That’s an easy one!! The Tavish design Adagio can be had @ $1999...in your choice of finishes, as well as available with your choice of improved power supplies. I cannot think of a better equipped all tube phono stage available at the price...plus, you will not have to buy a seperate step up transformer, as Mark has built then into the device. He uses a pair of high quality jensen transformers contained within the preamp chassis. I own and use the lower priced tavish the classic and love it. I use it in conjunction with an outboard jensen step up trans....I am currently tube rolling with a nos GE jan 5751, RCA 7025 black plate (12ax7a), and a GE jan 12au7. You will need to get on a waiting list, as they are built to order and are currently all sold out of all models. https://tavishdesign.com/ |
in the price range you are looking at, you really should consider the VTL TP 6.5. Used, they go for well under your top budget. They use an FET for the first gain stage at the MC level, but after that all valve. Its the most open, most dynamic phono stage I have heard, and have been through over 30 of them in the last 4 yrs. |
The OP determined what the requirements are- ALL TUBE-rectified, tube gain(NO TRANSFORMERS)for LOMC. The majority of suggestions here do not fit the requirements. Looks like few understand the question. So far the following meet them- NVO & Aesthetix? My "cheap" used solution of my discontinued Fosgate. Let's see some gear that follows the OP's thread. I'm curious to see what's recommended. |
