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What phono stage candidates should I consider?

I will be taking delivery of a new linestage, the Emotive Audio Epifania (tube-based), which will be replacing a Mark Levinson Ref. No. 32 that has a built-in phono stage. I am therefore in the market for a new phono stage. My cartridge is a Lyra Titan, which is mounted on a Basis Vector arm/Basis Debut (vacuum) table combination.

I can, realistically, only review a small number of candidate linestages in my own system, so I need to determine which stages to consider. If I find one that I like, I will go with it and I do not plan on driving myself crazy chasing after the "best."

Some of the relevant details about the Titan are as follows: It is rated at .5mV output and has an internal impedance of 5.5 ohms. Lyra specifies loading of 10 ohms to 47k ohm (they recommend the higher end of the range, i.e, unloaded). If mated to a step up transformer, they recommend 4-6 ohms, not exceeding 10 ohms.

One of the candidates I am looking at is the Artemis PL-1 phono stage. It is a tube-base unit that utilizes a transformer to step up the voltage. I don't know which model of transformer they use, but the brand is a Sowter (my guess is the 1:20 model specified for cartridges with a 3-15 internal impedance).

I can also get in for audition a Ray Samuels Emmeline. I will also be borrowing a friend's phono stage that is made locally, in the Washington D.C. area, by Deja Vu Audio (tube based/Jensen transformer or a more expensive model with Audionote trannies).

I am looking for any comments as to which candidates to consider and any helpful detail of experience mating the Titan with a good phono stage. I do hope to keep cost under $8,000 or so, if that is possible.

Thanks.
larryi
ferrari
617 posts
 
If you can afford the FM Acoustic phono preamp, that will put you in very elite company. Their client list is a virtual whos, who of the music industry. If you can get the serial number, you may find who it was made for. All FM Acoustic pieces are custom made one at a time for the specific client. This is the creme de la creme of all audio gear. While I was at a major record label, we had a few of those. Nothing and I mean nothing is better, it stands alone as the pinnacle of all audio gear.
gregm
3,405 posts
 
I second (or is it third) the FM acoustics -- if you want a branded product that is. It's outstanding.
You've noticed that it's also very expensive, of course.
Otherwise, if you're into diy, try conning Raul into giving you the schematics for his phono:)
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
Well there are a few out there, but when honest, we all have different tastes, means, what I think is good is not right for the next and so on. I tried and listened to a few Phono Stages, I have a Basis rig too and listened to some Lyra's, for me is overall a Klyne 7 Phono hard to beat. It is adjustable and it's sound is like breathing: Natural. I listen to it a few years now, had others here, but the Klyne survived all. The Pass is way too cold sounding, super detail, but after a while I couldn't listen to it anymore. I listened to FM Acoustics, but I heard from one owner that he changed to Klyne, another outstanding one from the sound is the Lamm LP2. I have a friend who uses the big Boulder Phono, but guess what, only with a Step up unit before. I couldn't believe it but: It is endless ....
tubes108
153 posts
 
Another outstanding though little known phonostage is made by Viva. It is a 2 chassis unit with an innovative power supply that uses a 300B tube as a rectifier. The sonics when used with my Duos were addictively fabulous. Excellent top, bottom, and midrange, timbre was very realistic and dynamics were also a strong attribute. The unit works well with low output cartridges (no stepup needed) and runs very quiet.
larryi OP
4,043 posts
 
More great ideas thanks! I did not know that Viva makes a phono stage. I've heard their latest amps, which I think sound pretty good, which is an encouraging sign. I think I have a channel to get in the Viva.

The Klyne is also an interesting recommendation. I heard it many years ago in a very nice sounding system. I was also impressed with the impeccable build quality of the unit.
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