Exploring Vinyl Through Listening (in DXD) and Measurement at Ana Mighty Sound (Phasemation PP-2000, EA-2000, PP-220, EA-220, T-550, T-320... )

[Jean.Francois]

Hello,

today, I’m taking you to the temple of vinyl record listening with François Saint-Gérant of Ana Mighty Sound. François offers a range of high-end and ultra-high-end turntables, as well as all the equipment needed to fully exploit their capabilities, including cartridges, preamps, and reproduction systems, amplifiers, and speakers.

So I propose a different experience: rather than simply commenting on the listening experience, I will share with you recordings in DXD 24 bits 384 kHz made in various dream configurations, in order to give you as accurate an idea as possible of the exceptional performance of this equipment.

But when it comes to getting the most out of high-end equipment, you can go much further in terms of precision and finesse of adjustment. This is where the AnalogMagik V2 test disc and, above all, the software provided come in, allowing you to make extremely precise adjustments using dedicated measurements.

Once these adjustments have been made, we obtain the following result: a difference of only 0.08 dB between the two channels in crosstalk, and distortion reduced to just over 3.2%.

Here are the four configurations that were tested:
The first turntable and phono stage configuration consists of:

• An AMG Giro MKII G9 turntable
• A Phasemation PP-200 cartridge
• A Phasemation EA-220 RIAA phono stage, used in three distinct setups:
  • Configuration 1: phono stage MC input
  • Configuration 2: phono stage MM input combined with a Phasemation T-320 step-up transformer
  • Configuration 3: phono stage MM input combined with a Phasemation T-550 step-up transformer

Using step-up transformers allows bypassing the built-in electronic pre-preamp of the EA-220, providing a unique sonic character shaped by the specific windings of each transformer.

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The second turntable and phono stage configuration consists of:

• A CSPort Analog Turntable TAT1
• A Phasemation PP-2000 cartridge
• A Phasemation EA-2000 RIAA phono stage, composed of six separate elements (Configuration 4):
  • EA-2000T: MC step-up transformer specially optimized from the T-2000 model
  • EA-2000EQ: newly designed vacuum tube LCR equalizer, featuring custom-made coils and other high-grade audio components
  • EA-2000PS: power supply derived from the EA-1000, providing cleaner, more robust power with enhanced noise suppression

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Finally, the listening session at Ana Mighty Sound was carried out on the following system:

• DarTZeel Int LHC-208 Mk2 integrated amplifier
• Stenheim Alumine Five SE loudspeakers

Comparison spectrum between Configuration 1 (PP-200 & EA-220) and Configuration 4 (PP-2000 & EA-2000)

As you can hear (here), each system has its own character. Configuration 4 (PP-2000 & EA-2000) offers greater openness and clarity, while Configurations 2 and 3 highlight the unique characteristics of each transformer. Ultimately, the preferred sound signature comes down to personal taste.

To experience the rendering of the different configurations for yourself, you can listen to the samples of each setup in DXD format and find the measurements here.

I hope this approach has allowed you to compare these high-end configurations, which one rarely has the opportunity to listen to.


Enjoy listening,

Jean-François

 

[mike70]

I think it will be very valuable to have the same experience with a more "standard" and decent turntable and cartridge... I mean, maybe a Technics 1200GR and some of the AT vm700s MM.

You have the opportunity to state / shows the difference to us.

 

[Jean.Francois]

I think it will be very valuable to have the same experience with a more "standard" and decent turntable and cartridge... I mean, maybe a Technics 1200GR and some of the AT vm700s MM.

You have the opportunity to state / shows the difference to us.

I did indeed present high-end equipment, as it is not always easy to have the opportunity to test it.
However, I do take your request into account, and it is also planned to do the same kind of presentation with cartridges such as the DL103, the 2M Blue, or the AT33 APTG2, as I did a few years ago on another blog: httmv.blogspot.com

 

[Balle Clorin]

About the blog spot link.. Which record is the bandwidth test and square wave test from ?
Some 100hz and lower noise breakthrough in some plot?

 

[Balle Clorin]

I compared the music samples Left channel in REW and got this, Difference vs 200 system config 1.
SUT 320 and 550 seem very similar in response, small SUT rise at 60kHz, while , the top 2000 system config 4 has not the same peak, but some less presence level (-2.5db which should be audible) and a peculiarity at 10hz, high Q tangential arm resonance?

Audibly system 4 is softer more laid back, possibly an impression since both peak and average level is 0.5-1 db lower the the others...

 

[Jean.Francois]

About the blog spot link.. Which record is the bandwidth test and square wave test from ?
Some 100hz and lower noise breakthrough in some plot?

The test record used is the Elipson Ultimate Technical Record. Regarding the rise in the low-frequency range, a peak can be observed around 10 Hz, which corresponds to the cartridge/tonearm resonance.

 

[Balle Clorin]

did indeed present high-end equipment, as it is not always easy to have the opportunity to test it.
However, I do take your request into account, and it is also planned to do the same kind of presentation with cartridges such as the DL103, the 2M Blue, or the AT33 APTG2, as I did a few years ago on another blog: httmv.blogspot.com

Nice work , I used REW some years ago including the same Elipson record, white noise track in orange, this is with my AudioTechnica OC9MLii on Michell Gyro SE with SME V , Parks Audio Puffin RIAA

 

[Erogen]

I compared the music samples Left channel in REW and got this, Difference vs 200 system config 1.
SUT 320 and 550 seem very similar in response, small SUT rise at 60kHz, while , the top 2000 system config 4 has not the same peak, but some less presence level (-2.5db which should be audible) and a peculiarity at 10hz, high Q tangential arm resonance?

Audibly system 4 is softer more laid back, possibly an impression since both peak and average level is 0.5-1 db lower the the others...

View attachment 516425

The level of unwanted resonance in the range up to 20 Hz, here with a peak at 10 Hz, is very high relative to the rest of the frequency range. This is a very poor hardware configuration.