Feickert Volare + Shick 9 + Hana Umami Red


Just pulled the trigger on Dr. Feickert's Volare base, Shick 9 in. tonearm, and Hana Umami Red cart. Anyone else running the same or a similar rig? I'm upgrading from a Rega P6 + Hana SL cart. I expect the new rig to outperform the Rega by several orders of magnitude. Will have it in a couple of weeks. Until then I'll continue waiting for this pot to boil.     

128x128jkirsch

Check out the Zesto phono stages for that set up. I have a similar rig but Blackbird running an Andros Deluxe II. But George is just introducing a lower cost version that should fit your budget and be excellent. I think tubes are better at picking up electrons for low output MC carts. 

Thanks! I'm looking at the Zesto Andros 1.2. The deluxe is a little pricey for me right now given that I just dropped about $10k on the new analog rig. The Zestos are all beautiful and highly regarded, so Zesto is a top contender. And the Andros 1.2 is currently on sale, down from $4.7k to $3.2k. It's almost like I must buy it at that price.

I'm also looking at a Primaluna tube phonostage. (https://upscaleaudio.com/products/primaluna-evo-100-tube-phonostage?_pos=1&_sid=fa016fdbf&_ss=r). I've had great luck with Primaluna.

Otherwise, I'm open to all suggestions! 

But here's the foundational question I keep asking myself: Should I go with a tube or solid-state phonostage? I have an all-tube integrated amp (Primaluna Evo 300) and solid-state integrated amp (T+A PA 2500 R). The T+A is clearly the better overall amp, but I couldn't bring myself to part with the Primaluna. It makes certain records, especially vocal-centric and acoustic music, sound better than any integrated I've heard. I wonder about the difference between running a tube v. solid-state phonostage to each the T+A and Primaluna integrateds. Seeing that my primary amp is the solid-state T+A, I think a tube phonostage would round out the setup nicely. 

"I'm also looking at a Primaluna tube phonostage"

Mine is a week old. Found a barely used one at significant discount.

I have  a tubed unit in the shop, originally was getting an inexpensive SS unit for the time being. PL was an impulse buy because of price/brand reputation.

To my ears its everything the reviews(not many) mention.  It is quieter than my Fosgate. SQ is about the same until a side by side comparison is done. 

If you're a press your ear against the speaker type to listen for tube hiss, go with  something other than the PL. Otherwise, the performance/build is what to expect from the brand.

Years ago, I demoed that Zesto model in my setup. That's an okay price, but they show up now and then used for less.