Recommendations for MM Phono ~ Tube or Solid State

Dear @lalitk : " don’t overlook or discount the user preferences. "

" audio reproduction is highly subjective. " " Some prioritize detail and accuracy, while others value warmth and emotional engagement. "

and I can post several other statements coming from you where only confirm that your ears/subjectivity is what command your way of thinking and that’s you.

I respect your pount of view the controversy between you and me is that even today just does not understand which is my overall point of view where what I like or what could be my preference it does not matters as main target but the important main and critical target that I fail to transmit here is that I’m talking of WHAT SHOULD BE it does not matters if I like it or not ( my self ).

If what SHOULD BE does not like it in my room/system that tells me that somewhere in the room/system chain is just not " playing " rigth that something is wrong. Obviously with a good recorded LP’s, and needs to find out where and fix it.

Your 100% subjectivity can’t " compete " or be a serious challenge against some us audiophiles that some way or the other try to mantain an equilibrium between objectivity and subjectivity. Atmasphere posted around that scenario in very good terms and between others gentlemans I’m thinking in @lewm and @mijostyn too.

I have to say that it’s not easy mantain those equilibrium because sometimes ( not usually ) subjectivity " has " more weigth.

Detail, accuracy, emotional and several other terms are intrinsec to the MUSIC live MUSIC, however warmth is a full subjective adjective. Live MUSIC seated at nearfield position is everything you want but warmth. Yes, recorder engineering on porpose can make the LP warmth on some tracks or MUSIC score but that does not means is rigth because that is not whatttttt Should BE. We can’t deceit the Objectivity but in the other side almost every day we are deceiting subjectivity in each one preferences. Subjectivity could change day by day depending on you mood that day however objectivity does not.

Yes, the majority of audiophiles including you just does not care of that: SHOULD BE and this is precisely what I’m talking about in this thread and other Agon threads in at least 15+ years.

All those are the differences between your posts and mine.

R.

Atmasphere, Since your MP1 is inherently a high gain phono section with no need for a SUT, when have you heard it with a SUT? I know there is an option to convert the dual differential cascode input stage into a simpler dual differential input stage, in order to reduce phono gain.  Was it in such a set-up that you then inserted a SUT?

@rauliruegas 

I appreciate the exchange of ideas, and while we may not see eye to eye on this matter, I respect your perspective. It seems we’ll have to agree to disagree, and that’s perfectly fine—after all, differing viewpoints are what make these discussions so engaging and valuable.

I’ve always approached this hobby with an open mind, and that mindset has served me well over the years. It’s allowed me to explore, learn, and refine my system without bias. I see no compelling reason to change an approach that continues to bring me both growth and enjoyment.

Def check out Regas new MM cartridge

'Unique generator. Rega 3 point mounting system. Highly rigid lightweight PPS body. Handmade stereo cartridge. 100% recyclable packaging. Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects. Nd Magnet technology. Often used in Moving Coil designs (including our own) we believe the Nd3 is the first moving magnet to utilise a Neodymium (Nd) N55 magnet.'

I'm throwing in a vote for Barry Thornton's Austin Audio Black Swan MM/MC phono pre.  Unprepossessing, to say the least, little black box, all the dials you could ever want on the front, under $1800 and incredibly neutral and given to on-the-fly adjustment.  An audition may change your mind about a lot of things.  In my system it seems as invisible as I never thought possible, but if visual appeal for your friends' admiration is important, go ahead and spend more.  A lot more maybe, but likely better spent elsewhere.