Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Stage Review (Updated)

[Jkdjedi]

One might also consider the Parks Audio Waxwing; this has very flexible gain and loading. Or the Michael Fidler Pro solutions.

Kinda wishing I just saved up for the Waxwing. Because the Duo does pick up EVERYTHING... including any imperfections like clicks and pops. Quiet record is a quiet experience though. (And it's way cleaner output, compared to the preamp of the Ultra and what's in the turntable) I too am getting some weird humming from the right channel (slight humming, nothing loud) after some use oddly. Never on startup. I ordered some longer RCA cords to move the Duo away from the Wiim Ultra.

Quick question from the newbie here.. the output of the Duo.. regular RCA or turntable style RCA (RCA with the ground wire attached) for the output?

Edit: dam wires were all over each other back there. We organized them and HUM GONE. Go figure.

 

[LTig]

Kinda wishing I just saved up for the Waxwing. Because the Duo does pick up EVERYTHING... including any imperfections like clicks and pops.

This is not the fault of the preamp, it just does its job. Think about replacing your stylus by a microline type.

 

[Jkdjedi]

This is not the fault of the preamp, it just does its job. Think about replacing your stylus by a microline type.

Preamp is great. I think the VM540ML cartridge is great as well. My cables were overlapping each other (tangled mess) the stock RCA cable connectors aren't as taught as I'd like, and the ground was a little loose.

 

[Jkdjedi]

Does the stock settings mess with choices of cartridges? Website says no but then I see users adjusting sliders to their liking for certain cartridges on other Phono Preamps available. For example, the 540ML can be bright on some turntables and by making an adjustment (I half understand this so forgive the laymans terms) fixed. Another one that pertains to me is the Denon DL 110 High Output cartridge. it's at 1.6mV, seems low for a MM phono preamp. My current cartridge is at 5.5mV, How's the Cambridge Duo gonna deal with the 1.6mV of the Denon DL 110?

The main question is, how does the cambridge duo adjust to the diffrent cartridges out there? Am I overthinking it?

 

[Jkdjedi]

I was overthinking it... Can't even tell the difference from 5.5vM to 1.6vM .. amazing tech.

 

[Laika2]

QUESTION: Since this unit is solid state there is no reason I can't stand it on it's size like a book is there. I'm out of room on my second system unless I spend a few hours moving things around for room. On it's side the place is there and a 10 minute rewire. Thanks experts, I did email Cambridge but not a word in weeks.

 

[Doodski]

QUESTION: Since this unit is solid state there is no reason I can't stand it on it's size like a book is there. I'm out of room on my second system unless I spend a few hours moving things around for room. On it's side the place is there and a 10 minute rewire. Thanks experts, I did email Cambridge but not a word in weeks.

Yes, it will be fine oriented on it's side.

 

[Laika2]

Yes, it will be fine oriented on it's side.

Thanks, Thought so but I've been wrong before, about every 10 years expensive nuke a component wrong.

 

[egellings]

Yes, it will be fine oriented on it's side.

So long as convection cooling, if used, is not impaired by sideways positioning, then there would be no problem setting it on its side. Example: there's an air vent on the side. You wouldn't want to block that.

 

[Laika2]

So long as convection cooling, if used, is not impaired by sideways positioning, then there would be no problem setting it on its side. Example: there's an air vent on the side. You wouldn't want to block that.

That was my main concern. I was not going to ask till I saw it has no venting, lower power, never gets hot. You got it, I was worried there might be some sort of hidden venting I could not spot. Seems fully sealed. Thanks,

 

[LTig]

That was my main concern. I was not going to ask till I saw it has no venting, lower power, never gets hot. You got it, I was worried there might be some sort of hidden venting I could not spot. Seems fully sealed. Thanks,

Mine isn't getting hot, so nothing to worry.

 

[Laika2]

Mine isn't getting hot, so nothing to worry.

Thanks. Ordered. Only issue I can think of is cable stress on the RCAs which is easy to avoid

 

[roog]

QUESTION: Since this unit is solid state there is no reason I can't stand it on it's size like a book is there. I'm out of room on my second system unless I spend a few hours moving things around for room. On it's side the place is there and a 10 minute rewire. Thanks experts, I did email Cambridge but not a word in weeks.

I’ve been using mine on its side for years sat on carpet (no room for it in the rack) mine doesn’t have vents and it doesn’t get even remotely warm, it is a phono stage after all :0)