Dan D'Agostino Momentum Phono review

asiufy · Jul 21, 2019

Guys,

I've always been impressed by what Dan achieved with his phono, and I thought this review is very comprehensive and informative:

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/07/21/dagostino-momentum-phono-review

cheers,
Alex

Stump · Jul 21, 2019

I would like a home demo with my equipment.Might hear it at HK Show next month...

asiufy · Jul 22, 2019

Cool, hope you get to hear it soon!
To go with the new review, here's one from 2017:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superi..._Momentum_Phono_Stage_Preamplifier_Review.htm

Bobvin · Jul 22, 2019

The black and copper is nicer looking than the silver, but damn, that is one piece of industrial drek looks-wise. Awesome piece of kit, would love to own one, hidden in the closet, out of sight.

asiufy · Jul 22, 2019

Well, I beg to differ

I think it looks pretty cool, and we only have the silver one, that doesn't look as sleek as the black...

microstrip · Jul 22, 2019

Nice review, with plenty of details and interesting information.

Although I already respected the Momentum's since the upgrade from M300 to M400, my admiration increased significantly when I recently listened to the WAMMs/ DCS Vivaldi set being driven by the very new version of the Momentum preamplfier and the Relentless. Although the WAMMs and the Relentless were the kings at the party, there was a liquidity and realism in voices that transcended the capabilities of any solid state preamplifier I have listened before, particularly of the old Momentum preamplifier. I found curious that, in spite of the dynamics, bass extension, delineation and drive of typical top solid state Mohammed Samji also found this phono unit having "warm tube-like reproduction".

The sad side of the story is that this phono stage costs significantly more than twice the price of my Audio Research Ref 3 ...

Bobvin · Jul 22, 2019

I'd love to hear the Dag alongside a couple tube offerings, like ARC's REF10 Phono, and or the Doshi phono-pre. That said, I think ARC is coming up on a 50th anniversary, so there should be some amazing pieces soon to debut. The REF10 pre, the REF10 phono, are a little long in the tooth.

Alex, do you have a REF10 Phono in-house?

asiufy · Jul 22, 2019

Not currently, only the REF10 preamp. We've had it briefly, though, as well as the REF 3 Phono.
But I can't agree with the REF 10 pre being "long in the tooth". It is still very much state of the art, so trust me, you've got that part covered, Bob

The REF 10 is still THE tube preamp others are compared to. There are a few contenders that I hope to audition in the second part of the year, so let's see how that plays out...

cheers,
Alex

XV-1 · Jul 22, 2019

The Momentum Phono allows you to connect to two MC and two MM cartridges at any time, allowing for up to a total of four tonearms to be simultaneously connected.

This makes zero sense. Why can you not run 4 x MC if you want to?
Lets be honest, not many people in this price range run 2 mc & 2 mm carts. It's an oxymoron.

Personally, I run tables with 4 mc's and use my mm's sparingly.

rockitman · Jul 22, 2019

XV-1 said:
This makes zero sense. Why can you not run 4 x MC if you want to?
Lets be honest, not many people in this price range run 2 mc & 2 mm carts. It's an oxymoron.

Personally, I run tables with 4 mc's and use my mm's sparingly.

Having MM inputs allows for use of MC Step Up Trannies to offer far greater versatility in sound with the same phonostage. What’s the point of having 4 inputs sound exactly the same ?

XV-1 · Jul 22, 2019

rockitman said:
Having MM inputs allows for use of MC Step Up Trannies to offer far greater versatility in sound with the same phonostage. What’s the point of having 4 inputs sound exactly the same ?

Christian.

Where did I say there should be no MM inputs?. You should be able to have any combination you like if there are 4 inputs.

The Dag phono has only one input stage with gain set for MM and MC between 40 and 75db. You then adjust loading and capacitance accordingly.

This should allow for 4xmm, 4 x mc and any other combo you like.

rockitman · Jul 22, 2019

I misunderstood then. My Allnic has 4 inputs...2 MC and 2 MM. I am happy with that combo. Not long ago I would have preferred 3 MC inputs and one MM...but then I got a second phonostage with one MM and two MC’s. Two phono’s Usually solves the multi Tonearm input crisis...

Stump · Jul 22, 2019

XV-1 said:
This makes zero sense. Why can you not run 4 x MC if you want to?
Lets be honest, not many people in this price range run 2 mc & 2 mm carts. It's an oxymoron.

Personally, I run tables with 4 mc's and use my mm's sparingly.

Can you afford to buy 2?? See you in HK..

XV-1 · Jul 23, 2019

Stump said:
Can you afford to buy 2?? See you in HK..

No.

Not going to HK this year as currently away with fam in the USA Niagra falls 2morrow.
I am going to the Philippines show in Nov.

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Dan D'Agostino Momentum Phono review

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