OK, so here’s the lineup, with an X where the phono needs picked:
VPI Signature--Lyra Kleos-- X --Primaluna Dialogue Integrated HP (with KT120s or 150s)--Zu Soul Supremes. Must also sound great with LCD-3f headphones and potentially an end-game headphone amp like an Apex.
X can equal $8k in a used phono pre. What is the best match for an end-game phono pre, assuming my front end is as near end-game as I will go for a long time (ever), and the amp and speakers have a few more years in them (and I absolutely love them). My room is too small for bigger Zu’s I’m afraid, so I maxed out the small room ones. Pretend some day I will have Jeff Josephs--the big ones.
I place tremendous value on huge soundstage (side-to-side, top-to-bottom, front-to-back) with a shedload of air between instruments (with the black background) and "space" with that 3D sound, vs. uber detail to the gnat’s ass’ detail (although all of the above is acceptable). Clarinet New Orleans jazz, Radiohead, Iron & Wine, the National, the Police, Sufjan Stevens, old U2, Crowded House all have to blow my mind. Guitars need to have that beautiful, liquid meat-on-the-bone sound that you know when you hear it you can’t live without (and wish you had learned to play). I love a good stand up bass pluck, piano key percussion and decay, and cymbal hit. You know, the magic that a $10K new piece of gear should have, especially paired with other near-top-end gear. You’ve all heard it, and most people who listen to 3 hours of music a night know it when you hear it, and you crave it. The addictive kind where you drag your ass to bed but really want to listen to a few more songs. Easier typed than found, I know.
Allnic 3000v?
ARC Ref 2SE?
Doshi?
Zesto?
Tron Seven?
Steelhead (only 4K used)?
others?
A week ago I would have said tubes only, but I’ve heard some great SS stuff and I no longer care as long as the phono pre blows my mind as stated above.
I know I probably can’t go wrong with any of it, but is there one that is absolutely the most "right"?
VPI Signature--Lyra Kleos-- X --Primaluna Dialogue Integrated HP (with KT120s or 150s)--Zu Soul Supremes. Must also sound great with LCD-3f headphones and potentially an end-game headphone amp like an Apex.
X can equal $8k in a used phono pre. What is the best match for an end-game phono pre, assuming my front end is as near end-game as I will go for a long time (ever), and the amp and speakers have a few more years in them (and I absolutely love them). My room is too small for bigger Zu’s I’m afraid, so I maxed out the small room ones. Pretend some day I will have Jeff Josephs--the big ones.
I place tremendous value on huge soundstage (side-to-side, top-to-bottom, front-to-back) with a shedload of air between instruments (with the black background) and "space" with that 3D sound, vs. uber detail to the gnat’s ass’ detail (although all of the above is acceptable). Clarinet New Orleans jazz, Radiohead, Iron & Wine, the National, the Police, Sufjan Stevens, old U2, Crowded House all have to blow my mind. Guitars need to have that beautiful, liquid meat-on-the-bone sound that you know when you hear it you can’t live without (and wish you had learned to play). I love a good stand up bass pluck, piano key percussion and decay, and cymbal hit. You know, the magic that a $10K new piece of gear should have, especially paired with other near-top-end gear. You’ve all heard it, and most people who listen to 3 hours of music a night know it when you hear it, and you crave it. The addictive kind where you drag your ass to bed but really want to listen to a few more songs. Easier typed than found, I know.
Allnic 3000v?
ARC Ref 2SE?
Doshi?
Zesto?
Tron Seven?
Steelhead (only 4K used)?
others?
A week ago I would have said tubes only, but I’ve heard some great SS stuff and I no longer care as long as the phono pre blows my mind as stated above.
I know I probably can’t go wrong with any of it, but is there one that is absolutely the most "right"?