betty boop Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) A bit of background firstly.... I've owned an audio research ph5 tube phono stage for few years now, and love the sound off it. When getting a rega p9 TT with my ortofon jubilee some years ago, I got to opportunity to check out briefly the just released at the time Rega IOS phono stage. Enough of a listen that it got my attention but not something I did anything further about. Ofcourse when I finally get around to wanting to check one out on a more extended basis, I find out the thing has been discontinued. As Rega decided it is so good it deserves reference status and plonking it in a Rega reference range case ala ISIS and the like - and correspondingly bumped up its rrp by several multiples ! So am now even more keen to check an IOS out ! Ofcourse this is not an easy thing. Only place can find one is in the US, but the local importer is very decent and after checking with Rega in the UK are happy to switch it over to local power. Easy task as Rega has been very thoughtful in providing an international power supply that just requires a simple internal change and replacement of fuse. Easy done by the service centre and there you have it I finally I have a Rega IOS to check out and in my system to listen too So has all this been worth it ? I give one of my favourite LPs a spin, one know well, recorded well and with some music really enjoy, listened to a few tracks on my arc ph5 and then swap over to the rega IOS. The IOS in listening clearly has better separation and vocals and details are more apparent from where they are coming from, its pulling more detail ie in the top end and articulates well in the vocals. The IOS has better noise floor and gain wise it has heaps more than the arc and thats even on the lowest setting. And in configuration can set it up pretty well to suit my jubilee. All in all it really is very very good phono stage ! and I like the overall sound and how presents. So after listening now to a whole side of the LP I swap back to the arc ph5 to listen to same side and here is the rub. Even though I would say the Rega is probably a technically better performing and sounding phono stage. Swapping back to the ph5 it is in one word beguiling in its sound. I have no idea how it does it. But it is just to my ears just so right so musical. Its in the vocals its in the way music emanates the way it all hangs together. Now I will be first to admit maybe what is going on here is my ears / brain is used to sound of the arc ph5 a bit like old slippers that are warm cosy and comfy. So perhaps need to give the rega a bit more time to settle in, for me to to get more comfortable to its sound. But at this stage where I had my arc ph5 up as an EOI and full intention of flogging it off when got the rega I am now completely torn. I like both for their different aspects ! and theres no way am letting the arc ph5 go anyone else stuck with a couple of phono stages because they like both or cant make their minds up ?? hehe Edited August 8, 2012 by :) al 3
wolster Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Nice story, Al. For interest, it might be an idea to get a fresh set of ears to hear both and get the resulting impressions. It will at least give you a different perspective on your dilemna. 1
vmhf Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) Great write up al. I am torn between my Herron VTPH-2 and Boulder 1008 phono stages. On one hand the superbly clear and detailed Boulder lets me hear everything going on in a recording. Detail levels are amazing as is the deep, controlled bass. Whilst on the other hand the Herron just has this engaging sound especially in the vocals that draws you into a performance. Valves are the reason for this as analog brother states. Things get tougher for me when I add an Ypsilon SUT to the Herron... Edited August 8, 2012 by vmhf
loki65 Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 What i found with my IOS, about 1/2 to 1 Hr to warm up. But after about 3 Hrs, sounds it's best. Weekends and holidays, i leave it on. Only turn it off during the week, as i don't listen to it as much. You don't think the shinny box on the IOS reference is worth the extra cost.
betty boop Posted August 9, 2012 Author Posted August 9, 2012 valves. yep hear you 4 off 6922's doing their thing in the arc ph5 I dare say bit of SS vs tube thing going on here, and the tubes having a bit part to play ! Hang on to both and buy another turntable !!!! hehe at this stage definitely hanging onto both. but two TTs ??? wife would think have gone nuts ! though I think she's in acceptance of that already. but doubt be able to get away with two TTs Nice story, Al. For interest, it might be an idea to get a fresh set of ears to hear both and get the resulting impressions. It will at least give you a different perspective on your dilemna. yes good idea, wish you were closer ! next time someone over will get them to have a listen see what they think as well
Guest JohnA Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 i would keep the one that draws you into the music, and from reading this, seems to be the audio research. or keep both as mentioned and grab a second table Wife would love that one
betty boop Posted August 9, 2012 Author Posted August 9, 2012 Great write up al. I am torn between my Herron VTPH-2 and Boulder 1008 phono stages. On one hand the superbly clear and detailed Boulder lets me hear everything going on in a recording. Detail levels are amazing as is the deep, controlled bass. Whilst on the other hand the Herron just has this engaging sound especially in the vocals that draws you into a performance. Valves are the reason for this as analog brother states. Things get tougher for me when I add an Ypsilon SUT to the Herron... wow can imagine the boulder being quite something ! and interesting about the herron and its engaging sound. Am quite taken aback the differences in the two phono stages I've experienced and very much along similar lines of youve found as well. Valves could very much be where its at. What i found with my IOS, about 1/2 to 1 Hr to warm up. But after about 3 Hrs, sounds it's best. Weekends and holidays, i leave it on. Only turn it off during the week, as i don't listen to it as much. You don't think the shinny box on the IOS reference is worth the extra cost. interesting loki, appreciate to hear from your experience of the IOS. will do the same. like yourself I do a bit of fragmented listening during the week. most of my listening on weekends too so be easy enough to just leave it on. see how goes hehe yeah no cant see sense spending up big on the reference when really its the IOS inside hehe
betty boop Posted August 9, 2012 Author Posted August 9, 2012 i would keep the one that draws you into the music, and from reading this, seems to be the audio research. or keep both as mentioned and grab a second table Wife would love that one hehe yeah cant imagine the wife too impressed at all ! really divided john, though love the arc and what it is doing there is a lot to like about the IOS as well it is very very good to part with it either. maybe time will tell. But damn I didnt think end up in this situation and thought be a lot more clear cut.
