Seeking Advice on System Upgrades: Phono Stage

[Lautreamont]

Hello fellow audiophiles,

I wanted to share my current setup and seek your wisdom on the next steps to refine my system. Here's what I'm working with:

Turntable: Custom-made in rosewood (https://beautifulturntables.com/), featuring an SME 3012 tonearm and a modified Denon 103R cartridge paired with a Jelco HS-30 headshell.
Amplification: A beautifully renovated Sansui AU 9500 integrated amplifier paired with a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 phono preamp.
Speakers: Entry-level Audio Note AN-J/D (which I plan to upgrade shortly).

The Path Ahead​

1. Speakers: While I’ve enjoyed the Audio Note AN-J/D, I recognize they're entry-level, and I’m exploring options for an upgrade. Suggestions for a natural partner to my system would be greatly appreciated. I would like to stick with Audio Note (a "better" model) as I love their natural sound and romantic music representation.
2. Phono Preamp: I feel the Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 might be the weak link in my setup. I’m considering stepping up to a higher-quality phono stage, possibly moving toward a step-up transformer (SUT) to pair with my Denon 103R. I've read good things about the Auditorium 23 SUT—does anyone have experience with it? Would that be considered a major upgrade with significant influence on the overall sound?
3. Cartridge Upgrade: I’m intrigued by the Ortofon SPU line. Especially the old A-models! I love their warm depth and soft dynamics (if you can say so!). If I go this route, I imagine I’d need a compatible SUT to bring out the best in it. Would this be a better match for my SME 3012 tonearm and system overall compared to my current Denon 103R?

Questions for the Forum​

• Do you have recommendations for speakers that might work well with my Sansui AU 9500 and deliver a significant upgrade from the AN-J/D?
• For the phono stage, would you prioritize an SUT like the Auditorium 23 or suggest a different approach?
• Would transitioning to an Ortofon SPU be a worthwhile investment, or should I focus on optimizing my current Denon 103R setup first?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with these components or upgrades. Thank you in advance for your guidance!

Happy listening,

Lautreamont

 

[ssfas]

Hello fellow audiophiles,

I wanted to share my current setup and seek your wisdom on the next steps to refine my system. Here's what I'm working with:

Turntable: Custom-made in rosewood (https://beautifulturntables.com/), featuring an SME 3012 tonearm and a modified Denon 103R cartridge paired with a Jelco HS-30 headshell.
Amplification: A beautifully renovated Sansui AU 9500 integrated amplifier paired with a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 phono preamp.
Speakers: Entry-level Audio Note AN-J/D (which I plan to upgrade shortly).

The Path Ahead​

1. Speakers: While I’ve enjoyed the Audio Note AN-J/D, I recognize they're entry-level, and I’m exploring options for an upgrade. Suggestions for a natural partner to my system would be greatly appreciated. I would like to stick with Audio Note (a "better" model) as I love their natural sound and romantic music representation.
2. Phono Preamp: I feel the Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 might be the weak link in my setup. I’m considering stepping up to a higher-quality phono stage, possibly moving toward a step-up transformer (SUT) to pair with my Denon 103R. I've read good things about the Auditorium 23 SUT—does anyone have experience with it? Would that be considered a major upgrade with significant influence on the overall sound?
3. Cartridge Upgrade: I’m intrigued by the Ortofon SPU line. Especially the old A-models! I love their warm depth and soft dynamics (if you can say so!). If I go this route, I imagine I’d need a compatible SUT to bring out the best in it. Would this be a better match for my SME 3012 tonearm and system overall compared to my current Denon 103R?

Questions for the Forum​

• Do you have recommendations for speakers that might work well with my Sansui AU 9500 and deliver a significant upgrade from the AN-J/D?
• For the phono stage, would you prioritize an SUT like the Auditorium 23 or suggest a different approach?
• Would transitioning to an Ortofon SPU be a worthwhile investment, or should I focus on optimizing my current Denon 103R setup first?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with these components or upgrades. Thank you in advance for your guidance!

Happy listening,

Lautreamont

I have both a Denon DL103R and an Ortofon SPU 1S.

