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Looking for a phono stage with pleasing coloration

I have recently completely overhauled my analog front end. I have gone from a Marantz TTS TT-15S1 with a Clearaudio Charisma to a Rega Planar 8 with a Soundsmith Paua II cartridge. There have been definite improvements; improvements in dynamics, resolution, and spatial separation.  Phono stage is currently a Tavish Adagio running into a Prima Luna Evo 300 preamp and Parasound JC 5 amp; speakers are Monitor Audio PL 100 II. I’m overall pleased with the system but I find it a little too modern sounding; instrument separation, and mid and low bass are a tad too tight and disciplined. While the Paua generally outclasses the Charisma; I preferred the tonality of the Charisma. Maybe it’s because the Charisma has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its tonality that I like.


I would like to make change to Phono stage to address these issues, so looking for recommendations on a phono stage that has a bit more of a vintage coloration, body, warmth, slightly looser bass and low noise floor and retains good top end extension. I currently have the PS Audio Stellar phono on order for a home trial but every review I have read has praised it for its neutrality but what I really want is added coloration that I find pleasing.  I guess I can try tube rolling the Adagio but I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of trying to find low microphonic NOS tubes. Finally I want to stay under $3K and I’m open to vintage phono preamps (but I don’t want to sacrifice dynamics and sound stage).


Ag insider logo xs@2xarize84
dover
2,182 posts
 
I know the Paua well - I suggest you start by auditioning the matching Soundsmith phono - as the loading and gain requirements for the Paua are unusual - ie gain of a moving coil stage, but the ability to adjust the loading between 500 and 1000 ohms.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Good idea. But note the Decware SUT uses infinitely adjustable loading - on the fly - simply turn the knob.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
How can someone else tell you which sound coloration do you like? 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
arize84 OP
56 posts
 
@millercarbon nailed what I'm looking for by describing warm woody tone. My research is that most current audiophile phono stages are generally voiced to be neutral; I'm looking for a brand/model that is not shy of creating a noticeable house sound.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Lol! Hey all I did was read what you wrote!
Maybe it’s because the Charisma has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its tonality that I like.
Got a feeling you might really like the ARC PH3SE. Mine had a nice warm sound that did have a woody tone to it, but only in retrospect when compared to the Herron. I home auditioned a lot of phono stages before buying the ARC. It did not sound colored compared to those. It did have more warmth than most.

Another one you may like, the EAR 834P which if you really do want warm and woody can’t imagine how you do better than a vintage (mid-90’s) EAR.

The EAR is one of those that has just enough detail, but not in your face it draws you in, which may be just the thing for you. Don’t know about the newer ones, but the ones back around 1995 were warm as a goose down blanket.

The 834 would also be a steal, after all this time probably only a couple hundred bucks. If you can find one. 
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