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phono pre-amp being replaced

Hi guys long time no talk to.

So I'm reaching out to the community to get some feedback. I recently purchased a Lyra Kleos phono cartridge. Love the cartridge by the way. One of the best sounding carts in its price range and more that I have heard. With that said I currently have an ARC PH-7 phono stage. Love that piece also. Its very natural sounding and just produces a lovely sound. However in regards to cartridge loading its just not the best match for the Kleos. I understood that when I bought the cartridge, but I really wanted the Kleos so I pulled the trigger. Don't get me wrong the sound is amazing with the two however the PH-7 has a fixed gain of 57.5 DB. with the Kleos being a .5mv output I have lost about 8-10 DB of gain in reference to my medium output Dynavector that the Kleos replaced. I think the optimal gain for .5mv is somewhere in the neighborhood of 60-61DB. So that is a little background. Here is my question. I'm looking for recommendations for a phono stage to replace the PH-7. I don't want to shell out the money for the ARC Reference which is around $10k plus. I think I can get just as good a sound for somewhat less. So as much as I LOVE my PH-7 I am ready to part with it at this point to better match the Kleos.  So I thought I would ask. So any suggestions would be helpful. I'm looking for something maybe with variable gain or at least maybe a high and a low setting for future cartridge upgrades. I would like it to be vacuum tube, and of course have a very natural sound. So that should narrow the field. I have  been so happy with what I have that I have not even entertained auditioning anything else until now so Im a little behind the 8 ball on the available models out there other than ARC of course. May have a little brand loyalty there, but I'm willing to give another brand a try to keep things in my price range of 3-$6k.


Thanks in advance


-Keith

barnettk
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
I have been using mc cartridges and SUT's since 1977! This combination has always sounded better than any SS or tube gain stage! 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
I presently have on hand six SUT’s. A Mike Sanders Quicksilver, a Bellari, a Denon, two custom-made with Altec mike transformers. And a rare pair of the Sony direct plug-in SUT’s. I like to experiment with different combinations using my various mc cartridges!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Even the best active tube pre-pre amp (the Counterpoint) had a noticeably higher noise floor than any SUT. And the problem of finding suitable low-noise tubes!
hifijunky
126 posts
 
Get a Herron VTPH2A Phono Preamp. $3650. 64db or 69 db by switching tubes. By the way what resistor loading are you using for your Kleos?
agrippa
160 posts
 
Another vote for getting a step-up (though it doesn't have to be transformer-based).  Two reasons:

1) You obviously like the sound of the ARC, which is indeed a very competent phono stage, so just getting rid of it without having tried a step-up seems at best very hasty.

2) If the step-up solves your problem you'll have saved a lot of money.  If you don't like it you can sell it at a minimal loss and continue the search for a new phono stage.  Unless for some reason you're in a terrible rush this would appear to be a far more sensible option.

Several transformer-based step-ups have been mentioned, to which I'll add the Rothwell Audio MCX.  With 10x/20dB gain and a 100Ohm input load it should match your Kleos well.

If for some reason you absolutely want to go ahead and get rid of the PH-7, my suggestion would be to check out the Allnic H-1202.  Albert Porter here on Audiogon can no doubt supply you with one at a nice discount vs RRP, as he did for me.  If you're in the US perhaps there is also a loaner unit available.
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