What phono preamp are you using?


Anyone using a Soundsmith cartridge? And if so what phono preamp are you using? (Individuals with other cartridges feel free to chime in!)
james1911

I'm using a SoundSmith Zephyr MK III with a Coda 06x phono stage. Outstanding.

I run a Parasound JC 3 Jr. with a Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.  I like the combination very much, but I expect to eventually ujpgrade the phonostage.

 

I’m running my Soundsmith Paua2 es into a Modwright PH 9.0X (set to 470 ohms) with Valvo E88cc NOS tubes from 1964. These tubes have proven to be the absolute best with some close runner ups, such as the NOS Bel/India 6922 made by Philips, Siemens NOS E88cc and Amperex JAN 6922 NOS in that order. All of the above proved a bit better than the Amperex PQ Holland 7308 NOS tubes and all of them are much better than every current production tube that I tried. Some of the above tubes sound better with Herbies RX or Halo tube dampers, and some without. I can’t imagine it getting any better than this, ime. 

Been through a few until I settled on the Channel Islands Audio PEQ, and the upgraded power supply. A Nagaoka MP-200 sending the signal. Fairly convinced I’d have to spend around $5k to get noticeably better sound from the phono stage.

I’m using a Gold Grace F-9 cartridge with a Soundsmith nude Ruby OCL stylus.

I’m very excited to be getting a brand new Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp within the next several weeks!