Which Phono Pre?


Current system:
Dr. Feickert Blackbird TT
Kuzma 4-Point tonearm
Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum cartridge

Phono pre’s under consideration:
Pass Labs XP-27
Modwright PH-150
Luxman EQ 500
Wheat Audio PS.40RDT

What do you think would be the best match? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Ag insider logo xs@2xjjgasp
@ chakster - what cartridge would you recommend for my TT/tonearm combo?


Kuzma 4 Point effective mass is 18g

My recommendation is Audio-Technica AT-ML180 (MM) it was absolutely fantastic on my Reed 3P 12 inch with 18g effective mass. This is my favorite MM cartridge (and I tried so many MC and MM). If you want my personal recommendations - this is it! I invested $2k in original dead stock styli for back up, I’m packed for a long time with this gem. AT made two versions of cantilever: Gold-Plated Beryllium Pipe and Gold-Plated Boron Pipe. They made two different versions of the motor: LC-OFC and PC-OCC. The stylus tip on all versions is MicroLine (the best profile). Not sure if it’s possible to find a NOS AT-ML180 for less than $3k nowadays, but in my opinion this is real killer. Slightly cheaper versions is AT-ML170 which is also fantastic MM from my top 5.

Regarding LOMC I think you already have a good one, but personally I never tried your Koetsu cartridge, I could recommend Miyajima Kansui as an alternative (I love Miyajima for their organic sound).

Dear @jjgasp  : "   I’ll let you know once I get it setup and dialed-in "

Can I understand that you own that combo and not listen it yet?

Btw, you can't have any problem between tha RSP and the really good Kuzma tonearm. It's frequency resonance in between stays inside the ideal frequency range ( 8hz-12hz. ) with: 11hz.

That cartridge is very good performer, I own it and after own several Koestsu models this one was the first Koetsu that really shines and by coincidence was ( I think ? ) the first Koetsu with platinum magnets. Stay with no MM can be nearer except the MI ADC 26/27.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.


Dear @westcoastaudiophile : Yes, that Teac unit is accurated but its overall operation is in digital domain and works with op-amps. It's not a full analog discrete devices unit. I can't know what the OP could think about.

Certainly and even that's really inexpensive: not for me.

R.


Again, thanks everyone for your thoughts.  Great to have a place like this to get great opinions on esoterica.  

@rauliruegas - the tonearm and cartridge are on order.  I currently have a Pass Labs XP-17 phono pre, but want a phono pre that can handle two carts and has balanced output.