A new phono preamp

[frenchmon]

Dagg JM!! I am now listing to an album that I have played more so than many and its a little more worn with a few more ticks in the background and the Grado has removed them or covered them up, while at the same time making it all swing much better than before. This is one of my favorite Jazz albums...Paul Desmond "Glad to Be Unhappy" Its a little emotional album, and if you know anything about Paul Desmond, He is a very impassioned sax player. The Grado is nice with its rendition of music. It has a personality that goes well with Jazz and perhaps classical. It sorta reminds me of how Marantz Reference does music. Its not for those who rock 100% of the time I believe, but with its grace and eloquent presentation of warmth...body and soul, while still swinging is perfect for Jazz in my opinion. But I have yet to pull any hard rock out on vinyl. I don't think I have any...the closest is the Allman Brothers Band " At the Fillmore East"...I may have to dig that one out to see how the Grado presents it..

[JohnMichael]

My greatest reduction of surface noise came from using a lowered counterweight. The Moon 110LP did not seem to reduce surface noise but electronic hash you hear with budget electronics. The noise is more noticeable by it's absence. Once the 110LP was in the system the music was purer and silkier but not colored. The Welborne Lab PSU upgrade opened up the frequency extremes and the highs were more extended and transparent. Since the highs are more open and airy you can hear the surface noise more but it is more obviously noise and the music is more separate and distinct then before. It is very easy to ignore the surface noise. I do not want to give the impression that the 110LP/PSU increased the noise they only increased frequency extension and openness. I am also talking about low levels of surface noise unlike before when I was using the stock counter weight.