Phono Stage Hold Up!

Noggindoo

OK so while I wait and save for a new solid state amp as per my other thread Integrated Amp Advice
My equipment consists of :- Nothing fantastic I am on I tight budget until I win the lotto

Audio Technica LP120 Turntable.
Marantz CD6006 UK CD player
Yaqin MC10 T tube amp.
Gale 4040 floor standing speakers.

Like I said nothing audiophile massively outstanding.
So the LP120 turntable does have a built in phono stage which I need to use with the Yaqin amp. But I am wondering if a separate phono stage will improve things and also save me having to reach behind the turntable and switch the in built phono off when I use a different amp.
Now I assume there is a point where adding a very expensive one would be a waste of money against my level of HiFi gear.  Whats your views please.
I have been looking around online as you do at Musical Fidelity  LX2-LPS, Musical Fidelity MX-Vynl (but its £700)  Also Schiit Mani which seems to be a budget price yet reviews place it very well indeed above the MF LX2 and Rega.
My aim  which I have to say I have not yet really achieved is a full warm rich yet detailed sound and at low volume ….
Thoughts please ...Thanks

SickSquirrel

Easy, Trichord Dino, you can pick them up second hand for around £150.

I have had both the Mani and LX2 and the Trichord is considerably better, the Mani was awful in my system, the LX2 OK.

With regards to having good sound at low level you really need to look at your speakers and amp to achieve that...

gibbsy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                For Sale - Marantz cd6006 (not the UK edition)                                                                                                        Purchased in July 2017 this renown and excellent CD player has been very lightly used, approx. two hours a week. In perfect condition and in it's original box with remote and manual. It is not the UK specification edition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                www.avforums.com

Jampot90

I agree with SickSquirrel. The Dino is likely to surpass the phono stage built into pretty much any integrated amp your likely to buy before the lotto win;-)

It can be improved after the rest of the system is swapped out for better kit by the addition of a Never Connected power supply and has a good range of adjustment as well so will accommodate a wide range of cartridges.

Good service from the makers too, should you ever need it as I found when I dropped my NC power supply and wanted it checked out before powering it up again!

Jim

Noggindoo

Hi thanks for replies. I will look into the trichord, do i need to worry about which MK version or are all good. I know i am on budget but regards my gear i have put together so far. I like the At LP120 turntable as i sometimes listen to 78s. Also like the Yaqin tube amp, perhaps at some point diff tubes would help? and happy with the Marantz cd. But i am yearning for a nice rich smooth detailed sound at low level which i havent quite got yet.
I am saving for a new solid state amp for when i dont want to fire the tubes up due to time constraints, prob one of these Audiolab 6000a, Quad vena2 or Musical Fidelity M2. Meantime i am trying to get closer to the sound i crave (prob never really get there but this is the fun) by better phono stage and turntable cartridge upgrade. Then i will start to consider speakers. Unless black friday throws up anything worth a punt.

Jampot90

All good. I guess there must have been incremental changes to performance and the appearance changed slightly. Mine was a mk2 but it may be a case of what turns up that's affordable - mk3s are likely to be beyond budget.

When / if you change the cartridge try to find one that offers a 78 stylus option so that you can easily swap the stylus for optimum output from the 78s.

Jim