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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
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.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy OP
2,124 posts
 
sirspeedy, in Wisconsin we don't typically worry too much about heat. It's usually the lack of heat that's a concern. I have a basement listening room so it tends to stay cooler there anyway...
gilbodavid
62 posts
 
I have an ear 834p and a fi phono (mm only). Have decided to sell ear as fi is slightly less veiled and instruments are more solidly in the room with fi, and fi is seriously visually cool (3 fins). tested using grado platinum cart, black widow arm, lenco l75 modded tt, nuance pre, leak tl12+ monoblocks and quad esl57 speakers. since upgraded leaks to home made triode monos. Yummy. Ps prefered OL Silver with Denon103 in above setup, but need a step up for the fi. Ear 834p's can be extensively modded with great results. Lost the link, but a bit of websearching will reveal.
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nrchy OP
2,124 posts
 
I haven't sent the money yet, but it looks like I will end up with the Pass Labs X-Ono. It was very well reviewed, and the friend who owns it say it is fantastic. If it's better than my Aleph Ono I will be happy, and by all accounts it is quite a bit better. Wish me luck...
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