I’m contemplating upgrading my rega p6 to a rega p10. My P6 has used the MM input on my SN3.
I’m wondering if anyone here has had experience with pairing a Rega turntable with PS Audio Stellar Phono and Naim products (like my SN3/HCDR). Any red flags? I don’t have a dealer who can let me hear all of these together although I can purchase and return the Stellar if unsatisfied.
Thoughts from those who have heard this or similar combos would be most welcome.
No experience, what is your budget? How about the Rega phonostage or a Naim Stageline which can be powered by the Aux on your SN?
I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be a great match with your SN3. PS Audio Stellar series products are excellent and a fantastic value, you are not going to get a lot of enthusiasm here though.
I tried both of these with my RP8 back in the day and they were both oretty good, slightly better soundstage on the rega one. A deck that good deserves a decent phono stage
I actually didn’t know the Naim stage line could be powered via the aux terminal. Naim needs to help explain it better - thought I needed another hicap.
Budget is around $3k CAD for the phono stage.
Was the Rega the Aria or Aura? Aura is out of my price range.
I used an Aria with my P10 on my SN3 and then kept it when I upgraded to 552. Recently moved to an Aura with a Naia. Aria is a great combo with a P10.
It was the aria
No experience of the PS audio phono stage, sorry. I do have the Rega Aria into a NAC72 pre and HiCap. It sounds fab and has plenty of loading options enabling use of a wide range of MC cartridges. I assume you will use a Rega MC with your P10 and that would have good synergy with the Aria. The Aria is fast detailed and dynamic with excellent bass extension. Should be a great pairing with a Supernait.
Yes, likely the Apheta 3
Hi
I have had an almost identical system as you are thinking of. The only difference was I have a P8, had a PS Audio Stellar phono plugged into a Supernait 2 then Supernait 3.
The PS Audio Stellar is a fabulous phono stage, has great flexibility and can be adjusted on the fly via the remote. The one point I read that may be an issue, I didn’t experience it, was that it can suffer from squealing if the cables you use are unshielded. As I say I never experienced it in my system.
I would wholeheartedly recommend your proposed system.
I no longer have that system as I have simplified even further and have a Nait50 and ND5XS2.
I am using a Rega Aria 3 with my SN3 and am very happy with it. It might be easier to audition as well
Hi I have just updated my P8 with the new Rega Nd7 MM Cartridge using my Supernait 3 built in phono. Still running in but having great fun. Could be a cheaper alternative and less equipment.
I’m not familiar with PS Audio, but I’ve just acquired a (used) Whest Two phonostage, replacing a Stageline, and just simply ‘WOW!’
It just raised every aspect of playback to a whole another level, so I’d recommend you take a look at the Whest options before committing. They seem to have a pretty good reputation everywhere I’ve looked. Sutherland is another name that came up often, could be worth a look too.
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
@WolF So how is your P8 with Nd7 sounding now? I’ve gotta admit this is the direction I’m leaning towards into my SN3. Not sure if it’s overkill for my first TT in years but I want it to sounds at least on par with my digital setup
Ended up going P10 + Aria (into SN3 RCA “AV” input)
Hi I am still slowly running in the Nd7 and have only managed to put on about 17 Hrs. However I must say this new MM cartridge has brought everything alive. I only have a Naim Cd5si to play digital music and for me has been the best musical Cd player I have ever owned. I am not very good at writing about hifi or how it sounds so this may be bit of a mess. First up the Nd7 MM Cartridge is fast in that it has brought so much of the mid range into focus that I have been hearing so much more of the musical detail. I put on Van Morrison s beautiful vision LP that has the drummer tapping away on the cymbals like a metronome on nearly every track. I can now hear the slightest change in force when he is repeatedly tapping the cymbals. Also I can hear the wood of the sticks and I’m pretty sure if I were a professional drummer I would be able to tell who the manufacturer of the sticks were, as the sound of the wooden sticks is so noticeable. The bass is so much more deeper than my previous Cartridge VM760SLC. Whilst listening to Dire Straits album Communique 2nd track News, at the end of the track there is a drumming outro that I’ve always been able to hear and feel the skin of the drums being hit. now it’s even more revealing that I got a good sense of the circumference/size of the drums being hit if that makes sense. So early days yet but it has already passed the Wife test as we are both singing along to the Teskey Brothers and instead of a single foot tapping away I’m constantly tapping away with both feet. The Nd7 is more fun & musical than my previous MM Cartridge. And I know it is still early days yet with just a few short hrs on it, but would say this P8 Nd7 Cartridge set up feels like it’s been made purposely for the Supernait 3 and it’s built in phono. I have always been asked by friends when visiting if I can do a comparison from Cd to Vinyl and they are always so surprised how amazing the records sound to Cds. I don’t know if that would be same with a streaming set up. I consider my set up as an entry level HiFi compared to other Naim gear available further up the chain. Good luck. Cheers WolF
