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Phono stage

Hello Friends
I'm close to Nirvana, re phono stages, but want a bit more juice, in the bass (SLAM), and a sweeter treble, that won"t make my ears bleed, just kidding, yes, on some recordings some recordings, it is a bit bright, I bought a used PS Audio GPH, that has helped, but still, want a phono stage, that will take me to the next level, don't let me wrong, the PS Audio, is great!!, but I think, I could do better!!, I'm on a pension, so the mega, expensive, units, is out of my my price range!!, I have searched the web!!, below is what, according, to reviews, I just need guidance!!
1. RCM Sensor
2. TW acoustics
3.Monk phono stage
4. Herron VTPH-2
5.Liberty  B2 ( I'm not sure, if a tube unit, will give me slam,)
6. Mc Tavish  design(tube)
7. Decware ZP3 (tube)
8. Nagra VPS, or BPS
Friends
What is your thoughts??
Concluding"
Bass is where I'm coming from!!, with a smooth treble, but with nice cymbels
Thanks
David
128x128daveyonthecoast
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o_holter
975 posts
 
Hi David - based on your sonic preferences - take me to the next level, etc - I suggest an Aesthetix phono stage. They sometimes appear used for a fair price. You can move up, if needed, from there. I did, some years ago, investing in a basic version of the Io, and later, upgrading. I have never looked back. I understand what people mean when they say they get "annoyed" by phono stages. Aesthetix solves that. If you are willing to live with some tube noise and heat.

browndt
97 posts
 
I have had a Herron VDPH-2A for about month now in an excellent system (really excellent) and it adds considerably to to the overall sound. It gets better each day. There are many good phono stages
available. The Herron is a steal. How often do you see a used
Herron on this site ? You do need a careful impedance match
with your preamp as others have said.



sdake's avatar
sdake
4 posts
 
I just recently purchased a Nagra VPS.  You can't go wrong here - as long as you don't mind opening the top to switch loads.  The design is absolutely perfect IMO - all very short signal paths.  You will want to match it to your preamp, as others have alluded to, whatever that may be.
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 
Another vote for the Herron, which I just got back from Keith with the "A" updates. It was already an amazing phonostage but I do hear improvements with the upgrades--though it is still breaking in so I can't comment with any detail on the performance as of yet. Keith Herron's product support is off the charts--he has been a trusted advisor and supporter of my habit for a almost a decade now--just a great human being who knows what he is doing and cares deeply about his clients.
dsholl1
99 posts
 
I have the Goldnote Ph-10. Give it 100hrs running in and you’ll be stunned at how good it is. Add on external power supply comes out soon too!
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