I bought this Whest PS.20 without listening to it after reading Michael Fremer's good review. I was going to get rid of it if its sound was mediocre.
Much to my surprise, it is a very neutral sounding phonostage. It has excellent dynamics, very good images and soundstage. Top to bottom is well balanced. Plenty of gain and ultra quiet. Definitely it is better than my CAT MK III's built in phonostage.
I also compared the Whest with Aesthetix Rhea that my friend owns. Offering a great variety of features, the Rhea sounds sweet and rich. The Whest is not dull or bright, and not rich or bland either. But yet it is lightning fast, dynamic, and extremely quiet. It is quieter than the Rhea. Its bass is a bit tighter and transient quicker than the Rhea. If you want rich sound and extra features, the Rhea will be your ticket. But at $2,600, the Whest is quite impressive. I am keeping it. Don't let the look and size of the Whest PS.20 fool you. It is a stealth performer.
Much to my surprise, it is a very neutral sounding phonostage. It has excellent dynamics, very good images and soundstage. Top to bottom is well balanced. Plenty of gain and ultra quiet. Definitely it is better than my CAT MK III's built in phonostage.
I also compared the Whest with Aesthetix Rhea that my friend owns. Offering a great variety of features, the Rhea sounds sweet and rich. The Whest is not dull or bright, and not rich or bland either. But yet it is lightning fast, dynamic, and extremely quiet. It is quieter than the Rhea. Its bass is a bit tighter and transient quicker than the Rhea. If you want rich sound and extra features, the Rhea will be your ticket. But at $2,600, the Whest is quite impressive. I am keeping it. Don't let the look and size of the Whest PS.20 fool you. It is a stealth performer.