2. amps-preamps
  3. 190054-181705

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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audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,017 posts
 

Tavish design adagio, however there is a waiting list. It’s a reference component in a few stereophile reviewers systems, Herb Reichert and Ken McCullough. I own the classic model, and have no need to upgrade as it sounds great, especially when used in conjunction with my Jensen SUT, which by the way, the adagio employs (Jensen sourced transformers).

For a lot cheaper, you could grab the music hall analougue A3 tubed phono preamp. Go read the stereophile review on that one, reviewer; Herb Reichert. I own one and it sounds fabulous, especially when Connected straight to a power amp of your choice, as it has a built in alps volume control. 

dentdog's avatar
dentdog
486 posts
 

Have had just a few phono preamps, will say the BAT VK p 10 had the most weight. Dynamics were off the chart but mine became noisy and BAT said the age of it-20 years- precluded any worthwhile attempts to correct that.

Now own an Allnic H 7000 and BAT REX 2 preamp and run the system balanced throughout. Gives me everything. And some. The Allnic is quiet, beautiful timbres but until I went balanced the weight and depth of soundatage was not all I had hoped for. That problem has been solved.

vinylshadow
435 posts
 

ASR Basis Exclusive HV battery powered phono preamp.

https://asraudio.de/phono-vorverstaerker.html

j-wall's avatar
j-wall
355 posts
 

@dentdog ​​​​​​ Tell us more about going balanced with the Allnic! I was under the impression Kang Su Park implemented his circuits to be run single ended, but offered the balanced option for convenience. I believe I heard this from a dealer and he mentioned the "magic was lost". I don’t take it as gospel or truth, but I wrote off running balanced because of that knowledge. Comparing my H-3000 to a transimpedance phono, I’ve noticed the H-3000 does sound a little recessed and doesn’t have as much detail and is very relaxed. Does going balanced help with this or do you have any opinions?

dentdog's avatar
dentdog
486 posts
 

Had my doubts as well. Actually thought I might look at a more recent BAT phono given my prior experience. Whether it was the BAT Rex or the going balanced throughout my impression was that the presence overall as well as the weight of presentation improved in a big way. It took the relaxed nature of the Allnic,and I agree with you there, and put some muscle behind it.

Going balanced helped with everything. At the other end I have Audiopax M 100s also single ended with balanced connections. Of course balanced in both instances requires a transformer. Can't see KS Park using substandard transformers.  I can only surmise that both the Allnic and the Audiopax transformers are high quality. Regardless, many things fell into place and the overall SQ has taken a big leap. 

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