Linn Forums

Julian H · (This post was last modified: 2011-10-14 20:52 by Julian H.)

Hi gang

Further to my previous thread about this time last year, some may have noticed I finally succumbed to a second deck. It is a Roksan Xerxes 20 with SME 309, Linn T-Kable [original version] and Lyra Skala cartridge. I bust the original budget a little bit Big Grin

as one usually does with these things...

At present I have a Lehmann Black Cube [original version] and I am quite surprised how good it is. However, despite saying that I suspect it must be holding things back quite a bit because this deck is seriously good, having heard a similar level Xerxes 20 in a far better system than mine.

So, or some reason I have come up with the following shortlist of phono stages, the Uphorik, Whest PS30 and Trilogy 907. No Naim stages this time thanks, I want something I have not had before. Any comments on those or any you feel I must add to the list [or indeed cross off]?

Also, Lehmann offer power supply upgrades for the Black Cube, anyone got any experience with those to share?

Cheers, HM

Julian H · 2011-10-14, 21:03

ps - I should say, valves don't really appeal, even though I have heard some good valve things over the last couple of years....

slackboy · 2011-10-14, 21:09

Don't know about the other two, but those Whests are brilliant. In my book it's Whest or Tom Evans for phono amps.

mrclick · 2011-10-14, 21:34

(2011-10-14 21:09)slackboy Wrote: Don't know about the other two, but those Whests are brilliant. In my book it's Whest or Tom Evans for phono amps.

Sonny Rollins went Way Out West. To great effect.

And Whest is what you want.

click

Andy · 2011-10-14, 23:10

(2011-10-14 20:52)honeymonster Wrote: Hi gang

So, or some reason I have come up with the following shortlist of phono stages, the Uphorik, Whest PS30 and Trilogy 907. No Naim stages this time thanks, I want something I have not had before. Any comments on those or any you feel I must add to the list [or indeed cross off]?

Also, Lehmann offer power supply upgrades for the Black Cube, anyone got any experience with those to share?

Cheers, HM

I was also thinking of a phono stage upgrade a while ago and, from my research, I found the following:
* the JLTi is comparable to the Whest PS30R
* the K&K Audio is better than both of the above.

Stephen Brown's "Caravaggio" also looked interesting IMO ... but I couldn't find any comparisons. :-((

Good luck,

Andy

mickc · 2011-10-14, 23:40

(2011-10-14 21:34)mrclick Wrote:
(2011-10-14 21:09)slackboy Wrote: Don't know about the other two, but those Whests are brilliant. In my book it's Whest or Tom Evans for phono amps.

Sonny Rollins went Way Out West. To great effect.

And Whest is what you want.

click

Laurel and Hardy went Way Out West many years before Rollins managed it!

Mick

mazort · 2011-10-15, 01:13

The external PSU for the mighty Black Cube materially improves the sound.

The irony of the Black Cube is it is generally assumed that because of its cost and modest packaging that it's appropriate for budget systems, whereas it's only when it's taken out of that context that it's measure can fully be taken.

With the external PSU I predict you'll be surprised at the staying power of the Black Cube through many system upgrades, suggesting of course you've yet to hear how good it truly is!

shoot6x7 · 2011-10-15, 01:27

Ha, ha, I just succumbed to a second deck too, Technics SL-1210 M5G, this one the wife and the kid can use !

slackboy · 2011-10-15, 03:12

(2011-10-15 01:13)mazort Wrote: With the external PSU I predict you'll be surprised at the staying power of the Black Cube through many system upgrades, suggesting of course you've yet to hear how good it truly is!

Interesting. I love my Black Cube headphone amp - it's stupidly good for the price. I have heard the phono amp, but it wasn't in a great system, which perhaps is why it's not something I ever think to recommend.

I'm toying with the idea of a second turntable too. Probably another LP12, and I reckon I'd get a second-hand Microgroove for it.

Julian H · 2011-10-16, 22:27

Hi

Thanks for the replies so far..

SB. I have heard the TEAD Groove and it really didn't do it for me, a bit soulless in my experience. I hope that does not write the Whest off my list by association....?

Andy. You mention 2 products I have never even heard of. What are the JLTi and the Caravaggio? Do you have some manufacturers links to look at? I have heard the K and K [two actually, both with all the upgrades available] and they were brilliant but I am not into kits and valves don't do it for me as a technology, even if the sound is great, so no go there.

Mazort. It is interesting you should recommend the power supply upgrade. Being a Naimee the upgrade by PS is a proven and well liked path. I wonder how much more I can wreak out of this little black box and how long I would be satisfied with it after the upgrade? Did you go from the standard plastic power supply to the PWX? What sort of things improved?

Cheers

ps - good luck with your second deck shoot. Nice one!