Clearaudio ref phono - any reviews or comments?

I have a client that's looking for same piece as you are.I'm being told by our Clearaudio's US Distributor Musical Surroundings that the Reference phono stage is not available in the US (it means they don't bring it in) but I'm not sure if your dealer can special order one for you. May be a good start is to have your dealer to contact Musical Surroundings and arrange to get one from Germany. I also heard that Clearaudio is working on a new phono stage that supposes to be better than the current Reference one. Other option in that price range is the Herron VTPH MC phono stage which I thought is outstanding for the sub 3k range. Good luck.

Well HELLO, Kubla -- pleasure to see you again!! Hope you've been well & kicking...
Clearaudio: the champagne ref or the two-flat-box battery powered one? The champagne one (I'll assume that's the one for 3k) is good. I tried it on my rig (Simon Yorke/ Pluto/ Clearaudio Accurate) using ears that don't incorporate precious metals (mine). So, can't you give it a go?
Anyway:
Speed is very good. You get resolution across the basic spectrum, getting better and better mid-range upwards. It is correct in every respect: maybe not an Aesthetix, but were I to copy the musical score from the sound alone, I could probably do it -- loosing some when it came to mid-lower bass. And forget the piece of music I was listening to... I never got this machine to sing to the music or play MUSIC, as it were. Remember: my rig, and I'm deaf. OTOH, the phono loading was optimised for my cartridge, cable was clear's own, my electronics include german machines (the faterland spirit was there, somewhere). Maybe the speakers fault? They're american.

BUT, it is a seriously good phono: it does its job well and then some; it just didn't put its soul to the job at my home. My other (german) phono, is not as resolving but it plays BRAHMS 1st piano concerto or JL Hooker, and I forget the score because the music is too involving!

Cheers!

thanks gregm, but...does that mean it's good or bad?