I need help regarding tube phono preamplifiers

I almost bought the Zesto Andros Deluxe II. I heard the original Andros at RMAF.

Even in a modest system it was my favorite sound at the show. I kept going back to that room and ended the show there.

I would definitely go for the Deluxe II. It has all the features of the twice expensive top line Zesto two box phono just only in one chassis and only able to take two cartridges not four. They both use very high end SUTs built in.

My ultimate decision was to buy the great Atma-Sphere MP 1. It is an amazing full function preamp that was designed with a built in phono stage that bests very pricy outboard phono stages including the ones you are considering and those twice the price. It is also a big one plus that I now don’t need another pricy IC and PC. Its line stage is also much more transparent than your Mac. But you may like the Mac house sound.

Dear @andyhifiman : " one of three possible all tube phono preamps..."

well, only the Rea and VAC are all tube phono stages. Been all tube designs means too that the cartridge signal must pass through many gain stages, around 4-5 in the REA and at least 6 stages in the VAC. At each stage the cartridge siggnal is degraded.

Both tube designs looks as good designs and good quality execution with good choice in passive parts. Btw, I don’t like tubes running a cartridge signal but this is me.

Now, you already own an average digital/analog control center that has as a " side line " facilities to handled cartridges. It does not matters which stand alone unit you will buy ( tube, hybrid or SS. ) the cartridge signal must goes through the C48 line stage and the quality level of the cartridge signal certainly will not be of the higher level of the stand alone phono stage but nothing more than the quality level in that C48 that ( sorry to say it. ) is just average. So do it you a favor and don’t " spend " good money where that money will be a " spend " and not a true quality level investment for your cartridge signal reproduction. Is up to you, it’s your money.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

Raul’s point about the C48 is well taken.

Luxman eq-500 will beat the pants off of any of those listed. 

Have had for some time a Tavish Design Adagio. Very flexible in it’s design and what you want at purchase. Can even choose your step up transformer and power supply. Mostly everything mentioned here is off the shelf stuff with a big price tag. Easy for tube rolling also which adds to it’s flexability. Good folks at Tavish. You actually can talk with them. Treated me well. Thus the plug.