You may also want to check out Tavish phono preamps. They’re tube based. I own one and really dig it. The co. is run by Scott Reynolds, who has a PhD in EE and his son.
Used phono preamp options - feedback requested
Greetings, all.
Here's my rig:
Thorens TD124 Mk 1 w/Mk II upgrades
Lyra Delos or Paradox Pulse D103R
Handmade Walnut Arm on unipivot bearing
Paradox Pulse Phono 70 preamp (MM/MC)
I'm in the market to find a phono stage up to about $2K to compare and contrast with the Paradox Pulse.
Open to suggestions however, considering these specific phono stages (all used):
Clearaudio Balance Plus
Sutherland 20/20
EAR Phonobox
Sonic Frontiers Phase 1 SE
Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL
Musical Fidelity NuVista
and possibly a Herron VTPH-1 (I can't get the guy to contact me back).
and.new:
Decware ZP3 and ZMC SUT
I'm interested in tubes primarily, but can be swayed to try another solid state stage w/good (and easy) loading capabilities.
Please don't bash - I'm looking for real experience with any/all of these, or something in the vein. I have my priorities in the list, but am truly looking for quality input from the group.
Thanks in advance.
Here's my rig:
Thorens TD124 Mk 1 w/Mk II upgrades
Lyra Delos or Paradox Pulse D103R
Handmade Walnut Arm on unipivot bearing
Paradox Pulse Phono 70 preamp (MM/MC)
I'm in the market to find a phono stage up to about $2K to compare and contrast with the Paradox Pulse.
Open to suggestions however, considering these specific phono stages (all used):
Clearaudio Balance Plus
Sutherland 20/20
EAR Phonobox
Sonic Frontiers Phase 1 SE
Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL
Musical Fidelity NuVista
and possibly a Herron VTPH-1 (I can't get the guy to contact me back).
and.new:
Decware ZP3 and ZMC SUT
I'm interested in tubes primarily, but can be swayed to try another solid state stage w/good (and easy) loading capabilities.
Please don't bash - I'm looking for real experience with any/all of these, or something in the vein. I have my priorities in the list, but am truly looking for quality input from the group.
Thanks in advance.
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- 23 posts total
If you can scrape together a few more $'s I would strongly suggest that you check out the Boulder 508. https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/boulder-model-508-phono-preamplifier/ |
A new Hagerman Trumpet MC costs only $1K new and I think it compares favorably past the $3K price range. Possibly beyond even that price range, if you favor a phono stage with a warm, open sound. Extremely flexible gain & load settings via switches on the front panel. I absolutely love mine, and I also own the following: VAC Renaissance SE, Rogue Ares Magnum, Herron VTPH-2A, and Sonic Frontiers Phono 1SE+. I’ve been pretty bowled over by the Trumpet MC’s performance for its price. It sounds like the old tower-style Trumpet, but adds a balanced JFET front end (for additional MC gain) that’s fantastic! Again, it's a little on the warm side but I really like that about it! I particularly enjoying mine with a Benz LPS so far. |
The ARC PH3SE is indeed a fine phono stage for the money. They would be about $900 or so now. Was very happy with mine, had it something like 20 years! Until I got the Herron. At which point I must say I was SHOCKED to hear how much better it was and especially to realize how colored it made the ARC sound in comparison. The moral of the story is probably all of the phono stages people are recommending here will make you very, very happy. Until and unless you ever compare side by side you will never know what you're missing. And so as long as you don't worry too much about that you will be happy. |
- 23 posts total