Ben-Man .... I miss your videos! Your stuff is actually helpful, interesting and shot well, in addition to good audio. Hope you are good sir. E in Charlotte
Hi Ben 👋 I know life has a habit of getting in the way sometimes, but I can see I’m not alone in missing your videos. They were truly excellent. Fantastic comparisons that were recorded well enough to actually tell a difference. Hope you’re doing well, Ben. 🔊✌️🎶
IMO, the Onkyo killed it! Surprising. Emotiva sounded slightly muffled, Mani came out as a bit thin, the Onkyo sounded dynamic , emotional with great bass depth and extension. That was awesome! Bring them on, Ben!
Something I haven't put on video and is shocking is how well the mani is doing with my AT33PTGII... The 47 ohm loading just seems to be a better match!
@@BensAudioCave Hi Ben, yes I’ve read something like that on some forum! However since I’m using my AT33PTG with a Musical Fidelity V90 LPs I can’t do that on my system also , since that preamp is fixed at 100 ohms. If someday I cave in to my upgraditis I’ll buy an IFi Phono 2 (the 3 is way over my budget) which has a lot of switches and settings to tinker with, but for now im really enjoying my system as it is :)
@@BensAudioCave very interesting preamp , with a load dial! That’s pretty special! Unfortunately there s no distribution of that product here in Portugal (as far as I could see) and the only one available here right now is a second hand one and the guy is asking 500 euros (about 530 Dollars)for it, so that’s a bit too steep for me :S
@@BensAudioCave hi! Finally I got a preamp with a load selector and the AT33PTGII does sound incredible at 47k0hms! Thank you so much for the tip, Ben!
I also have a TX-NR656 for my Home Theater setup. It has no problem sending output via a 40 foot long fiber optic HDMI cable to my 60hz 4K projector. I had a lightning strike nearby go from the cable box to the HDMI input on the Onkyo and it took out ALL the HDMI ports. Onkyo service was fantastic. It was still under warranty and they did the main board replacement no questions asked for free. Got it back in 2 weeks! I also have the Mani pre-amp and love it. Never have any problems now with either. Cool review. Thanks as always.
Hi, thanks for the video. I have a Technics TT with a built-in pre-amp that sounds fine to my old ears but have wondered if a separate phono stage would make much difference. So, it was interesting, and somewhat surprising, that I could in fact hear a difference. And I think we agree? The Emotiva did sound the most natural to me. The Denon sounded a just a bit more bassy. And the Shiit seemed thin in the mid-range. I look forward to your future videos comparing phono stages.
For Christmas my daughter wanted a record player so one of my friends graciously gave her a vintage technics. She need an amp so she got my older Onkyo receiver that did not have a phono input so with a lot of research I got the ifi Zen and to me it sounds really really good on her piece together system. To replace my home theater receiver I bought the Onkyo - TX-NR6100 and surprisingly it has a phono input. So listening to her records gave me the turntable itch so I purchased a Audio Technica AT-lp140xp. To me it sounds great and with the way my daughters system sounds with the iFi Zen photo preamp I want to see what the Zen would sound like on mine. So I hooked it up through the CD input and gave to listen but I did not like it at all compared to the built-in phono preamp of the Onkyo! The Ifi Zen actually dulled or rolled off the highs where's my Onkyo did not at all. The symbols sounded shorter and duller. They didn't ring as loud or as long as it should have. Quite noticeable to me. The whole presence of the recording sounded thinner to me compared to the onkyo's built in phono input. I know this goes absolutely against everything you read about the iFi's Zen but this is what I hear on my system. I'm still using the DJ cartridge that came with it which on quite surprised with but I'm going to be changing out to the audio technica micro-linear very soon.
Hi Ben. I love your enthusiasm and your passion for Vinyl. Your videos are great and really helpful. Happy to hear that your day job is busy. Busy means successful usually. A little sad that you don't have as much time to make videos. But that's life. I have been thinking of getting a separate Phono Preamp. I have a Denon AVR-3808ci and the Phono Preamp is okay for Moving magnet cartridges and it does work with my Denon DL-110 cartridge. I would love to see a comparison with a Vista Audio Phono 2 Preramp.($399.99) I have heard and read great things about it. But it's more than I would like to spend. When you get a chance we will be happy for another of your videos to be released. Until then, thank you for all your hard work
I felt with my headphones on the onkyo was boomy muffled - mani very neutral - emotiva was the best on this demo had the best of both without the boomy bass. keep up the good entertainment
Listening through a very high end system. I liked the Onkyo least. Didn’t sound balanced, and seemed sibilant. I wonder if that thing is digitizing all inputs for DIRAC? Schitt sounded polite with added micro detail. Liked the Emotiva overall.