I use them through a Whest Two.2 Discrete. The regular price was £2,500, which was very good for its performance, especially as I paid £1,500 as it had been used at a show.

Whest phono stages have been designed and sold by James Henriot for about 25 years. He is going through an upgrade of the range and the Two-2 has just been discontinued. He has listed a Two.2 for £900 and a Two.2 Discrete for £1,900. Both are a stone cold bargain.

WhestTWO.2 High Resolution Entry Level Phono Stage | Exceptional Fidelity

Dive into the world of high-resolution vinyl playback with the WhestTWO.2 High Resolution Entry Level Phono Stage. MM and MC compatible ultra low noise phono stage. Experience exceptional audio fidelity and precise signal amplification that brings out the best in your vinyl collection. Whest...

www.whestaudio.co.uk

I also use the Two.2 Discrete with an Ikeda 9TS and a Soundsmith Zephyr Mk3.

I also have a RCM Sensor2 Mk2. I thought that was good and it costs £4,000. The Two.2 is just as good for half the price.

 

[Lautreamont]

Hello and thank you for your response!

I know it is difficult to articulate categorical statements about HiFi since it's about subjective taste and feelings... However!

It seems to me, as a beginner, that a phono stage can be applied to a lot of different setups whereas SUTs are primarily made specifically for a type a cartridge. Would you get a more precise match in terms of synergy using a SUT? When would you recommend a phono stage?

I'm also fond of Audio Note as a brand. They also make SUTs.

 

[ssfas]

Hello and thank you for your response!

I know it is difficult to articulate categorical statements about HiFi since it's about subjective taste and feelings... However!

It seems to me, as a beginner, that a phono stage can be applied to a lot of different setups whereas SUTs are primarily made specifically for a type a cartridge. Would you get a more precise match in terms of synergy using a SUT? When would you recommend a phono stage?

I'm also fond of Audio Note as a brand. They also make SUTs.

I've never gone down the SUT route. Know nothing about them.

All I know is that there are some excellent budget phono stages that can be used with serious turntable set-ups.
For example, I've used these:

Phono Preamplifier (PHONO-1 MkII) I Vertere Acoustics

Enjoy the full musical experience with PHONO-1 MkII, the perfect interface between your record player and your amplifier.

www.vertereacoustics.com

EAR PhonoBox Phono MM/MC Preamplifier

Replacing the longstanding, and long-popular 834P, EAR's new PhonoBox is still tube-powered and comes with MC and volume options in addition to a 'deluxe' chrome finish Acat among the pigeons: at a time when we are being treated to a range of superb phono stages at modest prices, what for me is...

www.hifinews.com

 

[MichelVanA]

Hi Lautreamont,
Never heard any of the phono preamps mentioned above, but i can recommend the Ayre P-5xe as i know this unit sounds pretty good for the money.
Prices are just above the units mentioned, so maybe worth considering.
You can find units for sale via: https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=ayre+P-5xe
Best regards, Michel.

 

[Lautreamont]

Ayre P-5xe

Thanks for the tip. I have never heard of this unit, but it sure sounds interesting.

I must admit that I'm a bit of a romantic. That means that valve-based systems are generally appealing to me. It also means that I like a romantic musicality and a warm and deep music representation. It seems like there's a lot of people out there who likes solid state amplifiers with lots of power and streaming. I'm the guy who is more fascinated with an exquisite vinyl record, some tubes and horn speakers. Unfortunately I must wait with horns - I simply don't have space for it in an apartment.

 

[MichelVanA]

Another option is one of the Audio Research phono amplifiers, like the PH-3 or PH-5. These use tubes and have a little less gain compared to the Ayre. My main reason for buying the Ayre was because i want to go for a one-brand electronics set. First choice was Spectral, because of the DMA-360, but it turned out they don't offer a modern phono amplifier. Soulution and Boulder are great, but too expensive for me.

 

[ssfas]

Hi Lautreamont,
Never heard any of the phono preamps mentioned above, but i can recommend the Ayre P-5xe as i know this unit sounds pretty good for the money.
Prices are just above the units mentioned, so maybe worth considering.
You can find units for sale via: https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=ayre+P-5xe
Best regards, Michel.

