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Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Mon, Jul 30 2012, 5:58PM

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

I fancy a Cyrus 8 DAC to replace my Roksan Kandy LIII and Arcam rDAC, but the Cyrus doesn't have a built in phono stage. What dedicated phono amps should I audition to be at least as good or significantly better, if not too expensive, as the Roksan?

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Mon, Jul 30 2012, 6:08PM

#1

plastic penguin

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Joined: 28 Apr 2008

Posts: 13189

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

You'll be hard pushed to better the Roksan built-in phono stage. They have a reputation of building excellent turntables, and this is demonstrated in their amps. Shame they didn't fit one to the Caspian...

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Leema Pulse MKII-S; Naim CD5i MKII; Denon TU-260L MKII; MA RS6 speakers; Pro-ject Xpression 1; loads of different cables...

Formerly known as plastic penguin

Mon, Jul 30 2012, 7:32PM

#2

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

plastic penguin wrote:

You'll be hard pushed to better the Roksan built-in phono stage.

OK, but I'll need one if I upgrade the amp, so what should I consider?

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Mon, Jul 30 2012, 8:24PM

#3

plastic penguin

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Joined: 28 Apr 2008

Posts: 13189

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

ifor wrote:

plastic penguin wrote:

You'll be hard pushed to better the Roksan built-in phono stage.

OK, but I'll need one if I upgrade the amp, so what should I consider?

Depends on your budget. The minimum for decent stage is http://www.richersounds.com/product/phono-pre-amps/cambridge-audio/651p/camb-651p, for a Cyrus. Or you could consider a Pro-ject phono box or this http://www.whathifi.com/review/heed-audio-questar-mm.

I've heard the Cambridge 640 which was good value for money.

__________________

Leema Pulse MKII-S; Naim CD5i MKII; Denon TU-260L MKII; MA RS6 speakers; Pro-ject Xpression 1; loads of different cables...

Formerly known as plastic penguin

Mon, Jul 30 2012, 10:58PM

#4

Alears

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Joined: 23 Nov 2008

Posts: 1228

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

You don't say what your cartridge is but i am assuming its a moving magnet.

As the Plastic Penguin says you are going to have to pay some to beat the inbuilt stage in the Roksan.

It might be worth your while looking at this:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tom-Evans-Microgroove-Phono-Stage-/190706124579?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c66f88723

This will better the Cambridge suggested and is upgradeable to boot.

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Origin Live Aurora Gold+Illustrious Mk2 arm+Zyx R100-02/Stello CDT200+Stello DA220 dac/Tom Evans Groove Anniversary phono amp/Tom Evans Vibe preamp/Linear A power amp/Acoustic Zen Adagios/Chord cables/Oppo 105EU.

Tue, Jul 31 2012, 5:43PM

#5

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Thanks for the advice guys.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Tue, Jul 31 2012, 6:14PM

#6

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Thanks for the advice guys.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Tue, Jul 31 2012, 6:22PM

#7

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Alears wrote:

You don't say what your cartridge is but i am assuming its a moving magnet.

Sorry, forgot to answer the cartridge question. Yes, Moving Magnet; Goldring G1042.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Tue, Jul 31 2012, 8:22PM

#8

gbhsi1

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Joined: 5 Mar 2008

Posts: 1208

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

ifor wrote:

I fancy a Cyrus 8 DAC to replace my Roksan Kandy LIII and Arcam rDAC, but the Cyrus doesn't have a built in phono stage. What dedicated phono amps should I audition to be at least as good or significantly better, if not too expensive, as the Roksan?

I'd recommend a trichord dino - if you can get one second hand at a good price you can't go wrong. Also it will handle a MC cartridge when you feel like upgrading. I moved from my roksan kandy to trichord - night and day result :-)

Tue, Jul 31 2012, 11:55PM

#9

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

ifor

gbhsi1 wrote:

ifor wrote:

I fancy a Cyrus 8 DAC to replace my Roksan Kandy LIII and Arcam rDAC, but the Cyrus doesn't have a built in phono stage. What dedicated phono amps should I audition to be at least as good or significantly better, if not too expensive, as the Roksan?

I'd recommend a trichord dino - if you can get one second hand at a good price you can't go wrong. Also it will handle a MC cartridge when you feel like upgrading. I moved from my roksan kandy to trichord - night and day result :-)

Interesting. What does your Dino feed?

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Wed, Aug 1 2012, 9:02PM

#10

gbhsi1

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Joined: 5 Mar 2008

Posts: 1208

RE: ifor

ifor wrote:

gbhsi1 wrote:

ifor wrote:

I fancy a Cyrus 8 DAC to replace my Roksan Kandy LIII and Arcam rDAC, but the Cyrus doesn't have a built in phono stage. What dedicated phono amps should I audition to be at least as good or significantly better, if not too expensive, as the Roksan?

I'd recommend a trichord dino - if you can get one second hand at a good price you can't go wrong. Also it will handle a MC cartridge when you feel like upgrading. I moved from my roksan kandy to trichord - night and day result :-)

Interesting. What does your Dino feed?

it's connected to a pro-ject experience 2 turntable with a Rondo Red MC.

Wed, Aug 1 2012, 10:20PM

#11

Likearollincheese

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Joined: 30 Jan 2010

Posts: 25

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

I'll heartily second the vote for the Dino - I've tried a few phono amps over recent years, but love the Dino to bits.

In fact I've got two of them on the go at the minute - a Mk 1 and a Mk 2. If you go looking for a second hand one, I have to admit that I can't really tell the difference between the mk 1 and the mk 2 - but you'll likely save yourself a few quid on a mk1.

I've currently got two turntables on the go - but my favourite combination is my Systemdek with a Origin live modified RB250 and the Goldring 1042. I really don't know if its the Dino Mk1 or 2 I've got wired up currently (I tend to fiddle with my set up) but it sounds sweet.

Fri, Aug 3 2012, 8:21PM

#12

ifor

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Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Watching eBay.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Fri, Aug 3 2012, 8:21PM

#13

ifor

Offline

Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Watching eBay.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Fri, Aug 3 2012, 8:21PM

#14

ifor

Offline

Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Watching eBay.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

Fri, Aug 3 2012, 8:21PM

#15

ifor

Offline

Joined: 3 Dec 2002

Posts: 467

RE: Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??

Watching eBay.

__________________

Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system.

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