Thx Ben! I’m assuming you were using the original Mani not the latest Mani 2, as it wasn’t mentioned. So it’s a bit hard to tell if we listened to the latest Mani tech or not… I have the Mani 2 and it improved the sound by at least 2 times over my DENON 7.2 ch AVR and 3 times over my Audio Technica AT-120X TT built in phono. But still enjoy the DENON phone stage as well 👌
Yes it is the first mani and was always a horrible experience honestly... It is a better radio tuner than a preamp honestly and suffered from interference no matter what I did... My Emotiva XPS1 I scored (not the one in the video) for $88 brand new is like 10x the preamp with a MUCH better moving coil section... Honestly though the ultimate MC preamp under $500 is the Parasound zPhono XRM... The variable loading and wonderful internal power supply are game changing at the price point... Below is a link and thanks so much for watching! amzn.to/3XaI4VK
Tried listening with 2 separate pairs of headphones which slightly gave a different impression - but overall it was a close race between the Emotiva and the Onkyo and the Mani being the runner up! - Makes me wonder if I should just try my Onkyo TX 8250 reciever Phono stage and compare with my DJ ART Pre ii
@@BensAudioCave I just use my old Audio Technica AT630 Transformer which I always loved the way it lets the music flow through - Somewhere, somehow ,I maybe loosing 0.5 db on the right channel - its barely perceivable so if I ever get another MC Transformer/amp it would need L& R pots so I can address it somehow
@@Geoff0711 if you want the ULTIMATE phono preamp in its price range I would highly recommend the Parasound zPhono XRM... the variable MC loading is a game changer! Here is a link for more details! amzn.to/43kB3nl
@@Geoff0711 and it supports two turntables (MM AND MC) simultaneously… the variable loading does away with the transformer and really helps dial things in
So I had to break out my best headphone setup. Audeze LCD-X, Geshelli Labs J2 Balanced DAC, and Topping A90 Balanced amp. Firstly I think YT audio quality probably is not showing the differences nearly as much as they sound in person. The Emotiva was less warm on the lower mids than the other two but just barely. The Mani and Onkyo were almost indistinguishable between each other but the Mani had slightly more detailed upper mid range. They all sounded very close though.
I would say that in person the Emotiva sounds the best to my ears… However, I am biased against the mani just a bit because often it is a better radio tuner than phono preamp… Now this is on a cheap table with a 2M Black moving magnet… Now with my AT33PTG/2 (which is a moving coil) the Emotiva loads at 100 ohms (which is right for that cart) while the mani loads at 47 ohms… thanks so much watching! 😃
I really liked the Onkyo too. Great video Ben. Ive watched your previous videos on paring styluses and headshells, and where i live not all products are available unfortunately, could i ask which cartriage and headshell would you recommend for my technics 1210 ?
Well that's a tough question... Pie in the sky I would suggest an LP Gear ZuPreme 10g and an Audio Technica AT33PTGII Moving Coil AT Cart amzn.to/3NcdLYI Headshell amzn.to/3NORP5S
@@BensAudioCave you right that may have been a bit too vague. I should add my budget would be around $500-600 for both. I have a recording studio with good gear ( where my investment is ) my hifi is nothing over the top. In fact I’m using a Cambridge amplifier with average Bose speakers. I’ve just got back to vinyl recently. I was looking at the Ortofon range, then when I saw your comprehensive video it made me thinking further
@@Makebelieve123 In that case; look no further than the 540ML... I would still recommend the same headshell as it is the right mass with azimuth adjustment but this cart would give you all the microline goodness with a friendlier moving magnet price tag amzn.to/3GCNdxi
The real question is which pressing of Empire do you have? Is this the Fridays Music pressing or the capital pressing? It sounds very good . I Have heard that the capital press is really compressed and doesnt sound that great. IM in the market for a copy and want to find a great sounding copy. Its such a great album.
