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Best Phono amp under $2000.

I'm looking at the Ray Samuels F-117, the Ray Samuels XR 2. Also looking at the Sutherland 20/20 and the PHD3. I want a solid state phono amp,I already have a tube phono amp. My first choices are Sutherlands and the Samuels.. Has anyone ever compared these phono amps. Whats the difference in their sonic signature? I have a Nottingham with 2 tone arms. The carts I'm using are the Dynavector DV20 high output and a Grado Reference Master 1.I want to try low output MC's eventually.What other amps at $1000 to $2000 are recommended?
zeal
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
How about a TRON Convergence? would be in your budget, if you are in the UK. Not sure how much it is in the USA. You could ask Jeff Catalano at High-water Sound in NYC, as he is the USA TRON distributor. The TRON Convergence has been used recently at RMAF and other shows by Jeff, with many plaudits.
bacobits1
103 posts
 
The Rogue Triton 2 is very nice phono. More adjustments than the Triton 1 I also had.
This replaced a Heed Quasar ll.
I have had like 15 different phonos here over the years. All the usual suspects.
This is very good at $1295 . Running into a Rogue Cronus Mag 2.
vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
If you are patient you might find a used Herron VTPH-2 for just a little more than 2k.  They don’t come up very often.  People tend to keep them.  Excellent phono stage.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,824 posts
 
Rega  Aria v2 MM/MC phono preamplifier. About $1500 new.
pgastone
79 posts
 
Unfortunately it is tube but there is an Aesthetix Rhea for 1800 on Audiomart.   This is an absolutely superb phono- like an end of the line good.
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