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Phono Preamp Recommendation

I recently sold my ARC SP-16 and went to an LS-26 linestage. One goal of the upgrade was to improve my vinyl playback which was then suffering in comparison to my Esoteric X-03SE. Now it's time to add a phonostage and I could use some suggestions. Parameters: $2-3K, leaning toward solid state (lower noise, no tubes to swap), low profile (3" high or less). I doubt I'll need gain enough for really low output moving coils nor do I need tons of loading and capacitance adjustments, though some ability to adapt to different cartridges would be nice. Right now I'm running a Dynavector 20XM (medium output coil with 1mv output) in a VPI Scout. I don't see this as my last phonostage but rather one to take me a few years down the road until I can upgrade my table/arm/cartridge in a big way. Basically, I'd like to end up with vinyl playback as good (or better) than what I'm getting on the digital side right now. If I can do this for less than $2K great but I'll go to $3K if the jump in performance is appreciable. Bottom line: performance and reliability are key, features less so. Anything you might suggest should be as good or better than my fallback which is an ARC PH-5 (I know, tubes and taller than 3"!).

Thanks for your assistance.
dodgealum
larryi
3,887 posts
 
I personally favor tube phonostages (most are dead quiet, so noise is not an issue), though I can understand the need for convenience and something that fits available space.

I've only heard briefly the Sutherland phonostages (battery powered, low profile). They sounded quite good -- smooth and natural, without a pronounced solid state sound (artificially sharp "edge" to the attack of notes and mechanical sound). Perhaps they were a bit bland or polite, but, I heard it in an unfamiliar system.

I've also heard a Tom Evans phonostage that sounded pretty decent, but again, it was in an unfamiliar system.

I've owned, and liked, the Linn Linto. This is a fairly dynamic and exciting phonostage that somehow avoids being edgy or dry sounding. For some reason, this reasonably priced phonostage is overlooked, though it is quite decent. Perhaps, its lack of adjustability is the reason it is not favored, though it worked well with my Lyra Titan.

As someone else mentioned, the Klyne is a really fine phonostage. The internal build on a Klyne is quite impressive too. A used Klyne (not easy to find) might be in your price range.
restock
831 posts
 
Since you have a Dynavector cartridge and prefer solidstate I would look at the Dyna P75 MKII first. A friend and I preferred the Dyna unit to the Wright using a 20XM on a Scoutmaster.

Otherwise, the Pass XOno or the Vacuumstate JLTI go in the same direction as the P75 sonically (fast, dynamic, detailed, controlled) and are worthwhile improvement over the P75MKII. I compared the JLTI in detail to the Wright and Ear units and preferred the JLTI but a huge margin. Both the EAR and Wright lack detail, nuance, and definition and only have average soundstage and instrument separation IMO.

Other interesting units are the Herron, Art Audio, and K&K tube phonostages.

Also, going to a better cartridge like the Dyna XX-2 is a huge step-up. My friend with the Scoutmaster first went from the P75 to the XOno and then from the 20XM to the XX-2 and the cartridge made a bigger difference.
aptquark
99 posts
 
Hello peeps...

Dodgealum...see if you can audition a Vacuum State JLTI stage. It sells with an external powers upply for additional moneys. Thats if you dont want to use a walwort transfomer. It is THE only mm/mc phono that can compete with my ASR Basis Exclusive. IMHO anyways. Plenty of setting for adjusting to your cartridge. I use a .18mv ZYX...and have the gainmaxed on the JLTI....silent...dead quiet. Talk to Jay at Audio Revelation. He can arrange to send one to you for auditioning. You will be amazed at what this 1600 dollar unit (2600 with external power)can achieve.

Good Luck
gslone
274 posts
 
Audiofeil:
Yes, you are right the Aleph Ono is almost 5 inches tall... My mistake.
But, it is a good choice, don't you think?
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I owned the Pass Aleph Ono and upgraded it to the Xono. The latter is quieter (seperate power supply) with deeper, tighter bass and can resolve details slightly better. It is very neutral and has huge gain and very adjustable loading. It is also less tall than the Ono. Maybe 4 inches. It can be found for about $2000 used and is an excellent value.

Perhaps Audiofeil can tell you about the new Pass XP15 which will be less expensive than the now discontinued Xono was when new and perhaps even better.
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