I have that same Queensryche reissue album and I am wondering what you think of it. I am not a fan of the sound on that album, recorded really quiet, flat sound, not much bass extension. I am not sure if it is just me...I like the music obviously, just the way they mastered it is not to my taste.
I don’t hate it… much more mid forward than the CD I listened to for many years; but I do find the soundstage more immersive somehow… but it does seem they did roll off the bass a little… but then again it was common place to make the bass way hot from what I can tell when the album was originally issued…
@@BensAudioCave The rolled off bass really bothers me. I like TONS of bass. I want my clothing flapping with every note of the bass guitar and kick drum hit.
@@TheMaxx111 well they make subwoofers but vinyl can get feedback… also sometimes the bottom can be powerful without over exaggeration… to me the mix on the original CD did sound a little tubby… then again my subs do have a gain knob if I want a little low shelf 😃
@@BensAudioCave In the set up I have where I played the Empire album, I have 4 powered subs going. I am playing it on a 1200 mk 2 and it is on a stand on the concrete floor. I am comparing that Empire album to other albums like 100s of my other records and the bass on that Empire is just rolled off and weak. Comparing it to Korn self titled, the bass easily gets the windows shaking at far lower levels. That Empire album feeds back when I get it to good SPL.
Could you make an update video? It seems like almost a year... Could we just see five minutes of how you are doing, and what new music you bought, if there's no new equipment to test. I wish you were my neighbor.
Ben, hope you’ll make more videos. Love your channel!
Ben-Man .... I miss your videos! Your stuff is actually helpful, interesting and shot well, in addition to good audio. Hope you are good sir.
E in Charlotte
Hi Ben 👋 I know life has a habit of getting in the way sometimes, but I can see I’m not alone in missing your videos. They were truly excellent. Fantastic comparisons that were recorded well enough to actually tell a difference.
Hope you’re doing well, Ben. 🔊✌️🎶
IMO, the Onkyo killed it! Surprising. Emotiva sounded slightly muffled, Mani came out as a bit thin, the Onkyo sounded dynamic , emotional with great bass depth and extension. That was awesome! Bring them on, Ben!
Something I haven't put on video and is shocking is how well the mani is doing with my AT33PTGII... The 47 ohm loading just seems to be a better match!
@@BensAudioCave Hi Ben, yes I’ve read something like that on some forum! However since I’m using my AT33PTG with a Musical Fidelity V90 LPs I can’t do that on my system also , since that preamp is fixed at 100 ohms. If someday I cave in to my upgraditis I’ll buy an IFi Phono 2 (the 3 is way over my budget) which has a lot of switches and settings to tinker with, but for now im really enjoying my system as it is :)
@@m.moreira3969 you should really check out the Parasound zPhono XRM! It is a great piece and has crazy great loading while playing!
amzn.to/3Llqwza
@@BensAudioCave very interesting preamp , with a load dial! That’s pretty special! Unfortunately there s no distribution of that product here in Portugal (as far as I could see) and the only one available here right now is a second hand one and the guy is asking 500 euros (about 530 Dollars)for it, so that’s a bit too steep for me :S
@@BensAudioCave hi! Finally I got a preamp with a load selector and the AT33PTGII does sound incredible at 47k0hms! Thank you so much for the tip, Ben!
I also have a TX-NR656 for my Home Theater setup. It has no problem sending output via a 40 foot long fiber optic HDMI cable to my 60hz 4K projector. I had a lightning strike nearby go from the cable box to the HDMI input on the Onkyo and it took out ALL the HDMI ports. Onkyo service was fantastic. It was still under warranty and they did the main board replacement no questions asked for free. Got it back in 2 weeks! I also have the Mani pre-amp and love it. Never have any problems now with either. Cool review. Thanks as always.
Hi, thanks for the video. I have a Technics TT with a built-in pre-amp that sounds fine to my old ears but have wondered if a separate phono stage would make much difference. So, it was interesting, and somewhat surprising, that I could in fact hear a difference. And I think we agree? The Emotiva did sound the most natural to me. The Denon sounded a just a bit more bassy. And the Shiit seemed thin in the mid-range. I look forward to your future videos comparing phono stages.
