I have recently completely overhauled my analog front end. I
have gone from a Marantz TTS TT-15S1 with a Clearaudio Charisma to a Rega Planar
8 with a Soundsmith Paua II cartridge. There
have been definite improvements; improvements in dynamics, resolution, and spatial
separation. Phono stage is currently a
Tavish Adagio running into a Prima Luna Evo 300 preamp and Parasound JC 5 amp;
speakers are Monitor Audio PL 100 II. I’m overall pleased with the system but I
find it a little too modern sounding; instrument separation, and mid and low
bass are a tad too tight and disciplined. While the Paua generally outclasses the
Charisma; I preferred the tonality of the Charisma. Maybe it’s because the Charisma
has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its
tonality that I like.
I would like to make change to Phono stage to address these issues,
so looking for recommendations on a phono stage that has a bit more of a
vintage coloration, body, warmth, slightly looser bass and low noise floor and retains good top end extension. I
currently have the PS Audio Stellar phono on order for a home trial but every review
I have read has praised it for its neutrality but what I really want is added coloration
that I find pleasing. I guess I can try
tube rolling the Adagio but I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of trying
to find low microphonic NOS tubes. Finally I want to stay under $3K and I’m
open to vintage phono preamps (but I don’t want to sacrifice dynamics and sound
stage).
