2. analog
  3. 175498-9347

Looking for a tube phono pre

Looking for a tube phono pre in the 2500 to 3k price range. Currently running a Sutherland Insight LPS. Using a PrimaLuna EVO 400 integrated and VPI Prime scout with Hana ML. I have a Chinook on order at Upscale but they are dragging their feet and I have read some reliability issue post with the Chinooks, so I can cancel the order. Anyone compare the Rogue to a Chinook? Thanks

jmphotography
vinylvalet
920 posts
 

The Black Ice Audio Fusion F159 is half the price of the Chinook and has electronic azimuth adjustment which the Chinook does not. Sound quality is outstanding, especially if you can't or do not know how to adjust azimuth properly, giving the F159 an advantage over any other phono stage.

johnss
602 posts
 

I have had two chinooks. very reliable, Never had any issues with either. 

If you can stretch your budget to 3500, would suggest you pick up a used VTL TP 6.5 series 1. Super excellent sounding phono stage. 

tablejockey
4,016 posts
 

A used unit at your max budget will get a very good unit.

This BAT unit is worth checking out

You can also send it back to have it upgraded to hyper status. There a few other interesting tube units in the listings-Cary, Icon. Also an older but possibly "better" BAT for less

 

lewm
13,518 posts
 

What the heck is “electronic azimuth adjustment “?

tablejockey
4,016 posts
 

"What the heck is “electronic azimuth adjustment ?"

lewm-

I almost purchased one a couple years ago as a back up.

Copied from distributor page:

Back Story of the F 159:
The author of the F159 is Jim Fosgate. Foz’s electronic design experience and excellence spans decades and coupled with Jolida’s decades of manufacturing experience, results in a unit which can provide our customers with a distinct improvement in turntable sound reproduction at an affordable price. In addition the phono pre-amplifier has a Fosgate designed Crosstalk Reduction Circuit (XT-R) which represents a distinctive electronic approach to solving crosstalk caused by a turntable’s cartridge and acoustic problems due to axial tilt. We have placed the name F159 to honor the designer who has built and tested 158 prototypes until finalizing his work in the 159th iteration. It is a classic Cascode circuit design and Jim has added a MOSFET to give the musical performance of tubes with the speed and detail of current solid state designs. Unlike most tube equipment it can product a perfect sine wave and uses zero negative feedback.

Actually an interesting unit for the price. The one I was looking at was sold. It's a hybrid. SS/tube. 

I use Foz's older signature all  tube unit.  This Black Ice caught my attention because of the Foz association.

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