3k Phono preamp upgrade options (JC3+, XP-17, etc)

I just received the PH 9.0 earlier today. I did some AB testing with my Clearaudio Nano V2, and the differences are incredible (as they should be!).

For starters, the detail of the ModWright is in another league compared to the Nano, the nuances and subtleties of vocals are there, which I didn't realize was being lost when using the Nano. This aspect wasn't what impressed me the most, as I'm sure that the JC3+ or Stellar Phono would have provided this level of detail as well.

When I compare the ModWright to the Nano regarding 'realism' it's shocking how 'life-like' the ModWright sounds. I've tried some tube headphone amps years back, and never felt moved by them. WIth the PH 9.0, I'm blown away by how natural and real the sound is. Previously the Nano sounded more like my digital, but less detailed. With the ModWright, it's very detailed while the sound just flows in an organic way.

Lastly, the change in soundstage really took me by surprise. The width of it increased substantially, and it now feels like I'm inside the soundstage, rather than observing it. Almost as if I could walk into it. 

I really don't know how much better it can get with the PH 9.0X upgrade, but there's a very high chance that I upgrade it in a year or so. In the mean time I'm on the lookout for some new tubes, as I'm uncertain how old the current tubes are.

@blisshifi Regarding the 6C45s, is this the correct one? (I shortened ebay url) I know there are many variations of the same tube, so if you could confirm that would be great.

https://tinyurl.com/isthis6C45

And for the 6922s you also liked Reflektors?
https://www.thetubestore.com/6h23n-eb-6922
 

Also I wanted to mention that I'm shocked by how quiet this phono stage is, I'm incredibly impressed with it 😁

@riskymilk I am so glad you decided to move forward with this unit and are happy with the results. It truly is a superb phono stage in its price range.

The second link you shared is accurate for the 6922 substitution, but I would be careful of the first link to the 6C45s. The imagery does not clearly depict a rocket above the silver lettering. It might be there, but if I were you I would want to seek assurance that they are authentic. 

@riskymilk Perhaps look into these. It’s a quad but at least you have backups if one ever dies. It’ll be harder to source them down the road.

6C45s from Ukraine

I've been pretty happy with my 6111 based Quad 24p, but now having two tables, one with a low output cartridge, I have a Rek-O-Kut switch and an extra set of interconnects in the signal path. I also have to use the 'sensitivity' knob on the back and the MM/MC switch, which were probably specified by Quad to be low-use items, rather than something that might get turned or flipped after each side of an album. So when I initially misdiagnosed a sound in one speaker as coming from the phono stage I jumped at a barely used Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl I have had my eye on, for <3kCDN. Pity it turned out to be the Quad 2905 arcing yet another panel. Anyway, in a few days I'll have it. I very much like what MF did with the X-Can V3 (listening through it right now), so I'm betting the Nu-Vista Vinyl has the same kind of sound.

@riskymilk I went from a Pass XP-15 to a PH 9.0X. I also experienced
a wider soundstage and better detailed presentation. In my system,
the 9.0X is quieter. The XP-15 is excellent, but overall I prefer the MW.
Also, no more dip switches is a big plus for me