Hi Paul and thanks for a very comprehensive may review. I bought my mk2 version of the Dino/DinoPlus/special lead about 20 years ago and about 7yrs ago I met Graham and told him I'd been using it without any issues, to which he replied - "I hate it when I meet people like you". I know what he means because when you've got a Dino you are cured of up-grade-tist. Well that's been my experience. After chatting to Graham he mentioned I could upgrade my Mk2 to a Mk3 which I did especially as he offered to take Mk2 in part- ex. When I got the Mk3 to be honest I wasn't expecting much of difference because the Mk2 was already very good. I remember asking Graham about the differences between the Mk2 and the Mk3 and he said it was quieter but did he mean. Well to me the spaces between notes was better defined which improves overall listener engagement with the music. It's also such a versatile little phono stage because you can run anything from an AT95 well up to Dynavector XX2 which only outputs a measley 350uV. Definitely 10/10 Groovy from me
I purchased this phono stage to trial a while back, purely based on the written review on your website Paul. I love it! I've also gone down the upgrade path fully and am not disappointed.
Great review, as we have come to expect. I’ve seen reviews of this product before, but never with so much detail. Your ‘patter’ was also packed with nonstop information, chatty style (which I once criticized) redeemed by ‘easy’ detail, that is, easy to listen to. I didn’t miss a moment while getting the clothes out of the dryer and putting them on. Now it is coffee and off to work, thank you for the great start to my day. Edit: Great shots of the interior as well.
Hi Paul, Great review as always. I didn't get the chance to demo the Dino so went for the Lehmann black cube se instead which I am really impressed by. Just wondered how you think they compare.
Hi Paul Forgive me for asking you a question unrelated to this video. You were kind enough to answer my previous question regarding the suitability of the Soundeck mini damping feet in terms of being placed under speakers. You quoted from the Soundeck company literature attesting to their weight bearing strength. But the problem remains that it is hard to lift heavy speakers onto the mini discs waiting below, because the speaker spikes slide off them, and flip them. So, my question involves whether this can be solved by anything other than trial and error and a lot of heavy lifting. And given that you have these discs under your speakers (floorstanders presumably) without you using spikes, I'd like to ask if you simply put the mini discs in the four corners directly under your speakers (IE it's the carpet, then, the 3 mm damping feet, then the weight of the speakers on top - with little to no distance from speaker-bottom to carpeted floor).
Oooohhh, I see - so it's a slippy slidey thing then. Tell you what, contact Les at the company. Tell him about the issue - give him a ring so he full understands instead of am email. He may be able to provide something to stick on top to provide a bit of grip. Tell him you contacted me first and that we chatted and I suggested you rung him. Get back to me afterwards, let me know how you get on please.
@@TheAudiophileMan Hi Paul With my wife's help, it became quite easy to place the Soundeck mini damping feet under the floor standing speakers. You may further be interested to learn that tilting the speakers on both sides (and sliding a mini damping disc under front and back spikes) worked well. Beyond that, I'm happy to confirm that - when placed under speakers - the damping feet do what they say on the tin. The speakers sound more grown up. Everything has a little more depth, bass is more tuneful, strings are more airy. There was another unexpected benefit - I get more sound at a given volume level than previously. I consider that a plus. I'm talking two notches of a volume control difference. I mean why turn up the amp if you don't need to. It should represent less listener fatigue on long listening (not that I have that problem, it's just we need to look after our ears, don't we?) I already have mini damping feet under my CD player, so I'm still enjoying that upgrade too. I feel therefore that these mini damping feet allow my system to sing like it should. I hasten to add that the same can't always be said, for say, interconnects and expensive mains cables (which can alter the sound without necessarily improving it). Finally, the mini damping feet look, particularly good under speakers. The spikes used to disappear down into thick carpet fibres and now they're on view as they stand on the damping feet. I've congratulated Les from Soundeck on a great product, and as here, I've presented him with my findings.
@@cybot6 Hi Dermot, Thanks for your reply. I've now succeeded in putting these damping feet under my speaker spikes. Ultimately, I haven't gone with the 'lose the spikes' idea because we've got thick carpets in our house and also underfloor heating. At this point, I'm just grateful to have the spikes higher up and not sunk into carpet. The mini damping feet are worth it, by the way. I've sent a response within this thread to the 'Audiophile man' in which I go into more detail.
