Quad 99 CDP, Pioneer SC-LX86 phono stage opinions

[SonicHedgeHog]

My stereo equipment is getting on a bit now but still sounds good. I’d like to get a turntable for Christmas but need to know if the phono stage on either my Quad 99 CDP or (less likely) my Pioneer LX86 surround amp is any good. Can anyone advise accordingly?

For info, I’d be looking for a turntable in the £200-400 range so that gives you an idea as to the quality of phono stage I’d need.

Thanks

[Crackie]

One of these should do the job. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobsound-Vacuum-Preamplif...

[SonicHedgeHog]

Have you heard it in action? Looks very nice. Everyone loves valves.

[tonyg58]

If you're buying a turntable in that price range (Rega Planar 1 say), the phono stage in your Pioneer amp will be good enough.
Don't know enough about the phono stage in the quad to advise.

[Nickgnome]

You may want to consider a second hand turntable and arm. There are plenty available via numerous used hi fi sites and eBay of course.

If you stick to Moving Magnet cartridges you probably won’t need a phono stage and I believe there are now a couple of high output moving coils.

[TonyRPH]

Nickgnome said:

You may want to consider a second hand turntable and arm. There are plenty available via numerous used hi fi sites and eBay of course.

If you stick to Moving Magnet cartridges you probably won’t need a phono stage and I believe there are now a couple of high output moving coils.

A phono stage is always required, as it provides frequency compensation (otherwise known as the 'RIAA curve').

Without said compensation, the sound is just awful.

Of course, you may well be referring to turntables with a built in phonoe stage...

High output moving coil cartridges have been around for many years.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Found a review which said the Quad is pretty good. Certainly it’ll be good enough to play a few toons on Christmas Day. If it turns out to be worse than expected I’ll take a look at that nice little valve amp. Cheers

[Nickgnome]

TonyRPH said:

Nickgnome said:

You may want to consider a second hand turntable and arm. There are plenty available via numerous used hi fi sites and eBay of course.

If you stick to Moving Magnet cartridges you probably won’t need a phono stage and I believe there are now a couple of high output moving coils.

A phono stage is always required, as it provides frequency compensation (otherwise known as the 'RIAA curve').

Without said compensation, the sound is just awful.

Of course, you may well be referring to turntables with a built in phonoe stage...

High output moving coil cartridges have been around for many years.

Surely it up to the OP to decide if the sound suits or not. I had a Lecson AC1 with no separate phono other than the inbuilt one. I think the Quad is not dissimilar.

If the OP laves some budget available just in case that should be fine.

I’d still go the SH route.

[TonyRPH]

Nickgnome said:

Surely it up to the OP to decide if the sound suits or not. I had a Lecson AC1 with no separate phono other than the inbuilt one. I think the Quad is not dissimilar.

If the OP laves some budget available just in case that should be fine.

I’d still go the SH route.

@Nick

You said: "If you stick to Moving Magnet cartridges you probably won’t need a phono stage"

I just pointed out that to use a cartridge of any kind, whether MM or MC, you still need a phono stage for RIAA equalization!

RIAA equalization is a requirement for vinyl playback - it's not optional, and any phono stage has it, whether inbuilt or external.

RIAA equalization

[Nickgnome]

TonyRPH said:

Nickgnome said:

Surely it up to the OP to decide if the sound suits or not. I had a Lecson AC1 with no separate phono other than the inbuilt one. I think the Quad is not dissimilar.

If the OP laves some budget available just in case that should be fine.

I’d still go the SH route.

@Nick

You said: "If you stick to Moving Magnet cartridges you probably won’t need a phono stage"

I just pointed out that to use a cartridge of any kind, whether MM or MC, you still need a phono stage for RIAA equalization!

RIAA equalization is a requirement for vinyl playback - it's not optional, and any phono stage has it, whether inbuilt or external.

RIAA equalization

Apologies. I am not in any way an electronics engineer, however, if the phono stage is inbuilt in the preamp as it was in my Lecson surely he will not need another one? That is all I was trying to say.

[TonyRPH]

Nickgnome said:

Apologies. I am not in any way an electronics engineer, however, if the phono stage is inbuilt in the preamp as it was in my Lecson surely he will not need another one? That is all I was trying to say.

No worries

Yes, you are correct in saying that if he has an inbuilt phono stage an external one will not be required.

He'll only want an external one if something better than the inbuilt stage can provide is required.

Apologies for the misunderstanding.