Bit of a long shot but has anyone had a play with or own a Project RS phono stage.  Not too many reviews online, but a fairly positive one by Michael Fremer has me thinking about one as a replacement for my MK3 P75.
I'm due for a replacement cartridge in the next few months and will probably stay with Dynavector, either another DV20XL or move up to a XX2 .  I like the idea of the easy adjustability of the Project  amp but my more cautious side says stay with the P75 if you're going with another Dyna cartridge. 

But Cooks, the Project phono would synergise with your Project TT/Arm combo...
that aside, as we've discussed previously, DV carts and P75 are pretty special together. Remember when I switched from Linn carts to DV/P75 on my (departed) LP12 - a massive improvement.
what was the TT/arm/cart used in the Fremer review of the Project phono?
once your new DV is set-up with your P75, shouldn't need too much adjusting or is a second arm/cartridge being installed on your TT?

"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]

adjustability is over-rated

if you are sticking with a dv cartridge, p75/3 in dr t mode is the way to go without breaking the bank.

Thanks for the tempered advice, I occasionally need some words of wisdom when I get the infrequent urge to upgrade. Most of the time I manage to talk myself out of it. If I'm honest I'll acknowledge that my system is around a satisfactory level for my room and hearing . I have been offered a home trial of the Project phono stage but the money is probably better channeled into the new cartridge and possibly add a good MM cart for a change of pace from time to time.
A forum like this serves a very useful purpose for someone in my position with no one on hand to talk things through.
When I try and run something past my wife her standard reply is 'it's your money, do what you want" which doesn't really help.

Michaelw- have you heard the XX2 and if so consider it a worth while upgrade from the DV20XL? My biggest concern if I go for the XX2 is that the P75 isn't going to get the best from it.

hi,

not heard the xx2 but have heard the original xx vs. dv20x2 low vs. dv17d3.

dv20x2 low ftw.

is that what you have or the original dv20x ?

given how a new xx2 is now $2500 have you considered other cartridges ?

the lyra delos comes to mind at about $2k.

Jan 26, 2017 15:55:09 GMT 12 michaelw said:

hi,

not heard the xx2 but have heard the original xx vs. dv20x2 low vs. dv17d3.

dv20x2 low ftw.

is that what you have or the original dv20x ?

given how a new xx2 is now $2500 have you considered other cartridges ?

the lyra delos comes to mind at about $2k.

running the 2nd version of the dv20xl. Originally had the first version so i'm on my 2nd dv20.
The cost of the XX2 isn't my biggest concern,rather that it's playing in a different league to the rest of my system not to mention any room or hearing problems. there are several things i like about the dv20/dyna reproduction and without the chance of an audition it's a blind leap to go to another manufacturer.

Demo Project Phono Box RS on its way down to me for a play. Very nice to actually be able to trial a unit in my own system. It's an itch that had to be scratched and there's something about the P75 that just doesn't seem to be doing it for me right now. Also made a decision that by June at the latest a Dynavector XX-2 will be mounted on my TT.

Thanks to the Listening Post I've had a good demo run with the Pro-ject Phono RS over this weekend , long enough to convince me that it wont be going back.
I haven't been happy with the Dynavector P75 since I replaced my original version with the later MK3. Something with the amp just hasn't gelled with me or my system. There have been changes in room placement and cables over that time but for whatever reason I've found myself spending less and less time in the music room with my speaker system. When I was there I always seemed to be adjusting speakers, seating, volume to find something that got the sparkle back into the music. I played around with various settings on the P75 for no improvement. I had been interested in the Phono RS for some time but reviews online were hard to find and there's still really only Michael Fremers positive feedback from the pros. There is also an interesting shootout on the Steve Hoffman forums by a member who ended up going with the RS over an E.A.R phono after a 4 way home demo.

Fired the Pro-ject up for the first time on Friday night and for a start it was a sinking feeling of same old same old, not doing it. Getting later in the evening switched to a headphone setup and suddenly there it was , music holding my attention, the little details poking through that had been missed or pushed into the back ground before. Gave everything a good warmup Saturday and gave the speakers another try. What I'd been hoping for was there, compared to the P75 cleaner, clearer highs and a much better, multi dimensional soundstage, especially on the horizontal that escaped the boundaries of the speakers. No more wriggling in my chair trying to find that elusive sweet spot. Instead of spending what had become my norm of an hour or so nearer 5 hours elapsed before shut down.
Just in case it was a spot of new toy syndrome I managed to persuade my wife to venture into the room this afternoon for a shoot out between the two amps. She has no interest in the mechanics of music playback, didn't know one amp from the other. After playing through a couple of tracks she was familiar with there was no hesitation with her pronouncing the Pro-ject the clear winner. Basically she found it, as I had, more resolving, cleaner and a more enjoyable listen.
It's nice to be falling in love with my music again and I'm now very impatient to find out how much better it could get once I add a new cartridge(June).

On the down side I can see me chasing up the battery pack to the RS stage before the year's out.

Good to hear that the 'magic' & fun is back cooksferry

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