System edited: Nuforce P9 and Reference 9 V2 has gone, and have been replaced by Aloia amp and preamp. It's hard to say if it is better or worse, it is simply different. By the way, I have loved Nuforce and now I am strongly surprised by Aloia's amp and preamp, that are really good sounding (and more good looking than Nuforce).
Edigio, in combination with a transformer, I would probably suggest looking into a tube phono stage. I think, the K&K or Art Audio Vinyl Reference would be interesting to look at. One of the biggest jumps in my system was the phono stage/cartridge combination, that really allowed the DPS turntable to shine.
I guess you are in Milano? Allen Wright in Switzerland isn't too far away. Maybe he will sent you a JLTI to try out for 30 days...
Hi Edigio, glad to discover a fellow Milanese on Agon. I love the Nuforse amps. . . may I ask what power cords you have found work best with them? I have used them only with Cardas Golden Ref, as this is the only PC type of which I own a pair. Saluti, Guido
I'm pretty sure that in the future my M.S. Phonomena will be replaced by a better performing phono preamp. And I am very curious to listen to JLTI phono stage. But it seems very difficult to find one to test, here in Italy.
Regarding the cartrige, I like so much your Lyra Argo, but in my setup - with Ikeda IT-345 arm - Fidelity Research FR-7F cartrige and FR XF-1 L transformer makes a great combination.
Edigio, if you like Allen Wright's sound, I would urge you to try the Vacuumstate JLTI phono preamp. It has a very fast detailed sound. Its soundstage width, layering and separation between instruments is top class and beats pretty much every other phono I heard so far.
Also, the Lyra Argo (i) that Willi of DPS recommended works wonders with my DPS/JLTI: Fast with incredible amounts of detail and dynamics. After running different incarnations of the Denon DL103 for the last 10 years, the Lyra Argo was the first one that really felt like a step-up and like a breeze of fresh air.
System edited: Pioneer PD-D9 has been replaced by Sony Scd-1 that will be modified with A. Wright di Vacuum State kit. And I have finally found the right step-up for my FR cartrige, a Fidelity Research XF-1 L transformer. Really a fantastich match.
i think that P9 is a very fine preamp, and - most important - is it born to be matched with Nuforce mono amps (basically it has got the same chassis of Ref 9 series).
I can't see any big weakness, even if I don't like so much the volume control system.
In my system it is very neutral and well balanced; micro and macro dynamic is great (and I use to listen at low levels, so the job is more difficult). And there is also an excellent detail level, but without listening fatigue.
You have great gears and seemingly synergistic match. What do you think of the performance of the Nuforce P9 pre? Is it worth the price? What is its greatest strength and weakness if any? Not too many own this unit and I am curious what a real owner would think.
System edited: Emm Labs Dcc2 + cdsd amd Nuforce Ref 9 SE have gone. New entry: Nuforce Ref. 9 SE V2 and P9 that have really impressed me, and the new 2 channel sacd player from Pioneer PD-D9.
Yes, I love my DPS turntable, and Ikeda arm matches very well with FR-7f and DL-103. Tracking is very impressive, playing an LP test vinyl like hfnrr test it is ok even with most difficult tracks.
The problem is with oputput level of Fidelity Research cartrige that is very low and the phono stage set up at maximum gain is not a definitive solution. Is sounds good but I think I'm loosing a lot of dynamics. And so I think I could buy a step-up transformer, one could be by Fidelity Research, the other one i like very much is Uesugi Bros 5. So your suggestion for a different phono stage like Allen Wright ones could be really interesting too, I will investigate :-)
Edigio, very nice system as well - of course I really like the turntable, as you might guess. Interesting choice of arm - I am sure the Ikeda mates really well with the Denon DL103 and the Fidelity Research cartridge.
Very interesting combination and matching of components. Since you are in Europe you could consider one of Allen Wright's phonostage designs. He builds a very nice full function phono whcih is fairly affordable as a kit (from Switzerland).
Where in Italy do you live? I spent 3 weeks last summer in Trento visiting the Bolzano Jazz festival and working at the University in Trento. Also visited friends in Rome at the time as well. I absolute love coming down to Italy every time I am in Europe.
Hi Alexsee! I think it is a very good match between Mingus III and Nuforce Ref 9 SE. Yes, I love Nuforce amps. Before Ref.9 SE I had a Ref 9 that was really good too. And I think I will upgrade to V2 within the end of this year.
Hi Osahead2, thank you. I love 2 way speakers, in my opinion the most coherent system to listen to music. Of course it is not perfect, and compared to bigger system the lower bass range will be reduced (or lost).
