Handy thread, I am in similar boat. Looking for a mid-priced Tube amp to sit between a Pro-Ject RPM 9.2 with a LO MC Sumiko cart going into a Phono-stage and some Frisk 251 MTMs.
I have fairly wide price band, ideally looking for something around $1000-1500 but will willingly go lower if amp has features I am hoping for and maybe up into $2XXX if value/$ seems right.
Sitting at low-end of my range:
- Yaqin MC-100B w/ KT88 -- I could even hop south of the border and take a drive to Toronto to pick one up from Canadian distributor (Yes, I said south so you can guess where I am)
- The hybrid Rogue Sphinx is an option, doesn’t have the aura of full tubes but checks boxes for price/features, including headphone. But has a high input sensitivity (1V whereas most of the phono-stages I am considering are in the 350-600mV range)
- Middle of range, the Jolida 3502S seems to check most boxes, especially tube flexibility and pretty decent reviews and discussions - except no headphone amp
- Sitting highest in my range (which seems to be growing) is the Rogue Cronus Magnum II - has headphone and a phono (which will require a SUP due to the LO MC). But this also has relatively high input sensitivity and again powerful than what I need
And unlike another first-time poster, I like the look of the Primaluna :) ... on short list too but with features I want they too get pricey
BTW, I am leaning towards to the Tavish Vintage 6SL7 for my phono.. has great reviews, apparently very accurate, big soundstage and not too tubey... and wife approved! Adding this in case anyone wants to make the case for SS or vote for the Hybrid Sphinx.
Thanks in advance for suggestions and comments
Andrew
