Given what you’re looking for I’d put Allnic high on your list of models to explore. Best of luck in finding what you’re looking for. Or, better yet, have your friend build you another one of his phono preamps!
Phono pre amp recommendations? - upgrading from ICON AUDIO PS1 MK II
hey everyone, I am kindly asking for your phono pre amp recommendations, especially if you have experience with my current amp (icon audio PS1 MKII).
for the first time in my audio journey right now my system is so close to perfect (to my ears) and im incredibly happy about that. my current set up is Marantz tt15 turntable with dynavector 20x2 cartridge, primaluna prologue premium integrated and elysian 4 speakers. its very transparent, detailed, smooth, open, and in my opinion pretty neutral. when I swapped out my phono pre amp for one that my friend made(also tube design), it was like everything came to life, I couldn’t believe I was listening to the same system as I was 5 minutes ago. everything had more weight, and was more life like, it was darker and yet more lively, the vocals jumped out in front: so detailed and life like yet smooth and warm and not edgy or sharp or fatiguing like I often hear. it is currently the sound I am chasing (my friend will not sell this amp, or make another one like it, some friend huh?).
can anyone recommend a phono pre in the 3-4k range that can accomplish most or at least some of these qualities? my conclusions are that the icon audio is great, tonnes of headroom, detail, smooth, super quiet, big soundstage, but that it is too neutral for my ears and system and not warm enough, or its too polite, it seems to disappear in the system which may be a great quality for some.
does anyone have experience with this amp and can make a recommendation for an amp that has more warmth richness and weight (and forwardness?) in the midrange without giving up the other qualities I mentioned? I’m not looking for that vintage mushy sweet tube sound, more looking for what I have with just a hint more of that magic lol.
a couple of amps I am looking into are the modwright ph9, lab12 melto 2, and Allnic h-5500 (although a bit out of my budget).
I would appreciate and advice you can give me or any experience you can share with me.
thanks so much
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I would recommend the most current Audio Research phonostage you can find. SP8 would be great… or SP7 or SP6. For me the SP8 finally completely removed the phono stage from the equation and no longer held back my turntable.
Audio Research has been known for their audiophile phonostages and preamps for decades. Detailed, dynamic and musical. |
Those are full function preamps. The SP7 is solid state. I think @ghdprentice is really recommending the PH6/7/8 phono stages. |
@palutena Tighten up on this investigation and let the Forum know the Valves used in the Friends Phon', in general these will be a healthy proportion of the sonic that captivated you. I feel confident it was not from a obscure Valve Type, but interesting if it was, it might be even easier to home in on the Circuit used. |
- 45 posts total