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Is Coincident Statement Phono pre-amp an overkill

Is it an overkill for my Clearaudio Concept TT and Concept MM cartridge.

I am a new to Analog but clearly its going to be my #1 source of listening pleasure I know already.

Should I start the safe route of picking up an EAR 834P and then going up the chain.

What are your views on this phono stage in general is it worth the money, I have a chance to get one at 25% off retail, which for this phono as I understand never happens, have not seen this phono in Audiogon ever in the last 6 months of looking everyday.
essrand
pops
2,273 posts
 
Essrand go for it - one component at a time. My philosophy is buy the piece you really want and upgrade when you can or you might even find you don't need to upgrade. A statement piece in your system might make upgrading other components unnecessary because you might be completely satisfied with your sound.

OTOH compromise and you may be on the upgrade train forever...a well worn path of disappointment for many.
jcharvet
46 posts
 
The Statement Phono adds an analog flavor to my digital source. It sounds very good. However, my Wadia 781i has its own volume control, and I prefer digital music to sound digital as-is. If you plan on hooking up a CD player, it will do the job as a line stage very well, and you can roll tubes to suit your tastes.

The Statement Phono is very quiet, its almost unbelievable you are listening to records. It is very true to the sound your turntable makes.
lewm
13,019 posts
 
I would ask Israel Blume, does his phono stage have a true "linestage" built in, or do the aux inputs simply interpose the volume control between the CDP or other high level source and the amplifier. There is an important difference, if the linestage function is crucial to you.
essrand OP
297 posts
 
I talked to Israel, he says that the "line-stage" in the phono is passive (no gain), so its not a "true" linestage.
lewm
13,019 posts
 
Sorry for being pedantic, but "passive" and "no gain" can mean two different things. But it's probably truly passive, just a volume control, which means one must take care about matching impedances.
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