Rega Fono MC v/s Pro-ject Tube Box S

Rega Fono MC v/s Pro-ject Tube Box S playing Holly Cole Trio

Equipments used -

Rega P3
Rega Ania MC cartridge
Rega TT PSU
Michell Engineering Technoweight counterweight
Edward Audio Little Belter
Funkfirm Acromat 3mm
Vinly Styl Record Clamp
Nimak Sub platter
Chord Chameleon Interconnects
Pro-ject Tube Box S
Rega Fono MC
Rotel RC-1070 Pre-Amp

Other accessories -

Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens
Manfrotto MK190GOA4-3WXUS tripod
Zero dust stylus cleaner
Hunt EDA Mark 6 Brush
Sennheiser HD 555 headphones

[georgeg]

5:30 the tube s really shines through. Totally subjective of course as each pair of ears are different. Mine like the more forward piano that still keeps the vocals clear and forward in the sound stage. I'm also getting a tonne of sibilance in both

[cubdukat]

For me it was a close tie, but the Tube Box S did tend to accentuate the sibilance at the beginning of the track. But even as close as it was for me, I'd definitely pick up a Tube Box S simply because I've been doing solid state preamps since I got into vinyl and it's time for a change. Not to mention it's about $100 bucks cheaper than the Rega and would probably be a better match for my turntable (Music Hall mmf-2.2) since it's more or less a rebadged Pro-Ject anyway.

[MrVinylObsessive]

Curiously, i have almost the same setup as you, starting with the black P3, the Pro-ject Tube S, 3mm Achromat, and even the Vinyl Styl Record Clamp, LOL.
But i use a iFi iPhono preamp most of the times, and a Goldring Eroica instead of your Rega Ania. And i use a Groovetracer subplatter.
And if this was not enough, i also have the same Analogue Production pressing of that "Don't Smoke In Bed" album. I see that your copy also have the same vocal sibilance as mine, which is a pity, because apart from this, it's a good sounding record.

[carylee]

After purchasing both the Phono tube S and Phono tube S2. The most confusing part with these preamps is the literature. If you using moving coil cartridge...no matter if it is HOMC or LOMC, just set the Ohm setting for MC and ignore the 47K MM setting for HOMC. Just treat the MC as it is. I had a so called HOMC AT-Mono3/LP. ...I read my specs online and set my Ohm as 1000 ohm for minimum 400ohm and set the gain at 41 db because it is high output MC at 1.2 mv. But if you have LOMC then you need at least 60db or more. And set pf settings to zero. IF your MM then set to 47K ohm and adjust your Pf to your cartridge on you spec sheet. As for gain keep it somewhere 41-56db but bellow 60db for MC. For the Rega recording...seems constraint...might need to redo the settings like how I recommend the settings

[alexandrefernandes]

Personally they sound exactly the same from my comparison
I ran through the track, forwards and backwards, comparing same moment between them.
They sound the same.

[johnnyerbs]

For me they are pretty even in bass and drums, but the Project is more open in reproduction of midtones and hight representing the voice and piano.
Hence has the Project a bigger soundstage to my ears.

[hbaboris]

For me Rega has a more balanced sound....more natural....better than Project.

[dean]

I have the Rega fono MC and I thought the Project sounded better in the bottom frequencys.

[Peter-tcep]

Rega sounds more dynamic, Project seems to have a bigger soundstage. Project also seems to bring out the flaws wether dust or in the record. Listened again, was a toss up first time which I liked better, second time the Rega stood out, more natural sounding with less sibilance. The Project made the vocals sound recessed and hollow to me. On first listen I liked the air on the Project but listening again, Project first then Rega, noticed more differences.

[brotherbrian]

I thought the pro ject was more pleasant. (Personally) nice detail with warmth

[LanciaD]

very bad sibilance; are the disc or cartridge worn? is not listenable

[jonathanlarsson]

Have you done anything to the Nimak subplatter?
I love mine, but it "sticks up" quite a bit and looks kind of weird.
There's about 4cm sticking up above the platter on mine, where yours looks leveled.

[tomwebb]

Nasty sibilance overload and is it me or is the piano/string sections very fluttery sounding, its not exactly a well centered LP.