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Spectral Phono Section vs. External one!

Hi folks, Has anyone had much experience using the Spectral Phono Section for MM or MC cartridges vs. using an external phono section either tube or solid state? I am trying to decide on a phono section to use. Which external phono section has sounded excellent with an all Spectral/MIT reference setup? AR PH3, Klyne, Sonic Frontiers, Quicksilver, Lehmann, etc etc? I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks Shawn
jadevision
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
Shawn - The Spectral gear is very detailed and slightly on the cool side. I think matching it with a tube phono stage and or line stage would warm it up nicely. The PH3 is nice but the PH3SE is the way to go if you choose ARC. I do not like the SF, but others will disagree with me. I cannot give an opinion on the Quicksilver, Klyne or Lehmann as I have not heard them. You may want to listen to the BAT VK30SE with phono stage. It may be the perfect solution!
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
if you're truly interested in a tube phono stage that will mate with your other electronics, you must try the aesthetix io. there's nothing better out there, ss or valves.
john_l
782 posts
 
I've heard the spectral gear before with the quicksilver,the lehman, and this really cool titianium grey PH-3. Of the three, the PH-3 was head and shoulders the best. That's the one I'd get.
soupcon
40 posts
 
You may want to chk with your dealer; I don't believe spectral gear is spec'd to be used with tube gear. I owned some spectral monoblocks in the past, and was told by my dealer (progressive audio) that a tube linestage wouldn't work with them. Not saying you shouldn't do it, just recommending you do a little homework before chunking down a bunch of $.
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