@@nazaholicable So glad you figured it all out with a little help from your wife. Thanks too for the mini review. Very interesting indeed! With you too on the underfloor heating. It all starts to make sense.
@@nazaholicable Forgot to mention that you should also insert your experience with the Soundeck mini damping feet in the original review section too. I’m sure people there would be intrigued with your follow up plus it’d be easier to locate. Just a suggestion.
Thanks for the detailed info. I use one old NAD pp2 phono stage and was planning to upgrade to the rega aria. This video make me question my plans. May I ask your thoughts about Dino compare to Aria?
The Rega is a superb product and you won't be disappointed if you decided to go for that. Saying that, it's what, £1,100? The entry point of the Dino is half that so you could start at that figure, upgrade steadily as time/budget allows and then be at the Aria level when you feel comfortable. The Dino is ideal if cash is tighter and you feel that a - possibly less stressful - upgrade path is the way to go.
Very interesting as ever review and a upgrade is definitely on the cards how about Music Fidelity M6 x Vynal as similar priced one box solution if you can afford to take the financial plunge in one go i would love to see a proper uk review of this project is that a maybe? Hope so :-)
I have the Dino Mk2 and used it as an upgrade for my built in my phono stage. I really love the sound but I have one gripe. It appears to be very prone to static and pops. I have switched between the two stages and it goes away when swapping. Any recommendations for reducing the static from the signal path?
I tried to order a Dino Mk3 together with the Dino+ PSU here in Germany. Wasn‘t successful: they are sold out everywhere and no supply anymore. Is there a Mk4 coming?
I did list a couple of retailers, situated here in the UK that currently stock the Dino plus upgrades that I'm sure will be happy to sell to your good self. Check out the Description. I need to talk to Trichord to talk about future plans.
I find my trichord dino MK2 to be harsh and hard sounding. For the people who heard noise, it has to be isolated by a meter from other electronics. Then it's totally silent.
Hi Paul and thanks for a very comprehensive may review. I bought my mk2 version of the Dino/DinoPlus/special lead about 20 years ago and about 7yrs ago I met Graham and told him I'd been using it without any issues, to which he replied - "I hate it when I meet people like you". I know what he means because when you've got a Dino you are cured of up-grade-tist. Well that's been my experience. After chatting to Graham he mentioned I could upgrade my Mk2 to a Mk3 which I did especially as he offered to take Mk2 in part- ex. When I got the Mk3 to be honest I wasn't expecting much of difference because the Mk2 was already very good. I remember asking Graham about the differences between the Mk2 and the Mk3 and he said it was quieter but did he mean. Well to me the spaces between notes was better defined which improves overall listener engagement with the music. It's also such a versatile little phono stage because you can run anything from an AT95 well up to Dynavector XX2 which only outputs a measley 350uV. Definitely 10/10 Groovy from me
Trichord still going!!!
I've had their Delphini for a decade or more.
I purchased this phono stage to trial a while back, purely based on the written review on your website Paul. I love it! I've also gone down the upgrade path fully and am not disappointed.
Blimey, that's nice to know, thanks Warren.
Great review, as we have come to expect. I’ve seen reviews of this product before, but never with so much detail. Your ‘patter’ was also packed with nonstop information, chatty style (which I once criticized) redeemed by ‘easy’ detail, that is, easy to listen to. I didn’t miss a moment while getting the clothes out of the dryer and putting them on. Now it is coffee and off to work, thank you for the great start to my day.
Edit: Great shots of the interior as well.
Well, I'm always very impressed by the fairy dust coming into play, when it comes to phono preamps ;-).
Hi Paul,
Great review as always. I didn't get the chance to demo the Dino so went for the Lehmann black cube se instead which I am really impressed by. Just wondered how you think they compare.
Paul, you remind me of someone I went to college with back in middle 80s. Any chance you where in Ealing back then?
While my heart may be in Ealing - an inspiration for poets through the ages - I'm afraid my physical being was never near the joint. Sorry.
I love my trichord dino.
Hi Paul
Forgive me for asking you a question unrelated to this video. You were kind enough to answer my previous question regarding the suitability of the Soundeck mini damping feet in terms of being placed under speakers. You quoted from the Soundeck company literature attesting to their weight bearing strength. But the problem remains that it is hard to lift heavy speakers onto the mini discs waiting below, because the speaker spikes slide off them, and flip them. So, my question involves whether this can be solved by anything other than trial and error and a lot of heavy lifting. And given that you have these discs under your speakers (floorstanders presumably) without you using spikes, I'd like to ask if you simply put the mini discs in the four corners directly under your speakers (IE it's the carpet, then, the 3 mm damping feet, then the weight of the speakers on top - with little to no distance from speaker-bottom to carpeted floor).
