A little help

[Smudger 14]

Hi all, I am looking for some assistance with my new dilemma. I am currently running my Rega planar 6 with a ania pro  MC cartridge, I run a Vincent Pho hybrid phono stage with a Prima luna.HP dialogue integrated amp. 

I am changing my set up as I have just Purchased a Macintosh Ma 352 hybrid integrated amp. The valve phono stage only accommodates MM cartridge no MC input.

What cartridge would you suggest I am looking at the new Rega Nd7 or the ortolan 2m black. 

I have been advised that to use the Vincent phono stage with the MC would be a step backwards.

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks

[SonicArt]

Audio Technica VM740ML. for the money it's a fantastic cartridge,  I would have one over the ortofon any day.

 

Your other choice is to get a step up transformer to run MC into the McIntosh, lots of nice vintage ones floating around Ebay,  denon AU320 or the big daddy AU340, Audio technica step ups are also plentiful.

I am playing around with a Denon AU340 at present,  running an audio technica OC9XML, initial listen very promising,  great bass, plenty of detail,  going to do the switch bypass mod this week then give it a good run.

[Gtar]

I don't know the Vincent phono stage .

Or the amp you have bought but I would try the external phono stage with the Mac first .

I know Mac gear is good but the phono stage within  Amps are generally just average .

Do you have any way doing a comparison between the external phono with your current cart and another turntable fitted with a good MM ?

[SonicArt]

The Mac phono is very good, have listened to the integrated hybrids a few times and its a fantastic amp! I put my money on the Mac phono. Last one I set up was the next model up with mm/mc, an Origin Live Calypso/Illustrious TT combo with Koetsu red, wow, certainly didnt lack for anything.

[cafe67]

12 hours ago, Smudger 14 said:

Hi all, I am looking for some assistance with my new dilemma. I am currently running my Rega planar 6 with a ania pro  MC cartridge, I run a Vincent Pho hybrid phono stage with a Prima luna.HP dialogue integrated amp. 

I am changing my set up as I have just Purchased a Macintosh Ma 352 hybrid integrated amp. The valve phono stage only accommodates MM cartridge no MC input.

What cartridge would you suggest I am looking at the new Rega Nd7 or the ortolan 2m black. 

I have been advised that to use the Vincent phono stage with the MC would be a step backwards.

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks

Why not try the Vincent phono with the Mac 352, if you were happy with it and the Prima Luna. You could be ditching a perfectly good phono stage and cartridge for no reason.

 

Alternatively you could try getting a mc stepup transformer to run your Ania MC into the  352 mm inputs 

Edited September 12, 2024 by cafe67

[Hydrology]

I would advise as per the recommendations so far - stick to MC and use your Vincent phono stage plugged into the MA352. Once you go MC its hard to go back in my opinion and experience (and I've been doing this a long time). Plus as good as the 2M Black is, it can be quite a clinical cart. And even more important, its need to be setup 100% - no room for error in the setup or the result will sound poor.

 

Edited September 12, 2024 by Hydrology

[Smudger 14]

Thank you for the input, do you think the Vincent PHO 701 is up to the task when linked to the 352, feels a bit like I may have wasted some cash on the amp if I don't use it to its max potential.

 

 

[cafe67]

31 minutes ago, Smudger 14 said:

Thank you for the input, do you think the Vincent PHO 701 is up to the task when linked to the 352, feels a bit like I may have wasted some cash on the amp if I don't use it to its max potential.

 

 

Ultimately it will be your ears that make that decision - don’t be second guessed by somebody else’s thoughts - but I would suggest that your current p6 , ania  and pho 701 will be fine with your new amp. 
 

Just remember to connect the pho to a aux input , not the mm input.

 

What speakers are you using and do you have any other source components? 

 

let us know how it goes and how it sounds 

Edited September 12, 2024 by cafe67

[Hydrology]

22 minutes ago, Smudger 14 said:

Thank you for the input, do you think the Vincent PHO 701 is up to the task when linked to the 352, feels a bit like I may have wasted some cash on the amp if I don't use it to its max potential.

 

 

If anything its incredibly disappointing that a $14,000 integrated amplifier ONLY has MM capability.

As @cafe67 says let your ears do the deciding for you, not the retail salesperson. The phono stage in the McIntosh is only one piece of the amplifier, not the thing to hang your hat on.

I would not remotely consider changing your existing phono and cart combination as is.

 

If you do however decide on the Ortofon, I assume you would be buying the 2MR Black rather than the regular model? The 2MR means there is no need to raise the tonearm height on a Rega.

[stevoz]

Nothing wrong with Vincent mate.....I fear you have been advised by an audio snob.

It is true that the Vincent and the Mac may be on vastly different price levels but Vincent is certainly a respected 'bang for buck' brand. Just try them together and make up your own mind.

As for the best cart, I'll leave that for others to advise.

[Smudger 14]

On 12/09/2024 at 9:26 PM, cafe67 said:

Ultimately it will be your ears that make that decision - don’t be second guessed by somebody else’s thoughts - but I would suggest that your current p6 , ania  and pho 701 will be fine with your new amp. 
 

Just remember to connect the pho to a aux input , not the mm input.

 

What speakers are you using and do you have any other source components? 

 

let us know how it goes and how it sounds 

Sorry for the late reply, I am running Revival audio Atalante 4 speakers. I also have an eversolo dmp-a6 streamer running through the balanced connections.