For Christmas my daughter wanted a record player so one of my friends graciously gave her a vintage technics. She need an amp so she got my older Onkyo receiver that did not have a phono input so with a lot of research I got the ifi Zen and to me it sounds really really good on her piece together system. To replace my home theater receiver I bought the Onkyo - TX-NR6100 and surprisingly it has a phono input. So listening to her records gave me the turntable itch so I purchased a Audio Technica AT-lp140xp. To me it sounds great and with the way my daughters system sounds with the iFi Zen photo preamp I want to see what the Zen would sound like on mine. So I hooked it up through the CD input and gave to listen but I did not like it at all compared to the built-in phono preamp of the Onkyo! The Ifi Zen actually dulled or rolled off the highs where's my Onkyo did not at all. The symbols sounded shorter and duller. They didn't ring as loud or as long as it should have. Quite noticeable to me. The whole presence of the recording sounded thinner to me compared to the onkyo's built in phono input. I know this goes absolutely against everything you read about the iFi's Zen but this is what I hear on my system. I'm still using the DJ cartridge that came with it which on quite surprised with but I'm going to be changing out to the audio technica micro-linear very soon.
Hi Ben. I love your enthusiasm and your passion for Vinyl. Your videos are great and really helpful. Happy to hear that your day job is busy. Busy means successful usually. A little sad that you don't have as much time to make videos. But that's life. I have been thinking of getting a separate Phono Preamp. I have a Denon AVR-3808ci and the Phono Preamp is okay for Moving magnet cartridges and it does work with my Denon DL-110 cartridge. I would love to see a comparison with a Vista Audio Phono 2 Preramp.($399.99) I have heard and read great things about it. But it's more than I would like to spend. When you get a chance we will be happy for another of your videos to be released. Until then, thank you for all your hard work
I felt with my headphones on the onkyo was boomy muffled - mani very neutral - emotiva was the best on this demo had the best of both without the boomy bass. keep up the good entertainment
Listening through a very high end system. I liked the Onkyo least. Didn’t sound balanced, and seemed sibilant. I wonder if that thing is digitizing all inputs for DIRAC?
Schitt sounded polite with added micro detail. Liked the Emotiva overall.
Great test. The Onkyo amp wins. Better sound.
Thx Ben! I’m assuming you were using the original Mani not the latest Mani 2, as it wasn’t mentioned. So it’s a bit hard to tell if we listened to the latest Mani tech or not… I have the Mani 2 and it improved the sound by at least 2 times over my DENON 7.2 ch AVR and 3 times over my Audio Technica AT-120X TT built in phono. But still enjoy the DENON phone stage as well 👌
Yes it is the first mani and was always a horrible experience honestly... It is a better radio tuner than a preamp honestly and suffered from interference no matter what I did... My Emotiva XPS1 I scored (not the one in the video) for $88 brand new is like 10x the preamp with a MUCH better moving coil section... Honestly though the ultimate MC preamp under $500 is the Parasound zPhono XRM... The variable loading and wonderful internal power supply are game changing at the price point... Below is a link and thanks so much for watching!
amzn.to/3XaI4VK
love Queensryche Empire
Onkyo! I love my Onkyo gear with 1998 Technics sl 1200 MK5.
Tried listening with 2 separate pairs of headphones which slightly gave a different impression - but overall it was a close race between the Emotiva and the Onkyo and the Mani being the runner up! - Makes me wonder if I should just try my Onkyo TX 8250 reciever Phono stage and compare with my DJ ART Pre ii
Well the Emotiva XPS-1 is actually a great choice too but I swear for mm the art DJ pre with a regulated power supply is hard to beat at the price!
@@BensAudioCave I just use my old Audio Technica AT630 Transformer which I always loved the way it lets the music flow through - Somewhere, somehow ,I maybe loosing 0.5 db on the right channel - its barely perceivable so if I ever get another MC Transformer/amp it would need L& R pots so I can address it somehow
@@Geoff0711 if you want the ULTIMATE phono preamp in its price range I would highly recommend the Parasound zPhono XRM... the variable MC loading is a game changer! Here is a link for more details!
amzn.to/43kB3nl
@@BensAudioCave woah! that does look good and would possibly replace the Xformer and phono preamp all in one stage...Thanks!
