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Phono amp as good as Shindo Aurieges phono section

I have recently , while having my Shindo Aurieges worked on, installed a Tortuga LDR in place of the Shindo. I am surprised that I like the Tortuga a lot. I want to get a Phono amp, at least equivalent to the Aurieges, so I can compare them when the Aurieges is back, and I am missing my analog fix.

I have a Allnic A1500, 300b amp, so the logical choice , to me, is the Allnic 1201. Any recommendations or thoughts appreciated!

 I have an Acoustic Signature table ,with a Trans- Fi tonearm.
acman3
lewm
13,252 posts
 
Alma-sphere often gets overlooked in these discussions, I think because their products are full function preamplifiers, which actually should be an added value.  The MP3 might fall within your budget.
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Acman3, I'd be careful about impedance compatibility when choosing a phono stage having a tube output stage for use in conjunction with the Tortuga LDR.  It appears that depending on how the LDR is configured and on the attenuation value it is set to its input impedance may be in the 10K to 20K area, which will be too low to be optimal for use with many tube-based phono stages.

For example, Stereophile measured the unbalanced output impedance of the Rhea at 20 Hz as being 3.05K, which would certainly be high enough to be a concern in conjunction with a 10K load.  And I would have suggested that you consider the Herron VTPH-2 that I use, but I don't think it would perform at its best with that kind of load impedance either.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al
 
acman3 OP
4,274 posts
 

Yes Al, that is the problem with the Leben also. Stereophile called its impendence ridiculously high.



lewm
13,252 posts
 
Not many tube preamplifiers will mate well with that unit.  The Manley Steelhead has a very low output Z (<100 ohms) and will drive just about anything.  However, I believe the cost is outside the budget.  One could check the specs for the Manley Chinook; if it uses an output stage similar to that of the Steelhead, it would work fine.
acman3 OP
4,274 posts
 

Actually Lewm, I think you may have found the solution. I found several Phono amps that would work, including a used Allnic h3000, and AcousticPlan, which would work, but are way over budget.

 If I was sure I was going to get rid of the Shindo ,I would go over on budget, but since I am just wanting to see how it works, the Manley is probably a great choice. I also like the retro look.

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