Ugraditus is calling....again. Phono stage?

I did but only once with the older Hegel amp and preferred the xlr input sq.
However I should really try it again in the Lyngdorf.

Have you looked at the Shiit Mani Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

John (Jmcgrogan2), thanks very much for the nice words.

Regarding the Gold Note PH-10, as you mentioned it isn’t clear if the specified output impedance pertains to the balanced outputs or the unbalanced outputs or both. In addition, the website description and the brochure it links to state that the output impedance is 50 ohms, while the manual says 500 ohms. The manual also indicates that an optional tube-based output stage is available, as well as an optional external tube-based output stage. Perhaps the 500 ohm figure pertains to those options.

But even if the output impedance of the solid state output stage that is apparently standard is 500 ohms, chances are it does not have the substantial rise in output impedance (to perhaps several thousand ohms) that would result in the deep bass region from the coupling capacitor that is often used with tube-based output stages. Given that, the specified nominal impedance probably isn’t greatly different than the maximum output impedance within the audible frequency range, and therefore I suspect that a 10x ratio applied to that figure would provide results that are reasonably good if perhaps a bit marginal. Also, given the ambiguity in the specifications it seems quite possible that the balanced output impedance may be 1K, resulting in the same 10x ratio when connected to the 10K input impedance of the 2170’s balanced inputs. And of course Robelvick reported fine results with that configuration, although we don’t know for sure if the nominal output impedance involved is 50 ohms, 100 ohms, 500 ohms, or 1000 ohms.

The bottom line, IMO: The PH-10 in its standard configuration (i.e., without either of the tube-based output stage options) would most likely be a reasonable choice in terms of impedance compatibility, whether connected balanced or unbalanced.

Best regards,
-- Al

As always Al your contributions are helpful in my quest to say the least.
Many thanks as always

uber -

I also own a Herron VTPH-2a and am more than satisfied.  But impedance matching is critical at every point in the chain.  I'm using all Herron Audio equipment, so it doesn't make any difference for me.

My suggestion is to call Keith Herron and open a discussion.  I have never known him to place sales above honest answers.  If his equipment won't work with yours, he will say so.  Better to tell it like it is than end up with a dissatisfied customer.