Reduction vs modded Musical Fidelity V-LPS

[cyto]

Hi All,
My first post here  ;D

I am getting the itch to change my phono pre and do some mods or build, I am currently using a Musical Fidelity V-LPS which I modded with OPA627 OP Amps (original OP amps were NE5534) and upgraded capacitors. The mods did improve the clarity and soundstage.

I was wondering what I could expect from a Bottlehead Reduction phono pre, I don't have the coins for a Eros.

Opinions and/or advise are appreciated.

Thanks

David

 

[4krow]

Sorry I don't have experience with BH phono products, but there are some of the MF products that I have used in the past. MF has some good ideas that sound great, but they seem to stop on the threshold of being a much better product. Also, when I tried my hand at modding them, I felt that I was pretty much on my own as far as advice. I know that you are asking about comparison of sound, so I will let someone else chime in for the answer to the original question.
  What I am driving at with my view is that if you want to upgrade/mod a BH product, your chances of success compared to trial and eeror (he heh I'll leave that one alone), are in a completely different ballpark. You will find a sense of ease here morphing a component to your liking. Again, I realize that your question has yet to be answered.

 

[cyto]

Actually even a stock Musical Fidelity V-LPS to stock Bottlehead Seduction/Reduction comparison would be helpful.

If I get a BH Reduction I probably won't mod it for a while.

 

[Grainger49]

I haven't heard either.  But I'm an EE.  Here is a visual comparison:

The Reduction has a real transformer and power supply, the V-LPS uses a wall wart.  The power supply is one of the things that makes the Reduction cost more.  But it brings greater dynamics to the game.

The Reduction glows in the dark (that is tongue in cheek), the V-LPS is best kept hidden (that isn't).

The V-LPS is Op-Amp based, and could be constructed for ~$100 in a simple form.

Sonically, and I have owned a Seduction (the Reduction predecessor) and now own an Eros, there will be a greater and more precise soundstage from the tubes.  The V-LPS might have more bass, but not necessarily better bass. 

I do hope this helps.

 

[cyto]

Thanks Grainger,

I should have mentioned that I am using a Pyramid power supply with the V-LPS.

 

[Grainger49]

That would put the dynamics on a more level field.

 

[cyto]

Just in case I can talk my wife into the Eros, how does it compare, sonically, with the Seduction?

 

[Grainger49]

On the Eros product page I am quoted in a Mini-Review.  Look in the Eros folder and you will see much more from my build, named "Eros In The House."

Both compare my Seduction and the Eros.

 

[xcortes]

There's audio products I could live with and audio products that not. The former are thosee that sound natural, that doesn't tire and that convey the soul of the music. In this category are SET amps without feedback. In the latter are push pull amps with feedback. In the former is good analog. In the latter is most digital. I've had two Seductions, two Eros and two tube repros (the 4k built BH preamp). I can tell you i could easily live with the Seduction. Going up in the chain provides refinement. But if musicality and naturalness is important to you any of the three will deliver in spades.