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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
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. 
revreed
37 posts
 
I don't have experience with any of the other phono preamps listed but I am trialing the Graham Slee Accession MC (they have a MM version too) with the Enigma PSU 1. I have vintage components and bought a new Rega Planar 8 with Apheta 3 . I bought a Rega Aria and I got a bad hum that I couldn't get rid of. The Rega wasn't found to be faulty (returned it) but with the GS Accession, no hum and it plays wonderfully. This was in comparison to my preamps MC stage which was supposed to fairly decent.  Graham Slee has a loaner program too! You can check it out here: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/
sokogear
1,095 posts
 
Sutherland 20/20 with LPS would exceed $2K. You can get a Sutherland Insight with the upgraded Linear Power Supply for $1750 list. If you can swing the extra $900, the 20/20 has great reviews also.

Ron Sutherland will talk to you himself (very nice guy), and it is the recommended PS of the most respected dealers in my market. It's all Ron makes, so total PS design focus.
sokogear
1,095 posts
 
BTW - you probably will have a difficult time finding a used one, especially with the Insight LPS. I had to get mine after the fact and installed it myself (with Ron's help).
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