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Phono Pre Advice

Hi,
I'm in the market for a new phono stage $2,500-$3,500 (or so)
VPI Classic 1, Ortofon Quintet Blue, JPS Labs cables
Current phono pre: Channel Islands PEQ-1 MKII/AC15 MKII power supply. Is is a little "lean" relatively low noise but lacking weight and dynamics

In contention are:
Modwright PH-9 + power supply
Goldnote PH10 + power supply
PS Audio Stellar Phono (when released in September) no option for external power supply
*also love the look of the Thorens tep 302! Anyone heard it?

Thank you for any and all thoughts on those listed or others not on my radar, lots of amazing experience here!!

Best,
-JP
jp-2213
jp-2213 OP
43 posts
 
*Owned a few Halo pieces...
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
A hair above your budget but the Musical Fidelity NuVista Vinyl is spectacular.  Full sound, a hair warm and brilliant with Ortofon cartridges though it is $3700.  I would be using this unit with my Cadenza Blue if I wasn’t the importer for Art Audio.  The list of units that beats the MF is short but quite distinguished.  Many MF dealers will probably find the flexibility to fall in your budget.  

The other I would look at is the Rogue Ares Magnum.  In the beefy part of your budget at $2800, it was the unit I was looking at prior to entering the industry.  Rogue makes great equipment and this unit stands out.

Full disclosure, I am an MF dealer so I am a hair biased in it’s favor but MF has a stellar reputation for making great phono stages.  I have no relationship with Rogue.  I am also, obviously a fan of tube phono stages. 


simao's avatar
simao
1,819 posts
 
You can turn the OLED display off on the Gold Note.

And the NuVista is quite good, too.
tooblue
1,927 posts
 
Allnic.
rsf507
2,315 posts
 
Another vote for the GN & PS combo. It’s just so versatile and if you ever get a second tonearm you’d be all set.
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