Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2

@rauliruegas

I personally have not investigated the purported benefits of a current design vs voltage design in the phono stage, however, most on this forum seem to indicate that a current design will be more precise and detailed due to the effect on the MC cartridge, if I’m not mistaken.
I personally, hold no bias towards either design, but I am simply looking to purchase the best sounding phono stage that isn’t insanely priced, given my system. No doubt, I will have to audition different items before purchase in order to make a reliable decision.
Thanks.

@rauliruegas 

Thanks for sharing the recommendation of the DSA phono III.  I think a few others had recommended that one as well, and I'm sure it's an excellent phono stage, but the first sentence of the review sums it up for me:  it is not the sonic equal of the CH Precision P1. . . 

Thanks. 

Rather than dwelling too much on Speciication, try to listen to them.

Another suggestion would be:

CS-Port

Allnic

Aries Cerat

@dover

Well, I finally had some time to read that review (from the links that you posted previously) of various high end phono stages, written in Chinese.

I think much must’ve been lost in translation, and after reading his review of the Manley Steelhead, I’m not sure how much credence I would give to this reviewer: he specifically says that the Manley is great for large orchestral pieces, and mediocre for piano and chamber music. My experience has been the exact opposite?! Listening to piano music through the Manley Steelhead, I have a hard time not believing that the piano is in the room with me, and a concert pianist, who has listened to my system, agrees! Chamber music is equally exceptional with the combination of the Manley Steelhead and the Dohmann Helix One Mk2.  (Perhaps the difference can be attributed to the NOS tubes that I'm using, as opposed to the stock tubes included in the Steelhead, or perhaps to system synergies.)

I found the reviewer’s conclusion by comparing the different phono stages to different types of idealized Chinese women quite difficult to relate to, being an American myself, but it was nonetheless intriguing.
The reviewer seemed to strongly favor the FM223, but recognized that it didn’t have enough gain for many systems. He also preferred the Trinity Phono Stage, and the Audio Note M3, although his descriptions of various advantages and disadvantages of the various phono stages was poorly worded in translation.

Nevertheless, thanks for sharing that review!