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Looking for phono stage recommendations

I have recently ordered a Sota Cosmos, with a Tri-Planar VII arm and a ZYX Airy 3 cartridge. A friend of mine is interested in my Pass Labs Aleph Ono phono, so that leaves me with nothing (thanks a lot Paul)to use for my new frontend.

Several friends have made recommendations. The Pass Labs X-ono, the Manley Steelhead, ZYX phonostage, and a Supratek(?) have been recommended. The Zanden and Boulder are out of my price range, so don't bother...

Are there any other phonostages that I should consider. I don't have a preference of Solid State vs Tube.

I have used and/or heard the Krell KPA and KPE already and they're not really in the running. Not that there's anything wrong with them, they are very good, I'm just looking for something better.

I want something quiet that will work for low output cartidges.

HEEEEELP!
128x128nrchy
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
John,I totally agree with you,and was just offering up some overall insight into the possibility of, really, any heat based design.I happen to love the Aesthetix stuff,big time.I have a dedicated 13x22.5x8 ft room.A/C and heat/humidity are controlled by a dedicated system.No prob,but the room is sealed,and since it was added on,specifically for music(it was built with it's own roof as a separate addition,so there are 4 sidewalls that are exposed to the outside,except for a door entry from my den)it is quite sensitive to any heat generating source.I'm not complaining,and love the configuration,but if I were in my basement,there's no doubt any heat issue would be greatly reduced!Best of luck!
jafox
1,456 posts
 
Sirspeedy: Oh yes, having a room with an ambient temp much cooler than the rest of the house is a great benefit. But it's only a matter of time (3-4) hours until the amps take over the room. I then need to leave my basement to cool off when most people are heading to their basement to cool off. In any case, you and I are fortunate to have a dedicated room like this....heat and all.
John
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Have you looked at the TRON Syren tube pre and phono from the UK (www.tron-electric.com). It's had rave reviews from 6 moons and is thought to be better that the Kondo kit, but cost much less. I have the TRON Meteor (Syren predecessor) and this is fantastic.
superlowrised04f
1 posts
 
Have a look at the battery powered Sutherland PhD phono stage. Superb sound and very quiet. Worked great with both my Ortofon Jubilee and Denon DL103. Details on the PhD can be found at http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=11728

C.H.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy OP
2,124 posts
 
I have considered the Sutherland, but the report I heard back about it was that it lacked detail and dynamics.
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