Musical Surrounding Nova III Review (phono stage)

[anmpr1]

To me, the idea of a discrete circuit (not actually sure if this has op amps) with lots of loading options is attractive in a phono stage...

In the mid 1950s designers and manufacturers understood the ergonomics of flexibility--the idea of putting controls where they can be used. Today designers hide them on the back panel, make them so small you can't see them without a magnifying glass, or just leave them out completely!

 

[Icarus]

@Amir why don't you shunt that SMPS on the Nova use something like a iFI groundhog attach it to the barrel of the DC plug I bet that drops the noise. You can also do a DYI version found here https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/37034-smps-and-grounding/ I shunt all my SMPS in my chain typically all my network switches and yes my Benchmark DAC II which has a SMPS. I does make a big difference in noise in my vinyl rig setup that has these phono-preamps that use SMPS's. Amir I'd be very curious if you could shunt that SMPS and report those findings? As for your mains noise at -70dbs that shouldn't be happening I use Graham Slee dedicated MM phono I don't have mains noise did you ground that phono to your analyzer?

 

[Billy Budapest]

To me, the idea of a discrete circuit (not actually sure if this has op amps) with lots of loading options is attractive in a phono stage

What exactly is wrong with opamps?

 

[SIY]

What exactly is wrong with opamps?

Too easy and perform too well.

 

[Billy Budapest]

I’d like to see this tested: Hagerman Bugle 3. Great manufacturer’s specs, 82dBA SNR @5mV.

https://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopi...no-preamps/products/bugle3-phono-preamp-mm-mc

 

[LarryRS]

How does the Nova III sound?

 

[Helicopter]

How does the Nova III sound?

With only 0.25dB variation from RIAA curve in the frequency response, it is transparent in sound signature, though its loading options could change the curve for, and sound of, your cartridge. Amir doesn't normally do listening tests on phono stages.

 

[LarryRS]

That's too bad. Listening to music is generally what I do with my system.

 

[watchnerd]

That's too bad. Listening to music is generally what I do with my system.

I just make vinyl rips, post them here, and have others do my listening tests for me.

 

[SIY]

That's too bad. Listening to music is generally what I do with my system.

That's different than testing a component. I don't drive my car on a dynamometer, but I would rely on that to determine toque and power for when I do drive it.

(apologies in advance to @Frank Dernie for using a car analogy)

 

[Francis Vaughan]

The vagaries of a phono setup make a lot of listening tests of little value. Unless you minimally use the same cartridge, you are not getting the same sound signature no matter what. What Amir tests for pretty much characterises the things you need to know. Accuracy of compensation curve, overload margin, noise floor, and distortion. No modern design should have distortion worth worrying about above the other metrics.
Amir gives us the most important elements. The flowery prose of reviews from the days of steam driven audio are best left behind.

 

[watchnerd]

Unless you minimally use the same cartridge

Even that's no guarantee.

I've driven myself batshit crazy playing with "tails up" vs "tails down" VTA of the same cart after reading some commentary somewhere from some internet rando.

I had a dark "VTA on the fly" period, but I'm out of rehab now.

Spending more on test disks.

And don't get me started on anti-skate.

 

[amirm]

@Amir why don't you shunt that SMPS on the Nova use something like a iFI groundhog attach it to the barrel of the DC plug I bet that drops the noise.

??? I am not here to fix equipment. I just measure them!

 

[Angsty]

SINAD is rather low but that is because of the mains noise that I could not minimize past the level you see:

Musical Surroundings will happily sell a LPS for use with this phono for an additional US$650. It’s a shame that they could not have handled the mains noise issue with the stock PS. Even then, I’m not sure that this LPS alone will solve the problem.

http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/products/musical-surroundings-linear-charging-power-supply-lcps

 

[Ken1951]

The flowery prose of reviews from the days of steam driven audio are best left behind.

This made me laugh out loud. A fabulous turn of phrase!

 

[LarryRS]

The flowery prose of reviews from the days of steam driven audio are best left behind.

This made me laugh out loud. A fabulous turn of phrase!

Can't measure the % humidity, but this site does have its fair share of hot air.

 

[LTig]

The flowery prose of reviews from the days of steam driven audio are best left behind.


Can't measure the % humidity, but this site does have its fair share of hot air.

Hot air is dry.

 

[LarryRS]

So steam is cold? Or it doesn't have air in it?

 

[watchnerd]

So steam is cold? Or it doesn't have air in it?

Water can be steam at very cold temperature if the air pressure is low enough or in a vacuum.

 

[LarryRS]

Yep. The vacuum part makes sense here.