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Nano phono overkill for my system?

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Brian6751

New Member
My current setup is an Akai ap-100 turntable with an old Audio Technica cart, a ART dj pre II preamp, Marantz sr-5005 avr, and Cornscala speakers.

I recently acquired a Technics sl-q3 and I'm waiting for my Nagaoka mp110 to arrive.

I'm thinking of upgrading my preamp and was wondering if a clearaudio nano would be a good choice or should I stick with something like the cambridge 651p and the like.
 
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Brian6751 said:
My current setup is an Akai ap-100 turntable with an old Audio Technica cart, a ART dj pre II preamp, Marantz sr-5005 avr, and Cornscala speakers.

I recently acquired a Technics sl-q3 and I'm waiting for my Nagaoka mp110 to arrive.

I'm thinking of upgrading my preamp and was wondering if a clearaudio nano would be a good choice or should I stick with something like the cambridge 651p and the like.
Click to expand...

If you decide to upgrade, go up a few steps.

The Clearaudio Nano has provision for MC cartridge, that is a good thing!:thmbsp:
 
G'day mate, a good phono stage upgrade 'can' be worthwhile, but has to be judged against other considerations.

If the system is already of a high standard, improvement may not be overly evident.

I think a possibly cheaper option that can deliver a stunning 'apparent' improvement, is to simply to give all contact points (RCA plugs and etc), a good clean with Deoxit as slow oxide build up/degraded connections can subtly affect sound quality.

Do a good 'clean up' first, then decide if a better upgraded phono stage is worth it. Regards, Felix aka catman.
 
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catman said:
G'day mate, a good phono stage upgrade 'can' be worthwhile, but has too be judged against other considerations.

If the system is already of a high standard, improvement may not be overly evident.

I think a possibly cheaper option that can deliver a stunning 'apparent' improvement, is to simply to give all contact points (RCA plugs and etc), a good clean with Deoxit as slow oxide build up/degraded connections can subtly affect sound quality.

Do a good 'clean up' first, then decide if a better upgraed phono stage is worth it. Regards, Felix aka catman.
Click to expand...

Going to clean it up for sure, but I get what your saying. Thanks!
 
I upgraded from the phono stage of my Sherwood to a Graham Slee Amp2SE. Even if I were still using my old Audio Technica AT70 I would say it was a worthwhile purchase. The biggest differences were in timbre and realism. Music just sounded a lot more natural and for once I could hear more than the note of the instrument. Wooden instruments sound wooden, brass sound brass, etc. It's something I hadn't heard before and I'm not really sure how to describe it.

The nano appears to be a really nice phono stage but personally I'd go for an MM only stage if you don't have any plans to use an MC in the future. I find it helps to have all of your money going toward only the features you are going to be using, though you lose a lot of flexibility with that mindset.
 
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RedFuneral said:
I upgraded from the phono stage of my Sherwood to a Graham Slee Amp2SE. Even if I were still using my old Audio Technica AT70 I would say it was a worthwhile purchase.

The nano appears to be a really nice phono stage but personally I'd go for an MM only stage if you don't have any plans to use an MC in the future. I find it helps to have all of your money going toward only the features you are going to be using, though you lose a lot of flexibility with that mindset.
Click to expand...

Thing is, I don't know if I'll never want to try a MC.
 
uuuuhhhh, the nano HAS mc capability. see this ad:

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-5082-clearaudio-nano-phono-preamp-mm-mc.aspx

now that that is settled, the nano is a great way to find out how good a really fine piece of electronics sounds. it will be the gateway drug to much more enjoyment. you will find yourself upgrading all aspects of your system.

cambridge equipment has a good bang for the buck factor and maybe a line stage from them coupled with the nano will be a large leap from the level you are at now.

then, an excellent tt and cartridge will be in line. once you try a moving coil cartridge, that taste will have you digging out records you havent listened to in years.

welcome to hifi.
 
perhaps you should compare the sounds of both turntables once your cartridge arrives.
Spend time making sure both cartridges are well aligned and both turntables are not subject to external vibrations in your listening room(isolate them if need be).
If either table sound *much* better or *much* different than that other.. then your existing phono stage probably has decent enough resolution as it is.
Keep tweaking the front end until you can no longer hear an improvement...then audition a better turntable at a dealer or via a friend using your existing phono stage and amplification.
If you hear an improvement...consider a better turntable...if you don't...then perhaps consider a better phono stage.
You shouldn't really need an mc-ready phono stage until you have a tonearm as good as a rega rb250 or linn akito as a minimum..
 
The Nano has the flexibility of being adjustable for cartridge loading, unlike some cheaper options. I would suggest to include this feature when shopping for a phono preamp.
 
My 2 channel setup is actually part of my 7.1 system so I won't be replacing the avr anytime soon. I probably should have mentioned that. Sorry.

But I have thought of getting that Niles switch and using a different amp with the vinyl end. I do want to upgrade the TT sometime, but when I do I want to go into VTI territory, so that will be a couple years. I just got into vinyl about 5 months ago.

Would the nano still be a good preamp for higher end TT's? If so, it sounds like I should go with it as a better investment. If not really, maybe I should go with a cheaper pre for now and upgrade the pre along with the table?

Also, it's so easy to fall into what I call the "voodoo magic" end of this hobby. Buying expensive cables and gear that only make a difference in your mind and your wallet. I would like to stay away from that. Although I know this may be the wrong forum for that kind of thinking.
 
The Nano can only be overkill cost wise, not quality wise. Nothing can be overkill quality wise.
gusten
 
Brian6751 said:
I do want to upgrade the TT sometime, but when I do I want to go into VTI territory, so that will be a couple of years
Click to expand...

I think you meant VPI because VTI makes racks, not turntables. The Nano should be a nice fit now and in the future.
 
I don't think it's possible to put to much improvement in at the phono stage level in a system. It's as important as the turntable and cartridge, and any source improvement is always worthwhile.
 
Hmm. I think I'm going to go with the musical fidelity for now. Brian at NeedleDoctor recommends it. Thanks for all the input! I'll post back after I get it
 
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