Best Phono Stage


Hi all,

I need some advise on a really good sounding phono stage to go with MC turntable set up in the $5k or so bracket. I am completely new to vinyl and realise there a lot here in terms of arm/cart matching MC,MM and I think moving iron but if you could point me in the direction of some good sounding units I can investigate compatibility etc. I don’t own a table or cart yet. I was looking at the Zesto Audio 1.2.

My goal is a liquid engaging sound with deep tight bass and air and separation on top.

Thanks in advance.

Sean

128x128lance23

Listen to some who experienced reviewer  vrs someone pushing what they have😵‍💫  

@jew16384 

It's not all that bad hearing someone's review of the equipment they own.  Sure it can be bias but also there are alot of good reasons why they own it.  

Posted just wo days ago, by wolfie62 (see below), in another thread.  It seems that his reference system is an integrated amp from 1980.  Nothing wrong with that, I'm all for people enjoying to their fullest possible extent.  I just don't like to see people say they have a $200K system, telling others they are wasting their money if not spending great sums on their system, and in reality, have nothing greater of their own than a vintage integrated amp.  And the kicker, that this 1980 integrated amp is "world class", including its phono pre.  I usually don't post a response like this, but when a "loud-mouth" speaks up it's only fair to everyone else by exposing who they really are.

 

I’ll keep using my 1980 SAE Two A14 Integrated. Designed in CA, manufactured by Luxman. Dual mono construction. A real sleeper! Parametric tone controls, world class amp and MM/MC phono pre. 

You should consider purchasing an Audio File or Stereo Review magazine for their issues on best equipment of the year. Listen to some who experienced reviewer vrs someone pushing what they have

Welcome to 1995....

 

 

Well @wolfie62 , you seem to be Mr. Deep Pockets. But you also had this to say:

 

To get really good, satisfying, enjoyable vinyl playback needn’t be expensive.

 

I have 18 turntables, all legacy designs. I have 130 vintage cartridges. I have 5,000 LPs.

Anyone who says you must spend $2K+ on a table, $2K+ on a cartridge, $2K+ on a phono pre,  $2K+ on a record cleaner, is high as a kite!

A vintage table of $400, a vintage cart of $200, hand cleaning your records, and using the built-in phono pre of a competent $300 vintage receiver is all you need to reap full enjoyment from a collection of vinyl.

Don’t overthink or over spend this. It just isn’t necessary.

 

Something seems rotten in the state of Denmark......