Oooohhh, I see - so it's a slippy slidey thing then. Tell you what, contact Les at the company. Tell him about the issue - give him a ring so he full understands instead of am email. He may be able to provide something to stick on top to provide a bit of grip. Tell him you contacted me first and that we chatted and I suggested you rung him. Get back to me afterwards, let me know how you get on please.
@@TheAudiophileMan
Hi Paul
With my wife's help, it became quite easy to place the Soundeck mini damping feet under the floor standing speakers. You may further be interested to learn that tilting the speakers on both sides (and sliding a mini damping disc under front and back spikes) worked well. Beyond that, I'm happy to confirm that - when placed under speakers - the damping feet do what they say on the tin. The speakers sound more grown up. Everything has a little more depth, bass is more tuneful, strings are more airy. There was another unexpected benefit - I get more sound at a given volume level than previously. I consider that a plus. I'm talking two notches of a volume control difference. I mean why turn up the amp if you don't need to. It should represent less listener fatigue on long listening (not that I have that problem, it's just we need to look after our ears, don't we?)
I already have mini damping feet under my CD player, so I'm still enjoying that upgrade too. I feel therefore that these mini damping feet allow my system to sing like it should. I hasten to add that the same can't always be said, for say, interconnects and expensive mains cables (which can alter the sound without necessarily improving it). Finally, the mini damping feet look, particularly good under speakers. The spikes used to disappear down into thick carpet fibres and now they're on view as they stand on the damping feet. I've congratulated Les from Soundeck on a great product, and as here, I've presented him with my findings.
@@cybot6 Hi Dermot, Thanks for your reply. I've now succeeded in putting these damping feet under my speaker spikes. Ultimately, I haven't gone with the 'lose the spikes' idea because we've got thick carpets in our house and also underfloor heating. At this point, I'm just grateful to have the spikes higher up and not sunk into carpet. The mini damping feet are worth it, by the way. I've sent a response within this thread to the 'Audiophile man' in which I go into more detail.
@@nazaholicable So glad you figured it all out with a little help from your wife. Thanks too for the mini review. Very interesting indeed! With you too on the underfloor heating. It all starts to make sense.
@@nazaholicable Forgot to mention that you should also insert your experience with the Soundeck mini damping feet in the original review section too. I’m sure people there would be intrigued with your follow up plus it’d be easier to locate. Just a suggestion.
Thanks for the detailed info. I use one old NAD pp2 phono stage and was planning to upgrade to the rega aria. This video make me question my plans. May I ask your thoughts about Dino compare to Aria?
The Rega is a superb product and you won't be disappointed if you decided to go for that. Saying that, it's what, £1,100? The entry point of the Dino is half that so you could start at that figure, upgrade steadily as time/budget allows and then be at the Aria level when you feel comfortable. The Dino is ideal if cash is tighter and you feel that a - possibly less stressful - upgrade path is the way to go.
Very interesting as ever review and a upgrade is definitely on the cards how about Music Fidelity M6 x Vynal as similar priced one box solution if you can afford to take the financial plunge in one go i would love to see a proper uk review of this project is that a maybe? Hope so :-)
I'll make a note, Robert. And thank you.
How do you think this compares to the Chord Huei?
I have the Dino Mk2 and used it as an upgrade for my built in my phono stage. I really love the sound but I have one gripe. It appears to be very prone to static and pops. I have switched between the two stages and it goes away when swapping. Any recommendations for reducing the static from the signal path?
I’ve the same problem there’s a lot of background noise , I’ve tried everything
Next review the iPhono3.
I tried to order a Dino Mk3 together with the Dino+ PSU here in Germany. Wasn‘t successful: they are sold out everywhere and no supply anymore. Is there a Mk4 coming?
I did list a couple of retailers, situated here in the UK that currently stock the Dino plus upgrades that I'm sure will be happy to sell to your good self. Check out the Description. I need to talk to Trichord to talk about future plans.
Now have 200 likes 💙💙
I find my trichord dino MK2 to be harsh and hard sounding.
For the people who heard noise, it has to be isolated by a meter from other electronics. Then it's totally silent.