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Used phono preamp options - feedback requested

Greetings, all.

Here's my rig:

Thorens TD124 Mk 1 w/Mk II upgrades
Lyra Delos or Paradox Pulse D103R
Handmade Walnut Arm on unipivot bearing
Paradox Pulse Phono 70 preamp (MM/MC)

I'm in the market to find a phono stage up to about $2K to compare and contrast with the Paradox Pulse.

Open to suggestions however, considering these specific phono stages (all used):

Clearaudio Balance Plus
Sutherland 20/20
EAR Phonobox
Sonic Frontiers Phase 1 SE
Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL
Musical Fidelity NuVista
and possibly a Herron VTPH-1 (I can't get the guy to contact me back).

and.new:

Decware ZP3 and ZMC SUT

I'm interested in tubes primarily, but can be swayed to try another solid state stage w/good (and easy) loading capabilities.  

Please don't bash - I'm looking for real experience with any/all of these, or something in the vein.  I have my priorities in the list, but am truly looking for quality input from the group.

Thanks in advance.
128x128dducat
jrobertson
2 posts
 
If you can scrape together a few more $'s I would strongly suggest that you check out the Boulder 508. 
https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/boulder-model-508-phono-preamplifier/
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
A used ARC PH 3 SE is a great tube phono stage for cartridges with an output of 0.4 mV and above.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,913 posts
 
A new Hagerman Trumpet MC costs only $1K new and I think it compares favorably past the $3K price range. Possibly beyond even that price range, if you favor a phono stage with a warm, open sound. Extremely flexible gain & load settings via switches on the front panel. I absolutely love mine, and I also own the following: VAC Renaissance SE, Rogue Ares Magnum, Herron VTPH-2A, and Sonic Frontiers Phono 1SE+. I’ve been pretty bowled over by the Trumpet MC’s performance for its price. It sounds like the old tower-style Trumpet, but adds a balanced JFET front end (for additional MC gain) that’s fantastic! Again, it's a little on the warm side but I really like that about it! I particularly enjoying mine with a Benz LPS so far.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The ARC PH3SE is indeed a fine phono stage for the money. They would be about $900 or so now. Was very happy with mine, had it something like 20 years! Until I got the Herron. At which point I must say I was SHOCKED to hear how much better it was and especially to realize how colored it made the ARC sound in comparison.  

The moral of the story is probably all of the phono stages people are recommending here will make you very, very happy. Until and unless you ever compare side by side you will never know what you're missing. And so as long as you don't worry too much about that you will be happy.
saika2
31 posts
 
@liamowen -  Agree with your opinion of the Pass XP 15 - well built, neutral, versatile phono stage. I didn't like the lack of a power on/off switch or the tiny dip switches in the rear, to adjust resistive or capacitative loading- but its a very nice phono stage and a bargain on the used market. The XP 15 could potentially be your last phono preamp, its that good. I fixed the issues mentioned above by adding an on/off switch to the power cord, and have it turned around (front to back) on my rack so I can access the dip switches with ease - I use 4 MC cartridges - a Shelter 901iii/Denon 103R/Denon 301ii/and an AT OC9mlii- they work beautifully with the XP 15. 
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