The EAR Phonobox is the successor to the EAR 834P, and only a slightly modified version of the latter, which was Tim de Pavaracini’s first consumer product and was in production for 49 years. It was hugely popular and there are many copies.

 

[wbass]

The EAR Phonobox is the successor to the EAR 834P, and only a slightly modified version of the latter, which was Tim de Pavaracini’s first consumer product and was in production for 49 years. It was hugely popular and there are many copies.

I’ll second that. The 834P is a really nicely tuned phono stage, a little warm, a little punchy, and really easy to come by.

 

[A-Line]

Hello fellow audiophiles,

I wanted to share my current setup and seek your wisdom on the next steps to refine my system. Here's what I'm working with:

Turntable: Custom-made in rosewood (https://beautifulturntables.com/), featuring an SME 3012 tonearm and a modified Denon 103R cartridge paired with a Jelco HS-30 headshell.
Amplification: A beautifully renovated Sansui AU 9500 integrated amplifier paired with a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 phono preamp.
Speakers: Entry-level Audio Note AN-J/D (which I plan to upgrade shortly).

The Path Ahead​

1. Speakers: While I’ve enjoyed the Audio Note AN-J/D, I recognize they're entry-level, and I’m exploring options for an upgrade. Suggestions for a natural partner to my system would be greatly appreciated. I would like to stick with Audio Note (a "better" model) as I love their natural sound and romantic music representation.
2. Phono Preamp: I feel the Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 might be the weak link in my setup. I’m considering stepping up to a higher-quality phono stage, possibly moving toward a step-up transformer (SUT) to pair with my Denon 103R. I've read good things about the Auditorium 23 SUT—does anyone have experience with it? Would that be considered a major upgrade with significant influence on the overall sound?
3. Cartridge Upgrade: I’m intrigued by the Ortofon SPU line. Especially the old A-models! I love their warm depth and soft dynamics (if you can say so!). If I go this route, I imagine I’d need a compatible SUT to bring out the best in it. Would this be a better match for my SME 3012 tonearm and system overall compared to my current Denon 103R?

Questions for the Forum​

• Do you have recommendations for speakers that might work well with my Sansui AU 9500 and deliver a significant upgrade from the AN-J/D?
• For the phono stage, would you prioritize an SUT like the Auditorium 23 or suggest a different approach?
• Would transitioning to an Ortofon SPU be a worthwhile investment, or should I focus on optimizing my current Denon 103R setup first?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with these components or upgrades. Thank you in advance for your guidance!

Happy listening,

Lautreamont

The upgrade path for me always starts with the source components then onto preamp, amp, then speakers.

You're happy with your AN speakers but your concerns are with your amplifier and phono stage vs SUT.

Audio Note components works best with other Audio Note components, same for FM Acoustics - just my opinion. Replacing your Sansui integrated with a AN integrated or amp,/preamp combo will yield a sonic improvement.

A SUT maybe best suitable for a specific phono pickup within a certain price point whereas a phono stage allows room for growth regarding the upgrade path.

I like EAR phono stages and I currently use a EAR 324 solid state phono stage. This phono stage allows me to use a very wide range of phono cartridges like the ultra cheap Grado moving iron to a Lyra Atlas MC with great sonic results within the capabilities of each cartridge. I also prefer solid state for analog and tubes for digital.

I know nothing about your current turntable or the Jelco arm and Denon pickup. I would certainly want to do a A/B comparison with a entry or mid-level AN turntable vs your current table. Certainly there's room for improvement in your source component(turntable).

In summary I would suggest visiting your AN dealer for options regarding your situation and explore what's possible with your current setup..
I like AN components for classical music, which is mainly what I listen to, not so much for R&B.

Take your time & buy the best that you can afford for every upgrade.

Happy Listening

 

[DasguteOhr]

Why not audionote phono l1 when you like the sound, then can you work with sut.

L1 Phono Stage (6x4) - Release Date: April 1

ankaudiokits.com

A really good sut for denon/spu is this one, switchable in Gain from sacthailand.

SAC Thailand