Sn3 phono

Admittedly, this is far enough over my head that I just won’t go there (hence the question, sort of.)

So if I read this correctly, the new NDs work well with the PS in the SN3/XS3, Stagelines?

Like the OP, I’m considering a box-reduction move to a SN3 and adding a P6 with an ND7.

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If you want to spend that kind of money I suggest a Vertere phono 1 or a Graham Slee Accension (tariffs may make it to expensive)

SUTs can be had for reasonable money and are an option if you want to keep the MM phono stage as is but fit an MC. Several options out there Rialto’s are good as are Graham Slee’s offerings. I am not sure how much they would cost in the US though. Project and Ortofon also supply SUTs. They are a pure amplification stage to increase the MC output there will be no RIAA equilisation circuit so a simpler unit than a conventional phono stage.

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Rega ND7s sound just fine going into an SN3 phono stage.

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The correct answer is that any MM-type cartridge works, but I think what you were after is, yes the ND range sounds nice via the XS3 / SN3 :slight_smile: and there may be a technical reason for that.

The complicated part was a recap of previous discussions on the forum to explain the difference. It’s not that there is a problem, but it’s not easy to demo cartridges. And the Naim MM phono stages have always had a design choice of high capacitance. This has only recently been changed to more generally used specs with the Nait 50 and NVC-TT. Cartridges nowadays like less capacitance, via the capacitance you change roll-off points and that may sound nice, or not. And that information can be of use before buying.

What followed was an explanation that not all “MM” cartridges are designed in the same way. So the classic Naim design spec technically affects certain types of cartridge less than the “true MM” types. So the end result with these other cartridges is more predictable, and the true MM type may of course also match and/or sound pleasant, but sometimes it doesn’t. Again, there is no problem, it all works, but you may not like the trial and error then involved for sound.

By the way, the P6 is a nice deck but with a SN3 I would really go to P8 as the sweet spot. Unless you start with the P6 to skip one level to a P10 at a later final stage.

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:+1:

This might not make any sense to anyone but me. I sort of feel like a P6 is the last deck where I’d take a MM cart. Anything more at that price point feels like you’re now in MC territory and all the esoteric stuff that goes along with it. I kind of made up my mind that I was only going to go so far as to complexity and 10/10ths stuff. I can be very satisfied at 90% - more than that and the diminishing returns come much faster to me.

I second @garcon that a P8 with ND7 is totally nice in a SN3, the P6 can leave you wanting.

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I have previously used the SN3 phono input with a Vertere DG 1 with an Ortofon Black MM and it was a very nice and engaging sound.

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I shall file that one away, thx :+1:

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I have had the ortofon 2M black before and tally liked it.

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Check my system signature :+1:
SN3 Phono great.

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Here are some pictures for context. VPI has a little different philosophy than Rega, the platter is 20 pounds before the trim ring, probably another 5 pounds

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