Gordon Macfarlane Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 Hi Al , great read as usual. I with John on this one ie. keep the one that draws you into the music the most.
betty boop Posted August 9, 2012 Author Posted August 9, 2012 john and gordon, you guys are right. its going to be a really hard call for me. will spend some more time wiht them both. am thinking this weekend will spend a bit more time listening see what I think. plus I'll try a bit more mix of material
analog brother Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 time your listening sessions and note the time when listener fatigue set's in. compare. 1
robin-hobart Posted August 9, 2012 Posted August 9, 2012 Strongly recommend you dump the ARC. I reckon it would go nicely with my ARC LS8 (also 4 x 6922) line stage
betty boop Posted August 10, 2012 Author Posted August 10, 2012 time your listening sessions and note the time when listener fatigue set's in. compare. good suggestion that one listening to some eva cassidy now... plan to leave the IOS on all weekend and all will listen to all vinyl via it. condition myself and with some extended listening see how I go. Strongly recommend you dump the ARC. I reckon it would go nicely with my ARC LS8 (also 4 x 6922) line stage hahaha ! I dont know what it is but I seem to be attracted to valve gear with 6922's !
betty boop Posted August 12, 2012 Author Posted August 12, 2012 [quote name= al' timestamp='1344508180' post='745709] john and gordon, you guys are right. its going to be a really hard call for me. will spend some more time wiht them both. am thinking this weekend will spend a bit more time listening see what I think. plus I'll try a bit more mix of material fat lot of good thats done.....all thats left me doing is start thinking about how could setup two TTs and if did get a second table what would I get and with what cart ???? thats all a bit like thinking about how I should invent unobtanium :lol: ok I guess this thing is going to take me a bit longer to decide....something like 6 months maybe ! *blink* no rush I guess .... looks like both are a stayer...time might tell lets see
robin-hobart Posted August 12, 2012 Posted August 12, 2012 Har! - another ditherer - just like me. I've finally worked out this component swapping usually isn't a matter of superior / inferior. It's apples and oranges; not better or worse - just different. Maybe. EG: For the life of me I can't work out if I prefer the ARC LS8 (4 x 6922) or the hybrid LS2 (just the one 6922). Put one away out of sight for a week or 10. If you get the urge, by all means change them over, put the other one away. Might find yourself leaving one in the circuit longer than the other? And never hurts to have a real-time, emergency, phono backup stage readily available. Just in case. I have a very handy wardrobe - it's full of hifi 'options'. I even have winter amps (tubed space heaters) and summer amps (ss of course). Doesn't matter:- so long as the wardrobe is big enough!
betty boop Posted August 21, 2012 Author Posted August 21, 2012 (edited) have purposefully left the rega eos on the last week or so and kept away from it. checking out tonight, listening to eden atwood waves, bossa nova sessions and its sounding simply delicious ! too scared to switch on the arc ph5 to see how sounds through it hehe, leave that for another day Har! - another ditherer - just like me. I've finally worked out this component swapping usually isn't a matter of superior / inferior. It's apples and oranges; not better or worse - just different. Maybe. EG: For the life of me I can't work out if I prefer the ARC LS8 (4 x 6922) or the hybrid LS2 (just the one 6922). Put one away out of sight for a week or 10. If you get the urge, by all means change them over, put the other one away. Might find yourself leaving one in the circuit longer than the other? And never hurts to have a real-time, emergency, phono backup stage readily available. Just in case. I have a very handy wardrobe - it's full of hifi 'options'. I even have winter amps (tubed space heaters) and summer amps (ss of course). Doesn't matter:- so long as the wardrobe is big enough! yep I think you got me summed up there, its definitely not a superior inferior thing here, no better no worse ..just different ...with each with something to like, have done just as suggested. and will give the rega a go for another week or 10 as you suggest. its sounding just peachy ... so why not .... will give the arc a bit of a rest for a while. maybe come spring hehehe or earlier if I just cant resist lets see will fire it up again.... enjoying them both .... so why not ! a phono stage for each season hehe ps have a few things under the bed....but thats another story :ph34r: hifi options...like it :wub: Edited August 21, 2012 by :) al
loki65 Posted August 22, 2012 Posted August 22, 2012 [quote name= al' timestamp='1345552233' post='752044] so why not ! a phono stage for each season hehe Stop giving me ideas. Good to see your enjoying the IOS
djb Posted September 9, 2012 Posted September 9, 2012 Try a different set of ears it's good suggestion even if it did come from wolster
Guest JohnA Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 So Al, whats the outcome of all this? You keeping them both and swapping as the mood sees fit, or looking at a second table / arm setup. Or you going to sell one
betty boop Posted October 13, 2012 Author Posted October 13, 2012 So Al, whats the outcome of all this? You keeping them both and swapping as the mood sees fit, ~ thats just what have been doing john, ran with the ios for a month or so and since swapped to the arc. cant see selling either john. they really are both very good in different aspect
Guest JohnA Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 very good mate, the sickness is catching on i can see a second turntable in your future at this rate
betty boop Posted October 13, 2012 Author Posted October 13, 2012 very good mate, the sickness is catching on i can see a second turntable in your future at this rate hehe never say never 1
Guest JohnA Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 [quote name= al' timestamp='1350110444' post='777973] hehe never say never so true, i think i made that stupid mistake once what was i thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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