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Thinking about an Audio Research PH5

Am I nuts? This is a $2000 piece that I can probly get a good deal on from my local dealer since I'm a good customer.My TT is a music Hall MMF9 that they sold me at a Big discount mainly because the MMF7 I originally purchased was defective. Is this overkill for this TT or will I be able to hear a difference. My current pre-amp was tweaked by an Agoner last year at a cost of $550. It's an Adcom and the tweak was noticable. The appeal of the Music Hall was the lack of constant tinkering involved. Is this a good move or should I keep saving for a better rig? My main amp is an Audio Research 150.2 and my main speakers are JM Lab Electra 926's. Thanks for the input!
john_fink
etbaby
138 posts
 
Buy an SP16 with the phono built in. I think this will give you the best of both worlds-A very good line section and a good phono for about $2000.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
You may want to consider a used Audible Illusions Modulus Pre w/phono.
They're very good, widely available and inexpensive. The overall sound through the phono is a bit warmer than ARC (and a bit noisier) but, on balance you may prefer it to an all ARC set up (I did).

No shot at ARC intended here, I stilll use an ARC SP25 and VT130se, but have inserted an Aesthetix phono stage. The Modulus lives on in a second (actually fifth) system in the bedroom.

Good Luck.

Marty
john_fink OP
140 posts
 
Thanks for all the input. My local dealer is going to let me try an ARC SP16 pre. We'll see what happens. Thanks.
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