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Two Turntables and a Power Amp

MCM_Fan

MCM_Fan

AK Subscriber
I've been playing around today with my dedicated vinyl listening rig. I recently realized my goal of running two turntables side by side in this system. Today, I dug out my partially restored GAS Son of Ampzilla power amp and paired it with a recently acquired Nikko Beta III preamp. I have also been dipping my toes into the world of external phono stages recently.

For me, the ideal set up for this system would be two turntables, two external phono stages, a power amp and a preamp that is basically an attenuator with two line level inputs. I don't need, or want, tone controls, tape monitor loops, additional inputs, etc. The Schiit Sys meets these requirements, but at $49, I question the quality. I've seen the potentiometer they use, and the one in my Nikko Beta III looks to be MUCH higher quality. So, is there something like the Schiit Sys, only better, perhaps a 2-input switched stepped attentuator. I'm not opposed to DIY, if that would be the best route. Or, should I recap my Beta III and be happy?

I'm enjoying this system so much right now, I'm getting motivated to complete the Son of Ampzilla restoration. Other than more background noise than I'd like, it sounds really good.
 
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Here's a photo of the innards of the Nikko Beta III. Considering it's 41 years old, I'm impressed with the build quality. The large black cube bottom center is the stepped volume control.

Nikko-Beta-III-1.jpg


For comparison, here's the Schiit Sys PCB:

sys_board.jpg


Notice the difference in the volume pot? I've used those cheap stereo volume pots before and at low listening levels, they can have audible channel imbalance. Not sure if the Schiit Sys suffers from this malady, but I'd like to avoid it.

Recapping the Beta would be a piece of cake. Only 14 electrolytics and both top and bottom covers easily removable, making access easy.
 
Maybe a used Schiit Saga S? It was recently discontinued for some reason, but I've seen them pop up. I believe it is switchable between active and passive operation.
 
No doubt about it, Betas, on the whole, are nice pieces.
Lots of flexibility, great mosfet based sound.
On some models it's relatively easy to bypass the tone controls.

Never owned the III, but as I recall the II used an excellent Noble pot.
Looks like the same piece in the III.

I used my Beta II in my main system, or as first choice of backup, for almost 20 years.
Only reason I don't use it now, is I've since switched to tube preamps.
But I did get it serviced a few years ago.
I guess you could say it's still on backup duty.

Making a passive isn't complicated, but the parts quality does count.
If I were in the market to buy one, I'd be looking hard at one of these.
https://khozmo.com/stereo_selector.html
 
Thanks for all of the responses. My situation has changed a little since my original post. I mentioned I have been dipping my toe into stand alone phono stages. Well, last week, I got a real game changer - a great deal on a slightly used Parasound JC3 Jr. This phono stage is the single biggest improvement I have ever made to my system.

For now, I plan to keep the Nikko Beta III. It sounds great, but given that it's 41 years old, I will go ahead and recap it as a preventative measure. With only 14 electrolytic caps, it shouldn't cost much or take long.

For my next upgrade, I am looking for a different power amp. I have my eyes out for a Parasound A23 or a Bryston 3B ST. For now, here's what I am running:

Table 1: Harman Kardon T60 with Signet TK10ML into Parasound JC3 Jr
Table 2: Denon DP-37F with Pickering XV15 625E into DIY CNC Phono Stage

Both feeding into the Nikko Beta III preamp with a Marantz Model 140 Power Amp (love the blue meters) driving a pair of restored BL 4301B Control Monitors.

I have several additional cartridges and other speakers, but that's what I'm running right now.

Nothing really wrong with the little Marantz, but I think it's the most likely target for my next upgrade.
 
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This put a Schitt Sys permanently on the shelf .. SMD Dact pot ..
Truly excellent.sound.. quality connectors.. two outputs for a surprisingly low price ( $129 ) .. ..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Passive-Pr...-Grade-SMD-DACT-type-Attenuator-/192132688811

I sound like an advertisement .. but it's a good piece... extension and clarity that a Sys will never approach.
I still haven't found a use for the Sys .. one day ..
Spend your money on the phono stages ..
 
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Never mind .. just read the rest of the thread ..
Provided that an amp will work with a passive, IMHO a passive pot with separate phono stages is the best, most flexible way to go ..
Depends on the amp though .. I gave up trying to get this Aragon to cooperate with a passive pot .. I just went back to an active pre ..
The other amps cooperate though ..
 
You seem to have a good amp with the 140 and 4301's. Well matched power for them. I use an Adcom 2535 for my 4301s, similar power and they are great sounding. I also run my L19s with a Marantz 2238b very nice, good matches in both systems.
 
I was hoping that I was going to read about someone's first attempts at DJ mixing! That's something that I've often thought about. I like the idea of it certainly, but can't see buying the gear 9and records; ultimately you'd want two of a lot of titles), dedicating the space, much less bothering to learn a whole new skill. I could after all be spending the same time and energy working on other stuff that I don't put in enough time to... like the drum set the bass and the djembe...
 
MCM_Fan said:
For my next upgrade, I am looking for a different power amp. I have my eyes out for a Parasound A23 or a Bryston 3B ST.
Click to expand...

Old thread, but a brief update. When a Brystom 4B SST showed up at a local dealer a couple months ago at an agreeable price, I pounced. Loving it. This is an end game amp for me. Tremendous build quality and more power than I'll ever likely need.

Bryston-4-B-SST-17-inch-Faceplate-1.jpg

Bryston-4-B-SST-17-inch-Faceplate-2.jpg

Bryston-4-B-SST-17-inch-Faceplate-3.jpg
 
Very nice Bryston.
I have a Bryston BP20 preamp with 3B NRB power amp, circa 1995, driving Maggie 1.7i.
I have a remote controlled volume control unit with Bourn potentiometer. In series between preamp and power. Gives me remote the BP20 doesn't have.
 
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