone seems to be a pretty standard MM cart - so will be happy with 47k ohms loading. However, you may find - given its coil impedance of 1,130 ohms - it sounds better with 100k loading (which it doesn't provide! ). It's output is a bit lower than standard - at 3mV. So if your MoFi Ultraphono has gain options - choose the next one up from 40dB. So, 46dB - which is got by having dip switches '1' & '12 "ON". All the other dipswitches should be set to "OFF". Andy Hey mate thanks for advice I wish I worked harder in Physics. I have ZERO understanding of electronics. 1
andyr Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 NP, @Alistair_1972. Enjoy the musical experience ... and get in touch when you feel the time for an upgrade to your phono stage has arrived. Andy
Alistair_1972 Posted July 15, 2021 Author Posted July 15, 2021 23 hours ago, andyr said: NP, @Alistair_1972. Enjoy the musical experience ... and get in touch when you feel the time for an upgrade to your phono stage has arrived. Andy I was listening today and the detail/separation from the MoFi was impressive. Not sure about the soundstage but we'll see Thanks for all the help/replies evertone Alistair
Alistair_1972 Posted July 18, 2021 Author Posted July 18, 2021 Well, lockdown has meant my Rega 3 has been seeing a fair bit of action over the weekend. I used to be sceptical about the idea of 'run in/beak in' times for equipment. I thought it nothing but horse plop. However, the MoFi has blown that perception out of the water. After a couple of dozen records it was absolutely singing and by the time I got to REMs Green album, I was hearing bass lines like I've never heard them. Fat, loud and natural, like I could see Mike whatshisname from REM plucking each string. The clarity, separation and detail is staggering. I do think that there's a minor compromise on the soundstage as another poster suggested earlier, but certainly a great little phono stage
Wimbo Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Alistair_1972 said: I used to be sceptical about the idea of 'run in/beak in' times for equipment. I thought it nothing but horse plop. Enthusiasts are generally the ones who have varying opinions about burn in, cable direction, cable sound, isolation etc and these opinions are gained from experience. Don't be blinkered, open the mind and make your decision by listening as you are now doing.
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