Best under $1K phono stage(s) for DL-103R & Stereomour?

[Downhome Upstate]

Have a pair of Orca's on order. Looking for it all, of course, on the cheap. Microdynamics & great tone. Accuracy (that leading edge that detail freaks love) but not at the expense of musicality. (Hell, I don't even really know how to say this.)

In any event, given the Stereomour's front end, are we talkin' tubes or SS?  Dedicated MC or affordable MM + SUT?  Can I do this for less than $1K and be happy for a year (at least)? Love to hear from folks who have a 103 or 103R with the S-mour and didn't spend crazy money with the in-between electronics.

Thanks!

[Paul Birkeland]

I think you could do pretty well with the Seduction and a step-up transformer.  It looks like Denon has quite a few step up transformers available, and these two will fit well within your budget.

If you shop carefully (IE - get the Denon SUT used, maybe an AU-300LC), you could get an Eros and a step up transformer for right around $1000, which would certainly offer the best long-term performance and more flexibility in terms of how much voltage you get out of your SUT.

-PB

[ssssly]

I have an Eros with an Altec 4722 based SUT that I use for my 103. Sounds great. With the Eros on sale and the price of 4722s you could easily do it for under $1K. Could also try making a Cinemag Blue Transformer SUT. Have been meaning to build one for a while to try it out but haven't gotten around to it. They are supposed to sound really nice as well. 

[grufti]

The Eros special is your very best bet. There are only three available. I have had my Eros since it first became available. It has never come out of my primary system since I finished it, well, except to get worked on some more. There are many good transformers available to bridge the gap [termination and gain] between your Denon 103 and the Eros

[Downhome Upstate]

The Eros special is your very best bet. There are only three available. I have had my Eros since it first became available. It has never come out of my primary system since I finished it, well, except to get worked on some more. There are many good transformers available to bridge the gap [termination and gain] between your Denon 103 and the Eros

Just wondering if the combination of the Eros and the Stereomour might be too 'tubey' with a 'tone' oriented cartridge (i.e., not a detail monster) like the DL-103 or 103R.

[Paul Birkeland]

Just wondering if the combination of the Eros and the Stereomour might be too 'tubey' with a 'tone' oriented cartridge (i.e., not a detail monster) like the DL-103 or 103R.

The overly euphonic "tubey" sound is not a persistent attribute of either kit, IMO, as a consequence of using active loads for the voltage amps.

[Downhome Upstate]

Just wondering if the combination of the Eros and the Stereomour might be too 'tubey' with a 'tone' oriented cartridge (i.e., not a detail monster) like the DL-103 or 103R.

The overly euphonic "tubey" sound is not a persistent attribute of either kit, IMO, as a consequence of using active loads for the voltage amps.

Sounds good (pun intended). I have never heard either unit, and appreciate the info. Maybe when I get my Stereomour built I can find someone in northeast Pennsylvania, north or central Jersey or the greater NYC area who has an Eros they wouldn't mind hooking up to the amp.

[Paul Birkeland]

When you get your Stereomour up and running, you can do a little experiment to acclimate yourself to what the C4S does.  On the green PC board in the center, you can pop off each set of wires going to IA/OA and IA/OB, then temporarily solder a 52K/2W resistor between each pair of wires, then listen.

On amps where the C4S load is an upgrade option, we are often asked why they aren't included from the get go.

[grufti]

The Eros is not tubey.