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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> CSP3 >> CSP MK I for phono stage
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Message started by CharlesY on 02/15/15 at 22:39:11

Title: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by CharlesY on 02/15/15 at 22:39:11

I have a CSP Mk I which is paired with the CS SE amp and I wonder if the CSP is suitable as a phono preamp.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Lon on 02/15/15 at 23:13:11

The CSP can certainly be used WITH a phono preamp very successfully, but it is not a phono preamp. Phono preamps have a particular circuit that is necessary to apply a specific EQ curver to the signal from the turntable and amplify the very weak signal from the turntable. So you will need a phono preamp as well as the CSP.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by CharlesY on 02/15/15 at 23:30:04

Thanks for the info. Has anyone tried the Decware's phono stage and does it compares to others?

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Lon on 02/15/15 at 23:56:02

The ZP3 is an AMAZING phono preamp. Check out the ZP3 forum here on the site for reviews and info. I haven't had a LOT of phono preamps to compare, have had a B&O receiver with a phono circuit, a Hafler phono preamp, and a PS Audio GCPH. The ZP3 once broken in is a clear winner over all these.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Acetone on 02/17/15 at 00:02:21

I owned a Project tube box s.  The ZP3 is far and away much, much , much better.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by marky on 02/17/15 at 11:23:48

I had the project tube box as well. I knew it had to be upgraded when to put it simply it got way out of it`s pay grade with other components.
Theres a lot of phono amps out there and most of them have  `entry level` ``reference level` `anniversary level` etc models on offer. I wanted a phono that was a stand alone model.
To think I may have bought something else is parallel universe where I, well you`ve seen audio forums where it`s always the flavour of the month merry go round. They all seem to want something that compares to a mythical legend of yesteryear.
The ZP3 is a flagship, an unfettered gateway.
Oh, this is a CSP thread. Well my CSP delivers the ZP3 signal to the amps and onto the speakers. d`oh no surprises there.
What does surprise me is that room treatment is one thing and once you`re comfortable that you can settle back to `see what these babies do` they do do. ( Sorry Lon that H. Wolf is getting to me  :) )
Even after, it must be getting on two years now, I`m just so impressed with the musical reproduction. The 3D holography is spellbinding and stuff happens that the engineer has no control over. I`m talking projection, width, depth, seperation, ambience. Theres no end to it as the amps season. Funny thing is you cant put your finger on one thing thats doing it. The ZP3 must deliver it from the start.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Acetone on 02/17/15 at 16:45:20

Marky, well said.  The ZP3 is very revealing. I replace grado gold cart with a ortofon 2m black. Wow. unbelievable sound improvement. SWEET!

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by hdrider on 03/21/15 at 14:47:16

I replaced an ARC SP-11 pre-amp with phono stage (4999.00 in 1985 dollars) which I kept well maintained by Audio Research with the Decware ZP3 straight into a Rachael amp and the phono stage is FANTASTIC. I have a Shinon Red low output cart into Decware ZMC-1 transformer to the ZP3….I will change cartridges later this year but the phono system is done.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Lon on 03/21/15 at 15:00:37

Syd, no reason to apologize for quoting Howlin' Wolf! Especially if you can do so with that manly gritty voice! ;)

I just ran my ZP3 straight into the Torii Mk III again. I like it both through the CSP2+ and straight in. . . each has their own magic. The punchiness of it straight in was really great on a Stan Getz record I played. With the ZP3 I just forget about digital and vinyl and just get swept up in music.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Syd on 03/21/15 at 15:30:03

That albums blowing me away Lon. Listening to it a couple of nights ago I noticed a quiet kick drum projecting in front of a speaker on the off beat. God knows how many players are on the tracks, if it were one of those old films they`d call it an `énsemble cast`. And of course you`re right about Claptons guitar. I wracked my brains to think of him in a `guest` capacity and I cant remember his guitar sounding so good, tone wise. I`m not big on Clapton, `461 Ocean Boulevard`, his album with the Bluesbreakers and some Cream tracks are exceptions. Great technique but I`m sure he could really add some ingredient X if he put his mind to it. On the London Sessions with H. Wolf he gets it all right.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Lon on 03/21/15 at 15:35:18

I honestly think Clapton was better for some time as a sideman, especially before he became influenced by J. J. Cale. The right leader could inspire and get out of him performances he couldn't muster himself. Wolf was that sort of a leader, and the way Clapton looked up to him probably was a factor as well, and those other heavies from the London scene with him in the studio probably got his competitive juices flowing as well. Plus, that tone! That Howlin' Wolf album is special. Though I like the material before that a lot too. . . Wolf had a certain raw magic.

Title: Re: CSP MK I for phono stage
Post by Syd on 03/21/15 at 22:29:18

I wonder if his voice has something to do with it. Just not inspiring enough to play more expressively, bluesy. He plays all the notes but a bit mechanical. Take that strat away from him and make him play  Gibsons.

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