Best cost no object tube phono

@syntax said "for ME, it is like a „Equalizer“ ..after listening, I closed that chapter and never looked back"-- 


Interesting. What are you using now as your main phono stage? I still have the Allnic, only rolled the rectifier. It really works well in my system, although some looking for "more detail" find it "burnished."

Dear @syntax  :  Thank's to posted that because was and is the best audio experiences in my life.

That tour in USA gave me the rare opportunity to meet over 100 fabolous audio and MUSIC lovers/true audiophiles and through the tour I meet really incredible gentlemans: audiophiles, professional reviewers, audio manufacturers, an audio associatioon meeting and the biggest audio dealer in the San Diego area hosted my presentation. This dealer was a big one with 4 good demo rooms and even a small theater/auditory where we had terrific time. A learning experiences for all of us.
The tour gave me at the same time another rare opportunity that was to listen way different home systems from around 40K to over 300K and know/learn the quality level those gentlemans are accustom to listen the MUSIC reproduction. Almost all room/systems were with tubes electronics.
 Inclusive we had the opportunity  to have a dedicated shootout vs Dartzeel phonolinepreamp.

After the tour and in different dates two of those gentleamns started threads where not only the ones I meeted but several other agoners did it. You can read those threads.

I'm not an audio manufacturer I'm a hobbist about and even that after that tour 7 gentlemans unknowed for me bougth the Essential 3150/3160, they live in Asia, Europe and USA.

Formidable experiences, unforgetable no matters what.

Btw, I named my personal unit Essential 3180 because it has at least two important upgrades from the 3160. All those customers are satisfied with.

And you know what: unfortunatelly you will never have the experience to listen/own the 3180. You can't even imagine those quality high levels. Such is life.

Thank's again and enjoy what the life gives you every single day. Stay calm, don't distress because is bad for your health.

R.

Dear @whart  : If you have the money the best you can do for your MUSIC listen pleasure is at least buy the 123:

https://www.fmacoustics.com/products/phono-linearizers/fm-123/

As phono stage no tube electronics can't do it including Allnic or the one you can name it.

Only by " curiosity "  could be interesting the technical transistor bulletin and know whom is FM Acoustics:

https://www.fmacoustics.com/download-1/technical-bulletins/

The challenge to design and manufacture a true first rate SS phonolinepreamp is a huge challenge and that's why does not exist " hundreds " of different manufacturers with that kind of quality but with tubes things are a lot more easy and that's why are hundreds of manufacturers and thousands and thousands of people using tube electronics but not because are better.

Anyway, you can give you an opportunity through the FM Acoustics new experiences for your self.

Just an opinion,

R.

Hi @rauliruegas - thanks, I'm not in the market, I was curious about the EMT b/c I know a few people who have the unit but never heard it. @syntax thought it was colored.
The FM Acoustics line was always very expensive. At this point in my life, with my system, I'm not looking for the best in the world-- the system is very good and to my liking. I have been buying more recherché records and prefer to put my money into music, mainly older, often obscure vinyl. I like finding stuff off the beaten path. Sometimes, I strike gold, musically and sonically.
If I do any gear upgrades, I may eventually change out my Avantgarde Duos which are getting long in the tooth. Because I'm partial to the sound of the Lamm ML2 amp, I need a very sensitive speaker. As a long time electrostatic listener, I was able to quickly adapt to horns, which have an immediacy like a good electrostatic with a different set of trade-offs. I'll leave the FM Acoustics stuff for those still on the climb. Me-- I'm getting older and less in acquisition or upgrade mode -- much love for the old records, though. Thanks for your thoughts....

Hi @rauliruegas - thanks, I'm not in the market, I was curious about the EMT b/c I know a few people who have the unit but never heard it. @syntax thought it was colored.

It is. The EMT is old school sound from the 50's and beyond, it lacks the speed and transparency of most of the top phonos. The MC inputs are hampered by SUT's that restrict the performance of many MC's.