Voltage mode vs current mode phono stages

@lewm , I looked at the BMC and read Fremer's review. The current price is $4800.00 which is not bad at all. They are built in China.

Comparing the BMC to the Seta + is relatively easy in regard to their physical attributes. The BMC is very nice looking although some would argue that the on-off switch(that huge knob in the center) is a little over-baked. The Seta + is industrial looking in comparison. Inside the units is a different story. The BMC uses through hole phenolic boards and the Seta + SMD construction on fiberglass boards. The BMC uses standard regulated power supplies (good ones) while the Seta + uses  lead acid batteries and a charging system that disconnects from the unit when in use, perfect isolation. The Seta + is made in America and costs over $9K with the optional RIAA board. Made in America covers the price differential. 

Fremer reviewed an older version of the BMC and liked it very much. He also reviewed the the Seta's little brother the Lino C which he also liked very much. I suspect both units are excellent phono stages and would have been SOTA if they were three times the price. I am in the same boat Lew is in. I really like the idea of a current mode phono stage but am not going to spend silly money on the CH Precision unit. I do not need the added complexity and it is a very complex unit and I do not feel like spending money on complexity. But I would bet dollars to donuts that blinded, few of us if any could reliably tell the difference between the three stages. Mr Fremer would argue with that, but he has better hearing than I have. 

Mr Fremer would argue with that, but he has better hearing than I have. 

Really? I spoke to him at Axpona and he could hardly hear me, had to repeat myself like 10 times. 😉

Fremer by and large has better equipment than most of us have, not necessarily better hearing.  He's old, like we are.  Like I said before, what is the big deal about SMD components?  Good for op amps in circuits with very very wide bandwidth but not necessarily an audible upgrade with a phono stage.  That said, the quality of construction of the Seta circuit does appear to be very high, judging only from photos.  I've not seen the innards of a BMC. I'm not buying any time soon, or maybe ever.

Dear @lewm ​@mijostyn   : " what is the big deal about SMD components?  Good for op amps in circuits with very very wide bandwidth but not necessarily an audible upgrade with a phono stage.   "

Really? because it's precesily where the SMD can helps especiaLLY IN THE riaa CIRCUIT WHERE NORMALLY IS NOT DEVELOPED HIGH TEMPERATURE. wITH smd parts THE SIGNAL " RUNS " a way shorter path and in a phono circuit that's important.

Several months now I told you to change the attenuators in your phonolinepreamp for attenuators with the same Swiss mechanism but with SMD parts. I don't know if you did it and if not then do it and latter on come back with muyjost to comment about. Till you try it and almost as always everything belongs to your " imagination " that's wider than mine because I always try and make tests.

Regard and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

IMO, informed by imagination and. some high ( as in orbital and beyond ) end electronics fabrication experience, you want a designer fluent in: point to point, boards, multi-layer boards..and SMD and integrated circuits. Helps if they have ears also. 

Carry on…..