Tír Na HiFi

Evening.

I'm mulling over a new amp in the sitting room, because now that we're listening more in here I think the Sonus Fabers could do with more grunt. I'm currently using the Copland for everything, including its built-in phono stage, and that adds an extra wrinkle if I want to replace it. I don't want to limit my options to amps with built in phono, but I don't necessarily want to have to buy a separate phono stage right now either.

In the meantime, my Audio Innovations Series 500 is sitting there minding its own business, and the phono stage in that is meant to be quite good. Can I connect the TT to the phono input there and use the Tape Out on the AI to connect to a new line stage if I get one? I can't think of a reason why not, although it may not be the most transparent solution in the world.

Any thoughts?

I take it you've used the series 500 with the sonus fabers? Valve watts and all that.....

I have indeed Fran, that was the setup for many years and it was *pretty* good, but tbh they're not really a great match. That AI can wander into thinness if overstretched, and I've always found that SFs do well with quite a lot of power. I'm quite tempted by a return to a beefier valve option, though...

The Copland is actually a very nice sounding amp, and I'm not sure it will be easily replaced. Actually, I should probably do nothing at all, but I've got the urge again. Must be January.

The short answer (which I neglected to add yesterday!) is that yes, it should work.

I would say you are at a break point here - you've got the draw of vinyl, and now are butting up against whether you need a separate phonostage or not. Some of that is down to whether you might go to an MC cartridge sometime, and want to be able to change loading etc. Could an external phonostage bring an improvement? Its easier to change a phonostage than it is to change a phonostage thats built into an amp......

I've always thought the audio analogue amps seemed to have nice phonostages, but I believe the new Rega ones are excellent too. Its a nice problem to have!!

You're right there, on all counts. We have 60+ albums on vinyl already I'd say, so we've certainly embraced it.

I'll be asking about record cleaners next. It's all dough, eh?

Its time for this.....