Introduction
This is actually a review of a old phono preamp that I bought off eBay for about $40 and put into use after replacing the electrolytics. The problem with this review is that it includes a short story (that you can skip!).
Short Story
I confess that I'm human. I know, I know - I need to join one of those groups where you sit in a big circle and confess it to everyone else, but I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment. Anyway, due to my problem I gave into the vinyl thing a few years ago. Briefly. For about a week. I'm so embarrassed.
What genuinely amazed me was how good a record player could sound with a good recording after only 2 months of study, spending about a grand, and a couple of dozen measurements to make it work as well as possible. The stuff: Denon DP-300F, Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, NAD PP 2 phono preamp, and a few dozen supporting actors that don't scroll in the credits.
This included
1. Adjust Stylus headshell overhang and alignment
2. VTF Vertical Tracking Force (gauge is best)
3. VTA Vertical Tracking Angle (flat tonearm when in groove)
4. Azimuth (headshell twist results in L/R bias)
5. Anti Skate (set to same quantity as VTF)
6. Level and vibration free surface for turntable
Using
1. VTF gauge
2. Turntable protractor
3. Bubble level
4. Test records
5. Disc cleaning tools
6. Oh yeah, I do have (1) record with music instead of test signals on it
All with the glorious promise of continual maintenance, cleaning, adjusting, and replacing expensive stuff that wears quickly. I certainly understand the attraction this playback format has engendered recently. : )
Review
NAD still offers a PP 2"e" phono preamp that appears to be the same thing as the discontinued PP 2 shown in these measurements. Amir's PP 4 review demonstrated that the company can update the design in the same form factor, at a higher price and increased feature set, while significantly degrading its performance. Shame on them. Assuming the currently available PP 2e is the same design as the original PP 2, I highly recommend it at its approx. $170 street price. It beats the pants off the $2,500 item that Amir measured a few days ago. Caveat emptor.
A ground wire was attached between the PP 2 and Analyzer for all measurements. It reduced the power supply noise slightly.
Internal OEM
Internal Recapped
Moving Magnet Dashboard (5.0mV Generator Voltage)
Moving Coil Dashboard (0.5mV Generator Voltage)
PP 2 RIAA Corrected THD+N and THD vs. Generator Level at 1kHz
PP 2 RIAA Corrected Max Output vs. THD
PP 2 RIAA Corrected Gain vs. Phase
God bless you and your precious family - Langston
This is actually a review of a old phono preamp that I bought off eBay for about $40 and put into use after replacing the electrolytics. The problem with this review is that it includes a short story (that you can skip!).
Short Story
I confess that I'm human. I know, I know - I need to join one of those groups where you sit in a big circle and confess it to everyone else, but I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment. Anyway, due to my problem I gave into the vinyl thing a few years ago. Briefly. For about a week. I'm so embarrassed.
What genuinely amazed me was how good a record player could sound with a good recording after only 2 months of study, spending about a grand, and a couple of dozen measurements to make it work as well as possible. The stuff: Denon DP-300F, Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, NAD PP 2 phono preamp, and a few dozen supporting actors that don't scroll in the credits.
This included
1. Adjust Stylus headshell overhang and alignment
2. VTF Vertical Tracking Force (gauge is best)
3. VTA Vertical Tracking Angle (flat tonearm when in groove)
4. Azimuth (headshell twist results in L/R bias)
5. Anti Skate (set to same quantity as VTF)
6. Level and vibration free surface for turntable
Using
1. VTF gauge
2. Turntable protractor
3. Bubble level
4. Test records
5. Disc cleaning tools
6. Oh yeah, I do have (1) record with music instead of test signals on it
All with the glorious promise of continual maintenance, cleaning, adjusting, and replacing expensive stuff that wears quickly. I certainly understand the attraction this playback format has engendered recently. : )
Review
NAD still offers a PP 2"e" phono preamp that appears to be the same thing as the discontinued PP 2 shown in these measurements. Amir's PP 4 review demonstrated that the company can update the design in the same form factor, at a higher price and increased feature set, while significantly degrading its performance. Shame on them. Assuming the currently available PP 2e is the same design as the original PP 2, I highly recommend it at its approx. $170 street price. It beats the pants off the $2,500 item that Amir measured a few days ago. Caveat emptor.
A ground wire was attached between the PP 2 and Analyzer for all measurements. It reduced the power supply noise slightly.
Internal OEM
Internal Recapped
Moving Magnet Dashboard (5.0mV Generator Voltage)
Moving Coil Dashboard (0.5mV Generator Voltage)
PP 2 RIAA Corrected THD+N and THD vs. Generator Level at 1kHz
PP 2 RIAA Corrected Max Output vs. THD
PP 2 RIAA Corrected Gain vs. Phase
God bless you and your precious family - Langston
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