Recommendations for MM Phono ~ Tube or Solid State

@lewm

There is more to Lupe design than just Class A gain stages. There may be other phonos taking the similar approach as Lupe but most phono preamplifiers designed both for moving magnet and moving coil operation use one gain stage to amplify MM cartridge output, with a second gain stage daisy-chained to the first in order to provide the additional amplification required by low-output MC cartridges.

The Mola Mola Lupe differs by having two entirely separate Class A gain stages, one designed exclusively for MM cartridges, the second just for MC. Both are fully discrete designs and are followed by an active analogue filter. The filter uses relays to switch capacitance and resistance in and out to achieve the different time constant values and, thereby, EQ curves.

Can you tell me another phono that takes same design approach as Lupe?

With respect to your desire to add a Miyajima Zero or Infinity, you should contact Robin Wyatt. He is the distributor and knows them well. They can be tricky to manage ground loop hum. I solved it with a dedicated mono SUT and phono…Miyajima ETR-Mono and a mono (only) Tecktron tube phono that Robin commissioned.

I am currently moving away from a Zero and ETR-Mono in favor of a MSL Eminent Solo and a Fonolab Pacto, custom built for mono. You might look into both for a mono rig instead of a Miyajima.

@lalitk When my Vinyl system is up and running, I have readily available, a few TT's even though one is my most preferred. I also have a selection of TA's, with one most preferred as the go to TA with a selection of Cart's readily available mounted in a selection of identical Headshells. 

Additionally, I have Phon's that I have been thoroughly impressed with and a few SUT's.

The above allows for Permutations to be produced which all can impact on the end sound producing changes to the end sound that are detectable.

Permutations have been produced through TT exchanges, TA exchanges , Cart' exchanges, Phon' Swapping, SUT Swapping, Tube Swapping.

The outcome of exchanges having occurred has been that the Sound being produced has remained as a thoroughly enjoyed presentation and really wanted to be lived with. Then the idea will arise to hear a certain Track in a certain known Permutation for the equipment set up, and then the 'What If' develops whist experiencing the Track being replayed.

The point being made, is that it is your time, your investment, your hobby, your stimulus. You do not need to justify to anybody why a new experience of your music being replayed within your home through your system, which has thoroughly impressed has also become desirable to experience it using different electronics as the tools.

From my end it is the expanding of experiences through encountering audio equipment in use, that really assists the enthusiast to discover their preferred place, for the end sound that is to be produced from recorded music.  

If the Gastronome wants to experience their 'Perfect Cote de Boeuf Meal ' accompanied with a different sauce, so be it, no one else will be eating from their plate.     

Lalitk Yes, Raul’s 3160 (which I own) and his current 3180 phonolinepreamp both contain entirely separate and discrete MM and MC stages. The 3160 is the finest SS phono stage I’ve ever heard in my home. And the 3180 is said to be better. Both are dual mono and true balanced designs as well. And as the name implies, a built in balanced linestage is part of the package. So the phonolinepreamps are not “just” a pair of phono stages that differ in gain.

@lalitk The Essential 3160 as a used item purchase is not a bad proposition to consider.

These are able to be found for sale at approx' 80% decreased in value since the item was originally released, it must be worth a Punt at such monies.

There should not be any monies lost if able to be purchased for approx' $2.5K.