DaVa FC-A1 a field coil contender

Was the 1:50 in place when I stopped by ( weekend Ked was over )? Whatever the case the DaVa was sounding very good :)
 
A 1:50 gives 2db more gain than a 1:40. I am guessing RADA went 1:40 because their Precious phono is pretty high gain @ 50-53 db depending on tube . As a reference point the EM/IA is 42db with higher gain tube and 32db with lower gain option ( per manual ).

Just a guess. I know Darius (DaVa) and Dalius (RADA) are friends...
 
I am still sorting through this but the high ratio SUTs do not work with conventional phono stage input impedance (47K)as the gain gets attenuated by the load that the cartridge sees at such a high gain.

The Emia phono has much higher input impedance so the higher gain ratio works. IOW 1:50 won't work well at all with most phono's
Might have to use more of the Io's gain and less SUT step up. Check with your provider if you're not comfortable with the math.

The DaVa SUT is not going to be produced until at least May 2023 according to Darius.
 
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Iirc EM/IA builds their phono with 300k so higher input resistance, yes, and a more typical 120r reflected load with a 1:50 and ~ 76db gain.

On the other hand I know a few DaVa users doing 1:40 or 1:50 into 47k...

Thankfully changing 47k to higher value is , in many cases, one of the easier mods one might undertake or request ;)
 
Is there anyone not using an external sut with Dava but an mc phono preamp?
 
Is there anyone not using an external sut with the Dava but an mc phono preamp?
i've used one of my internal mc phono's in my dart preamp and it sounded very good. i prefer my $40k EMIA Corrector/MC Trio set-up but the dart pre is excellent. Jonathan Tinn only uses his dart preamp with his DaVa Ref and really likes it (prefers it to his now up for sale DS Audio Master 1 Reference).

no reason not to use an mc active phono pre, other than preference for what an SUT brings.
 
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I heard the much hyped Dava ref cartridge today at the Manila hifi show.
Hard to comment really on such an unfamiliar system
Didn't make me want to rush out and get one thou

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I heard the much hyped Dava ref cartridge today at the Manila hifi show.
Hard to comment really on such an unfamiliar system
Didn't make me want to rush out and get one thou

View attachment 100213
I had the same feeling after hearing it in Warsaw a few weeks ago. Though lacking sound quality in a show of course does not mean the product cannot perform excellent in another setting.
 
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I plan to play it through my ch precision p1 phono stage when I get my dava cartridge in feb. Has anyone tried the dava with current amplification mode phono stages. The p1 has both modes was wondering which one would be most appropriate for the dava .
 
sounds absolutely fab!
dances through complex orchestral works like a dream
fantastic foundation in the lower registers and top resolution on heavy brass section of Sheffield Labs Romeo and Juliet

foundation and weight is always there with the arm, and emotion, but usual with other carts it rounds top a bit and even though real can be a bit muddy. However combined with DaVa the top and separation should all be there.
 
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Tip o the hat to Bonzo for clueing me in, and to Leif and Bill for their stalwart work in discovery and optimisation.

?
I plan to place an order once my finances permit. The lead time will also permit me to make a choice re my arm and existing cartridges;
If my aim was to have two working arm - cartridge combos, which of the following should i sacrifice?
(In other words, which combo will be eclipsed in all areas by the DaVa?)
Option a: Ikeda tonearm, Fuuga
Option b: Schroeder LT , vdH MSS

I'm aware the Schroeder isn't an ideal partner for the DaVa, so would select another, high mass tonearm in that case

Thank you in advance for your opinions
 
The Ikeda IT407 CR1 is my prime choice with wonderful control and superb tracking .
The low end is solid and full of harmonics and the top end sweet and seductive
all I need really
Thank you Leif.
My instinct is that the DaVa likely eclipses Fuuga, as users here have particularly praised it's bass performance. So that would leave my IT 407 free to carry the DaVa
 
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Tip o the hat to Bonzo for clueing me in, and to Leif and Bill for their stalwart work in discovery and optimisation.

?
I plan to place an order once my finances permit. The lead time will also permit me to make a choice re my arm and existing cartridges;
If my aim was to have two working arm - cartridge combos, which of the following should i sacrifice?
(In other words, which combo will be eclipsed in all areas by the DaVa?)
Option a: Ikeda tonearm, Fuuga
Option b: Schroeder LT , vdH MSS

I'm aware the Schroeder isn't an ideal partner for the DaVa, so would select another, high mass tonearm in that case

Thank you in advance for your opinions

i would do ikeda DaVa plus Schroeder vdh. Keep in mind for finances it is half on order and half on delivery, unless you find used
 
i would do ikeda DaVa plus Schroeder vdh. Keep in mind for finances it is half on order and half on delivery, unless you find used
Thank you Ked
 
Thank you Leif.
My instinct is that the DaVa likely eclipses Fuuga, as users here have particularly praised it's bass performance. So that would leave my IT 407 free to carry the DaVa
I already have Fuuga and the Dava will be delivered next month. The turntables, the tonearms as well as the preamps won't be the same but still I may have an idea in between them.
 

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