Tradeoffs of external phono stages?
This is a bit of a YMMV question, but here it is:
I have had an Audible Illusions Modulus 3 with internal MM phono stage since the mid aughts, and I’ve been quite happy with it. Looking down the road, I’m thinking I’ll need to replace it one way or another. It’s pushing 30 years old and I’ve heard that it’s hard to get these units serviced (in a reasonable amount of time, at any rate). That said, it’s been a fantastic value. I didn’t pay much for it used, and it’s been completely reliable. I’ve just replaced the tubes every few years. I haven’t auditioned different preamps separately, but my system sounds really good. I’m using this preamp with good equipment - a Sota Sapphire with a dynavector cartridge, a DIY First Watt M2 clone for amplification, Naim NDS streamer, and a changing cast of vintage British speakers: Tannoy Monitor Golds and Quad ESL 57s. With acoustic music, the analog source outperforms the streamer.
Anyways, the question I’m reaching for is whether buying line and phono stages separately is cost effective… as a rule. With separates, you’re buying two chassis, another set of interconnects and so on. Maybe having a separate power supply for the phono stage is a built in advantage? With something like an AI Modulus delivering so much bang for the buck, I just don’t see it. If my trusty Modulus were to go out of commission now, I’d probably be looking at a used Rogue Audio preamp with a built in MM phono stage - maybe a 99 magnum. If you’re serious about vinyl, does this approach make sense?
What tubes do you use ? With better tubes your old trusty preamp with phono stage might sound much better. Also, power cord and interconnects. I would not rush to replace what you have unless you exhausted its potential. You could in addition to the above buy some inexpensive used phono stage, say, older Allnic or Manley and compare it to your AI phono. But the cables and cords should be good or you might get wrong results. And tubes. But yeah, others said it, ideally separate is better. |
Thanks for the informative responses, all. It sounds budget dependent. The more desirable phono stages seem to start around $1K used or new, but with the investment in a line stage, the total may be a bit higher than what I'll want to spend. For reference, there is a used Rogue Magnum 99 with MM phone stage on sale at The Music Room for $1400 - what would that amount of money get you in separates, even used? An interesting idea might be to get a nice separate phono stage and use the very affordable diy Pass designed B1 line stage: https://diyaudiostore.com/collections/kits/products/korg-nutube-b1. It uses a SMPS. But I already have a Pass designed component in my system (active crossover) that uses a SMPS, and it's transparent to my ears. |
Alex, I have had an Audible Illusions preamp refurbished by Technetron Electrics in NYC. They offered me 2 options, one around $700, the other just under $1k. I chose the cheaper option but when I got it back, it sounded so good I wish I had gone for the more expensive one. If you still have it give them a call, they can fix it. Phone # 212 725 8778 Good Luck, Ron Bufford |
