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Need help with finding a new phono stage.

I just got my SOTA TT back from being upgraded from a Star to a Nova. Now I need to work on getting a new phono stage. I currently have a Cary PH-301 that has served me well for years but I'm looking for a phono stage where I can adjust the gain, impedance and preferably the capacitance as well. I have mounted a new Benz M2 wood body MC cartridge (0.8mV) on the Kuzma Stogi tonearm. According to the papers the recommended load is 200 - 47k ohms. I don't see a figure for the capacitance. My Cary has a swicth on the back to go from MC to MM (60db/42db), and says the impedance is adjustable (MC only, 10k - 68k, MM fixed at 47k) but the manual does not instruct how to do this.

Any suggestions for a new or used phono stage in the $1500 price range. I prefer tubes but could go solid state. If anyone also knows what impedance level would be best between 200 - 47k ohms and what the capacitance on my Benz cartridge I'd appreciate knowing that as well.

Thanks
clio09
c123666
871 posts
 
Take a look at the Decware phono stage; just over 1500 including moving c oil transformer step up devices. This unit will accomodate MM or MC cartridges and the values can be changed. Decware makes their own stuff and it is high quality. Best yet is you can run it for a few weeks as there is a 30 love it or return it deal from Decware. Small footprint, too. It also uses a small number of tubes as opposed to many of the other tubed phono preamps out there that use a LOT of tubes; ie, BAT, Aesthetix. Start pricing quality NOS tubes at 50 to 100 ea(or a lot more for Telefunken ecc803s/12ax7 at 500 plus per pair) and you'll see the cost of your tubed phono stage skyrocket.
clio09 OP
3,355 posts
 
C123666,

Thanks for the suggestion. I went to the site and looked at the various models. The 1.5 is the one most similar to my needs. I think I may give Decware a shot along with the BAT and Eastern Electric, all of which I can get on 30 day trial.
john_tracy
341 posts
 
If you are comfortable soldering and doing some assembly the K&K Audio phono preamp from Kevin Carter is outstanding. It is very similar to the Art Audio Vinyl Reference that Kevin designed.

www.kandkaudio.com
c123666
871 posts
 
Clio,
You might also speak with an Audio Note representative or send an email to Audio Note asking about their transformer line. They make quite a few different ones and most are adjustable. They range from modestly priced (for high end;ie, about 600 to start) to outrageously priced.

The best Audio Note transformers are the Japanese made units by Kondo. Not surprisingly, these also command quite high prices on the used market but they are quite remarkable.
clio09 OP
3,355 posts
 
C123666,

Thanks for the advice. Right now here is where I am at: Yesterday a 3 month old Whest PS .20 popped up on Audiogon and I grabbed it. This was thought to be out of my budget at $2500, but I got a sweet deal on this one so I could not refuse. In the meantime I ordered the Decware 1.5 and have a sale pending on a Hagerman Trumpet MM with a separate step up transformer, again another sweet deal I could not refuse. I'll be comparing all 3 and then keeping one. I'm sure all 3 can be easily resold, or in the case of the Decware, returned. As such I passed on the Eastern Electric and BAT for the time being.
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