Final Analog Upgrades
I've been on a three year upgrade path of my stereo equipment, and am nearly at the finish line. I have a SOTA Sapphire with the upgraded electronics, an Origin Live Silver tonearm, Hana EL cartridge,Jolida JD-9 phono stage, Modwright KWH225i and Sonus Faber Sonetto VIII speakers. I'm going to replace the Hana EL with a Hana SL cartridge, and I'm looking for a replacement for my venerable Jolida. Which phono stages are out there that will bring out the best of my equipment? I'd like to keep the phono stage under $1500. I've research previous threads on this subject and many of the recommended phono stages have been discontinued or new models introduced. I look forward to your thoughts on this subject.
Thanks,
John Cotner
New Ulm, MN
I've read good things about the SL as well. I'm sure you'll like it. I had people recommend a Darlington Labs phono stage. Seems like a lot of bang for the buck. I had a KC Vibe, but I was using it with a Goldring MM cartridge. I haven't heard it with a Hana cartridge. @lewm I'm going to stop mentioning the TZ Vibe except with the Hana ML. Thanks for pointing that out. |
If you're good with a phono stage on the warm side of sound, look no futher than the Hagerman Trumpet MC. Alternatively, you could opt for the Trumpet MM version and add either Piccolo MC or Piccolo Zero for the MC head-amp duties. That would allow for future flexibilities (e.g. experimenting with step-up transformers). |
Good luck though.