It’s just a case of connecting the Rega Fono to one of the XS3’s Din sockets. Then you can connect the deck either to the Fono or to the XS3’s internal Fono stage. The best one is the one that you prefer. There is no right answer.
That’s really interesting on the Graham Slee. I’ve heard great things about them and was certainly curious about giving one a try at some point
I’ve run a XS3 for 6 months or so now, a lot of time with a Stageline N, and more recently with the inbuilt stage. I like them both, couldn’t really say which I prefer. As you have the Rega phono stage already @Griot there’s no harm in giving them both a very good audition before deciding. Have fun choosing 
2 Likes
All, thank you for your responses. I should be up and running tomorrow, and will let you know my thoughts. Will be interested to see how the xs3 gets more out of the Rega, either way.
1 Like
The AT has a recommended load capacitance of 100 - 200 pF, the xs3 has an input capacitance of 470pF. Cables will easily add another 100pF, so it looks like the XS3 isn’t a good match. You’ll likely experience rolled off highs with a boost just before.
The rega’s input capacitance is specified as 100pF so much better suited.
1 Like
I ran a Rega Aethos for a while , so it needed a phono stage. Prior to that it was a Naim Stageline for my Clearaudio Emotion . This is a nice turntable, a little above the Concept and on a par with a Rega P8 - when fitted with a good cartridge
First the dealer suggested a Rega Fono, that didn’t last long, next up was a Pro-ject tube
*Excuse the flashing lights
I was rather underwhelmed by it - I felt it was trying to hard to cover all bases i.e MC and MM , I think if it had just been MM it would have been a much better product
Then came the Graham Slee Reflex and super duper power source. It was only then I felt I was back or above the Naim Stageline
1 Like
Hi n-lot thanks for this information. I know little about capacitance but having done some basic research, could you tell me why it matters and should I also get a stylus that matches the x3 phono for a true comparison. Also could you explain roll-off. Many thanks in anticipation.
…Is there some confusion between capacitance and resistance loadings here?
This is an example of what happens with different capacitance. You see that the treble gets boosted and then quickly rolls off (i.e. the level decreases compared to other frequencies).
If you google “Hagtech loading” you’ll find a page with a nice calculator that will show this (approx.) where this will happen for a cart with a certain capacitance. AT luckily lists all required specs for their carts. Please note that the capacitance your cart “sees” includes the cabling as well. Likely 20-30pF for the tonarm cables, and another 60-70 or more for the actual phono cable. So say another 100pF on top of your phono stages spec.
To compare phono stages it would make more sense to get some high capacitance cabling to use with the Rega and keep using the same cart. That will also allow you to experiment with the audible difference for you between high and low capacitance. If you then prefer the XS3 you can see if you can find a cart that’s more suitable for the high input capacitance. If you prefer the Rega keep using the cart you have.
No, it’s an MM cart. Resistance for MM is standardised at 47k, I don’t know of a single phono stage that even allows configuring that.
1 Like
…in any case, I do find that Naim MC phono stage loading values do not seem to make sense to me…unless there is another resistive load running in parallel?
The Naim MC resistive loads on the Stageline and the NA323 and NA523 Phono cards came about through extensive listening tests and were optimised for the most commonly used cartridges at the time; S at 470ohms was optimum for Supex, Linn Asak and also subsequently for Dynavector, K at 560ohms was optimum for Linn Karma and Troika.
The Superline has interchangeable plugs and so can of course have any load you care to use as well as any additional capacitance should you feel the need.
…thanks for this Richard…the thing is, though, that I read here of these seemingly high figures being used with more contemporary MCs, this being why I thought that there must be something running in parallel.
These loads work well with a number of more contemporary cartridges as well - the S type is a particularly favourite with Dynavectors of all kinds, as just one example of many*. Only real issue is where you have a cart that needs to be loaded to 100 ohms or less, but even here it shouldn’t take much for your dealer or someone like Darran at Class A to swap in some appropriate resistors.
*there is of course more to the difference between the S and K than just the small difference in loading; the S rolls off earlier and steeper in the HF which suits some carts better.
…I guess that if it sounds right, it is right! My previous DV XX-2Mk ii was always a mystery to me, internal impedence 6 Ohms but seemingly needing much more loading than you would have thought.
My Apheta 3 works best at 100, sounding not right at 200 and totally wrong at 400 on the Aura. Ears are best!
Indeed they are!
fwiw - nice post, and interesting article on Hagtech loading, going to read that through a few times!
1 Like
Whilst not exactly the same I have a SN3 and a Rega Aria phono stage, I’ve tried both direct into the SN3 and how I run it normally, via the Rega. I’m not sure there actually is a winner, the SN3 phono stage has a certain something about it, maybe edges things for sharp edge timing, the Rega for a more fulsome sound, but its real narrow margins, particularly as I have an Exact on the end of a RP6.
Short version, doubt you’ll be disappointed with the native phono performance of the XS3.
1 Like
Many thanks n-lot. I think I have got my head round this now, and I am up and running !
Non of the stages discussed will be outright better than the onboard stage in the xs3. The at95 is a decent cart and will match will with the slightly darker sound of Naim phono boards (compared to Rega). I would save your money if it was my call and sti k with the XS3 stage and spend the rest on records….
For what it’s worth I have a P8 with an aria but was very happy with a stageline for many years… and I ran an at95 with my old Linn Basik straight into a Nait 3r and it sounded great…
2 Likes
Thank you all for your contributions. I have now been up and running for about a week and have to say it is an extremely close call, with the Rega phono stage just edging it. The Rega phono sounds just a bit more detailed and fuller. I have also decided to stick with the AT95SH, as it now sounds even better. However, in truth I would be extremely satisfied with the XS3 phono stage and if I didn’t have the Rega phono already I wouldn’t go out and buy one, as the difference is not significant enough, albeit does sound better. Mrs Griot even did a blind test for me on some of her favourite tracks and 5/5 times, she also preferred the Rega. Rather satisfyingly, she said, to quote “ we are being shortchanged by streaming!” However, to be fair I don’t have a streamer to connect to the naim yet ( maybe the next purchase? ) So she is not really comparing apples with apples. As an aside , I am surprised at how much of a difference there is between the 5si and the XS3 I was very happy with the 5si but I think the xs 3 is significantly better and I am already beginning to wonder how i can get an even better sound, but perhaps that is for another thread. Now back to wrapping myself in the gorgeous sound of John Coltrane’s My Favourite Things and it sounds so good even Mrs Griot s nodding her head in rhythm!
6 Likes
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.