@@Geoff0711 and it supports two turntables (MM AND MC) simultaneously… the variable loading does away with the transformer and really helps dial things in
So I had to break out my best headphone setup. Audeze LCD-X, Geshelli Labs J2 Balanced DAC, and Topping A90 Balanced amp. Firstly I think YT audio quality probably is not showing the differences nearly as much as they sound in person. The Emotiva was less warm on the lower mids than the other two but just barely. The Mani and Onkyo were almost indistinguishable between each other but the Mani had slightly more detailed upper mid range. They all sounded very close though.
I would say that in person the Emotiva sounds the best to my ears… However, I am biased against the mani just a bit because often it is a better radio tuner than phono preamp… Now this is on a cheap table with a 2M Black moving magnet… Now with my AT33PTG/2 (which is a moving coil) the Emotiva loads at 100 ohms (which is right for that cart) while the mani loads at 47 ohms… thanks so much watching! 😃
@@BensAudioCave mr ben if you see this need an opinion on a video you did like way last year
I really liked the Onkyo too. Great video Ben. Ive watched your previous videos on paring styluses and headshells, and where i live not all products are available unfortunately, could i ask which cartriage and headshell would you recommend for my technics 1210 ?
Well that's a tough question... Pie in the sky I would suggest an LP Gear ZuPreme 10g and an Audio Technica AT33PTGII Moving Coil
AT Cart
amzn.to/3NcdLYI
Headshell
amzn.to/3NORP5S
@@BensAudioCave you right that may have been a bit too vague. I should add my budget would be around $500-600 for both. I have a recording studio with good gear ( where my investment is ) my hifi is nothing over the top. In fact I’m using a Cambridge amplifier with average Bose speakers. I’ve just got back to vinyl recently. I was looking at the Ortofon range, then when I saw your comprehensive video it made me thinking further
@@BensAudioCave $300-400 would be even better :)
@@Makebelieve123 In that case; look no further than the 540ML... I would still recommend the same headshell as it is the right mass with azimuth adjustment but this cart would give you all the microline goodness with a friendlier moving magnet price tag
amzn.to/3GCNdxi
@@BensAudioCave Thats sounds l;ike a good choice. I do like the microline !
The real question is which pressing of Empire do you have? Is this the Fridays Music pressing or the capital pressing? It sounds very good . I Have heard that the capital press is really compressed and doesnt sound that great. IM in the market for a copy and want to find a great sounding copy. Its such a great album.
It is the regular Capitol pressing the vinyl is pretty heavy... but maybe it was the cart?
Hey Ben Where did you go? Miss the vids! Understand if life has gotten in the way.
That is exactly what has happened 😥
My day job is super hectic these days and not had a lot of time to do a video
I have that same Queensryche reissue album and I am wondering what you think of it. I am not a fan of the sound on that album, recorded really quiet, flat sound, not much bass extension. I am not sure if it is just me...I like the music obviously, just the way they mastered it is not to my taste.
I don’t hate it… much more mid forward than the CD I listened to for many years; but I do find the soundstage more immersive somehow… but it does seem they did roll off the bass a little… but then again it was common place to make the bass way hot from what I can tell when the album was originally issued…
@@BensAudioCave The rolled off bass really bothers me. I like TONS of bass. I want my clothing flapping with every note of the bass guitar and kick drum hit.
@@TheMaxx111 well they make subwoofers but vinyl can get feedback… also sometimes the bottom can be powerful without over exaggeration… to me the mix on the original CD did sound a little tubby… then again my subs do have a gain knob if I want a little low shelf 😃
@@BensAudioCave In the set up I have where I played the Empire album, I have 4 powered subs going. I am playing it on a 1200 mk 2 and it is on a stand on the concrete floor. I am comparing that Empire album to other albums like 100s of my other records and the bass on that Empire is just rolled off and weak. Comparing it to Korn self titled, the bass easily gets the windows shaking at far lower levels. That Empire album feeds back when I get it to good SPL.
I don’t hear a difference between any of the components.
Could you make an update video? It seems like almost a year... Could we just see five minutes of how you are doing, and what new music you bought, if there's no new equipment to test. I wish you were my neighbor.
Sorry my mom has stage 4 cancer… not had much time 😥
I am sorry to hear that. I hope you will come back to doing your shows at some point. Your subscribers are wishing you well.
...wow.. / onkyo / emotiva / mani.. my rig over YT..!!