Handmade Quality and Silky Smooth Tube Sound
Jeff Leaming
I’ve come full circle in the world of phono cartridges. Back in 2005 I decided to get back into the world of vinyl and 2 channel analog audio. As a child and teenager I grew up with vinyl. From spending hours in front of my parent’s mid-century console record player to getting my first direct drive turntable at the age of 17.
Then came the 1980’s. I worked for a national chain record store from 1980 to 1985. I saw our record bins turn into CD bins and I became an early adopter to the world of compact discs. I boxed up my LP collection, bought my first CD player and began years of buying the shiny, silver discs. I went in heavy. I had believed the hype.
Fast forward to 2005. Vinyl records and turntables were seeing a resurgence. My wife and I were living in Charlotte, NC and there was a couple in our neighborhood that we had become close to. One summer night we had gone to our friend’s home for one of our regular cookouts and evening of libations and lively banter. My friend Scott said, “Jeff, you have to come upstairs and see my turntable!” The stylus dropped softly to the vinyl with that familiar sound that I hadn’t heard in years. As Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” played through his large and somewhat dated Advent speakers a feeling of pure joy came over me. Why had I given up on this format? I was hearing things I simply did not hear on my “Wish You Were Here” CD. And of course I picked up the jacket of the LP and stared at for several minutes. I scoured the liner notes. I hadn’t done this in years either. The little CD inserts were very rarely perused. I didn’t feel like getting out a magnifying glass to look at the art or attempt to read the lyrics.
It was that evening in which I decided to buy first turntable and phono cartridge since the late 1970’s. There my journey began switching from a home theater/surround sound setup to the type of two channel system I had in my teens. I began with a used Technics SL-1200MK2, used Pioneer receiver and very inexpensive phono preamp. I started off with moving magnet cartridges. Then my journey hit warp speed and my money started disappearing.
After a slew of different moving magnet cartridges I decided to take the plunge and go moving coil. During a span of about 5-7 years I bought 3 different phono preamps and probably a dozen different moving coil cartridges. 2017 came and I had now come full circle. I’m back to moving magnet cartridges and will more than likely stay with them. Why? To save money on cartridges and preamps because I’ve found I’m very satisfied and actually prefer the sound of a good moving magnet cartridge.
2018. Enter the Aric Audio Transcend MM Phono Preamp
Currently, I own and use a Schiit Mani preamp and for $129 it is a steal. An incredible little preamp. But lately I’ve been longing for that tube sound. It’s been several years since I ran a Jolida JD9II tube phono stage and I’ve found myself itching to get back in to tube nirvana. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to audition the Aric Audio Transcend Moving Magnet phono stage for my YouTube channel. I’ve been running this beautiful piece of equipment for a couple of weeks now and the sound has been silky, warm and downright luscious. I’ve played more vinyl the past couple weeks than I’ve played in quite some time. After hours of exhilarating listening, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Aric Audio Transcend will be my next preamp.
It suits my needs. Moving magnet cartridges will all I will be using for the foreseeable future and as I said earlier, I’ve been wanting to get back to a tube phono stage. I wanted something that would last for several years and the build of the Transcend is something to marvel. I’ve been alternating between NOS Mullard 12AX7 and Tung Sol Gold. The Mullard tubes have been occupying the two 12AX7 seats for the past several days. The transcend delivers a syrupy smooth, 3D-like experience. The detail is amazing without giving up anything on the lower end. The bass is quite a joy to hear and feel! Getz, Davis, Coltrane and Brubeck from my jazz collection have graced my turntable as well as a wide variety of many different genres. Some examples are Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Nitzer Ebb, Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, Emmylou Harris and AC/DC. Everything I’ve thrown at the Transcend has been returned to me in a wide, holographic-like sound that I just want to keep hearing.
If you prefer moving magnet cartridges and are considering a tube preamp, the Aric Transcend most definitely deserves your consideration. If you decide on the Transcend be prepared to feel like you just don’t have enough time to listen your favorite albums.
The Aric Audio Transcend Tubed Phono Preamp: $795
Jeff Leaming is the creator of the fabulous Vinyl Room YouTube channel. We are fortunate that Jeff has agreed to be a regular contributor here at Fair Hedon. He has decades of experience with gear and is especially passionate about vinyl playback.