I had the opportunity
to listen to three good phono stages this week. The Audio Note Kit ($2200),
GoldNote PH10 ($2000), and the new Allnic Audio 1202 ($3800) this was a demo unit
from the distributor. We listened in one long evening to all three with the same
three records. All were played on an Oracle Delphi table through the phono
stage then to an Auto former (passive) and to some very nice custom made 45
tube based mono blocks (2wpc) finally to some custom le Scala speakers (102db).
Over all my friends system is very reveling of small changes to the system (not
to mention noise and hum). I have to say every one of the phono stages are excellent
the two tube units and the one SS unit defiantly had the typical differences
from SS and tube. Also all were hum free.
The records of choice for this listening were;
a UK first pressing of Pink Floyds Wish you were here out of a collection that
had only about 6 plays since new (wow wonderful recording best I’ve heard of
that record ever), Santana Abraxas half speed mastered addition another very
good recording, and a mix of some Brazilian jazz can’t recall the band but
great and some Mark Knofler few random cuts but we used the first three mostly
for eval.
We started with the AudioNote phono stage then
the GoldNote and finally the Allnic. Have to say every one of them is top notch
and really between the ANK and the Gold Note it was basically boiled down to tube
or SS both were comparable. I’d give the GoldNote more in the Bass, slightly
better detail with more extension, instrument attack and separation of instruments.
The ANK was slightly more musical and had
a really nice midrange it was also very involving. Both had great PRAT as well.
After those two we stuck the Allnic in. we expected
the Allnic to blow away the first two being twice the price but really it wasn’t
that much better. I said to my friend after “is that all you get” I didn’t hear
the hyp to be honest. This is a bit deceiving as you don’t really hear the difference
right off it sort of comes to you after a few records. The Allnic brought more
detail, better decay of notes, separation of notes and instruments and a nice
warm I’d almost say laid back presentation maybe lush. I think the ANK and
GoldNote both had better PRAT and the GoldNote specifically had better Attack. But
the Allnic is a pleasant phono stage if that makes sense it’s a pleasure to
listen to but IMO not $2k more than either the ANK or GoldNote just a bit
different but in a good way.
The evening was a great
chance to listen to some excellent for the money phono stages I know my friend
is wrestling with the idea of selling his ANK and buying the Allnic. I’d keep
the money and buy more records if it was my money.
+++
I own the GoldNote PH10 bought it on a whim
and after that evening I’m very happy with what it can do. also being the least
expensive of the three I would not put it at the bottom for sound quality its defiantly
equal to or better then the ANK and I’d say gives the Allnic a run for its
money in many areas (PRAT for example). I’d
like to hear what the separate power supply does for the sound maybe in the
future.
Note all phono stages
were broken in, the Allnic was just from a reviewer who lent it to my friend
for eval in his system before it goes back to the distributor.
