Ypsilon VPS - 100 phono stage - how good?

[bonzo75]

I have compared Allnic H7000 (with RK 5u4g recti) to Ypsilon with Lyra Atlas and Ypsilon SUT in Ypsilon. Ypsilon had slightly cleaner extended high, while the H7000 had more midbass energy and flow. I liked both, but the H7000 in the used market is half the price, and I would buy that each time over the Ypsilon. The Allnic 3000 was better than the Zesto and Trulife when the recti was swapped, was less than the Zesto with stock recti.

Unlike with dacs, there are many good phonos, and as long as there is synergy with your cart and preamp, I would always go for one that is good value and flexible. Yes The Allnic 5000 with its DHT flow was slightly better than the Aesthetix IO Eclipse sonically and possibly the best I heard (I heard the H8000 twice but never compared it). But while I desire the carts I like Dava and Red Sparrow and a mono, and desire the Vyger, I don't "desire" my favorite phono, I am happy with all of them. I would never buy an expensive phono even if I had the spare cash, because that cash is better put somewhere else like records.

Rada, Misho, are great value phonos you can get direct from eastern europe. Thomas Mayer D3a works great with TM pre in SETs type systems and very good reliability in construction. One person I know sold off the Zanden phono for Misho's 4k euro direct, and likes the inexpensive Misho SUT as much as Kondo SFz. So, don't get FOMO reading phono notes across the forum.

 

[Ron Resnick]

One person I know sold off the Zanden phono for Misho's 4k euro direct

Hi Kedar,

How can we interpret anything sonically from merely this fact?

You are implying that to this person the Misho 4k sounds better than, as good as, almost as good as or a substantial fraction as good as the Zanden phono. But maybe this person switched to a much cheaper phono stage only to pay for a roof repair?

 

[bonzo75]

Hi Kedar,

How can we interpret anything sonically from merely this fact?

You are implying that to this person the Misho 4k sounds better than, as good as, almost as good as or a substantial fraction as good as the Zanden phono. But maybe this person switched to a much cheaper phono stage only to pay for a roof repair?

He switched purely for sonics, his other electronics are quite more expensive as are his speakers and TT. I will let him announce when he does. Thanks for trying to mislead He thought the misho phono was better.

 

[skinnyfla]

... just added a VPS 100 to my system - loving the sound. Only issue I might address is that it has low(ish) gain with 39db. I am using a Mijayima Cart with 0.21 mV output via 1.20 SUT and when playing at loud volumes (90db plus) I have to turn up the preamp to 60%, causing minimal hum (which you can NOT hear during the song and even between songs the floornoise of the record is louder than the low hum, but all things quiet you can hear it)... not really an issue for me but using even lower output Carts it might be difficult to get a good match...Other than that, it does sound magical!!!!

 

[Elberoth]

0.21 mV is on the low side. A friend of mine used Etsuro Urushi Gold which is 0,3mV and Lyra Lambda SL with VPS100 + Ypsilon SUT and I loved the sound.

He later changed to CH P1+X1, which offered better bass and more resolution, but to me that was a sideways move.

 

[skinnyfla]

… not a fan of CH Precision… to clinical sounding for my taste… lacks warmth and musicality… I‘d rather have a little less resolution rather than tolerating any sort of clinical/harsh sound… I might upgrade my cart to a higher output with a different SUT though… the Ypsilon sounds extremely musical to me and its bass is strong in my system…

 

[Argonaut]

Only issue I might address is that it has low(ish) gain with 39db. I am using a Mijayima Cart with 0.21 mV output via 1.20 SUT and when playing at loud volumes (90db plus) I have to turn up the preamp to 60%,

An Ortofon SPU Synergy @ 0.5 mV might be of interest to you :

SPU Synergy G

The SPU Synergy features a wood-based housing and has a revised generator system which allows for a maximum output of 0.5 mV, relaxing the requirement for high gain transformer or active preamplification systems.

ortofon.com

 

[Rensselaer]

… not a fan of CH Precision… to clinical sounding for my taste… lacks warmth and musicality… I‘d rather have a little less resolution rather than tolerating any sort of clinical/harsh sound… I might upgrade my cart to a higher output with a different SUT though… the Ypsilon sounds extremely musical to me and its bass is strong in my system…

Which SUT are you using? My Phasemation PP-2000 MC has 0.3mV output which is very well handled by the Phasemation T-2000 SUTs. I think Ypsilon makes three different levels for different cartridge outputs (10x, 16x and 20x).

 

[skinnyfla]

Which SUT are you using? My Phasemation PP-2000 MC has 0.3mV output which is very well handled by the Phasemation T-2000 SUTs. I think Ypsilon makes three different levels for different cartridge outputs (10x, 16x and 20x).

Using Consolidated Audio SUT - love the cans!!!

 

[Rensselaer]

Using Consolidated Audio SUT - love the cans!!!

What is the step-up?

 

[skinnyfla]

What is the step-up?

1:20 and good for 10-20 ohm

 

[DasguteOhr]

Using Consolidated Audio SUT - love the cans!!!

Good choice 1: 20,congrats
Exsample mesurements 1:10


if you want to know which sut suits you.

MC Transformer SUT | DIY AUDIOPHILE TUBE ELECTRONIC

kurtblum.com

 

[skinnyfla]

Good choice 1: 20,congrats
Exsample mesurements 1:10
View attachment 141788

if you want to know which sut suits you.

MC Transformer SUT | DIY AUDIOPHILE TUBE ELECTRONIC

kurtblum.com

… that‘s cool, thanks

 

[skinnyfla]

… just having a real long and intense listening session… it’s amazing… everything sounds really „organic“, rich, full, musical… far from neutral I would bet… but the way I like it… got goosebumps multiple times… just transports emotion… really loving what the Ypsilon has added to the system… gonna listen more and open a good bottle of wine accompanied by some good Cognac - cheers

 

[LL21]

I like Ypsilon. I am not massively familiar with it but I have heard their reference monos. From those who know it, my own experience and what I have read from those I know, a very organic, very resolved sound.

 

[skinnyfla]

… I know I may be a little on the euphoric side here, but I can’t think of any phono preamp I ever listened to that even comes close… amazing thing the VPS - 100