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Phono preamp suggestions; can I improve upon my Aesthetix Rhea Sig ?

I have just ordered a new VPI HW-40 with a Van Den Hut Crimson Stradivarius cart.  I'm now wondering if I need to upgrade my Rhea phono pre? Have already made improvements with NOS tubes.  Have looked at the Pass XP-27. Also I see the Coincident Speaker Technology Statement was just awarded product of the year award from AS.    Any thoughts?

128x128skinzy
grk
223 posts
 

Personally. I would stick with the Rhea for a while, at least until the VPI and Van den Hul have broken-in and you have a good feel for the sonics. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy the sound with your new TT and  cartridge with the Rhea Signature and NOS tubes. That is a mighty fine phono stage set up! I wouldn't be too hasty to find something else that ultimately may prove to be just a sideways move. One of the "traps" of being an audiophile is looking too far ahead at your next purchase/upgrade without fully appreciating what you already have.

ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 

I would agree with multiple folks recommending waiting until all is received and broken in. Then start thinking about the phono stage.depending on how you feel about the sound at that time, I think then start looking for a phono stage. I think you could find a much better one. Pass is great at a lot of things, but my first thought would be Audio Research, Presto, Of others for a phono stage. Really high quality and natural sounding, consider a tubed phono stage. Phono stages are really important, as I think you know.

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
768 posts
 

Wait. Let the table settle in, then upgrade the Phono stage. Then again, with inflation at 9 1/2%……

alucard19
362 posts
 

With that new set up you might want to look into the Whest Audio Triton Pro or save a little and get the PS.40RDT Special Edition. either of these could be your end game phono pre.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,895 posts
 

I borrowed a Colibri XGW, nice cart. It was of the clean / neutral camp somewhat akin to the Ortofon A90 and not as warm / thick as the Koetsus or even Benzes. I enjoyed it with my VAC tube MM stage and an EAR MC-3 SUT. Both of which add "flesh to the bones" of a cartridge, so to speak. I don't think I'd enjoy it as much with a leaner sounding setup or SS phono stage. So your tubed Aesthetix might be a good match. If you want to experiment further, consider adding a nice SUT (probbly not a Lundahl amorphous core though - they are too lean for the VdH) and running it into the Rhea set at 44dB / 47k. 

Very nice setup. The VdH sounds great, back on my friend's VPI 12" 3D arm & HRX again - just heard it again today. 

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