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Phono amp recommendations

I am thinking of upgrading my phono amp and would like recommendations in a sub $2000 phono stage. I don't even have an "A" list yet and will build it off of others recommendations and some listening of course. I have a Nottingham Spacedeck with the New AceSpace arm, shelter 501 II, Belles Auricap 21A pre and ref. 150A poweramp. Dynaudio Special 25 speaker with Shunyata Gemini speaker and Aries interconnects. I love acoustic music, look a bit more towards warmth than detail. I listen to about 65%vinyl, 34% CDP and 1% wondering what I am going to listen to next. I listen to a wide variety of music, strong leaning to jazz, bluegrass, blues, acoustic rock and popular music, some classical pieces as well. Thanks for your input. Oh, I currently use a Dynavector P75 which is a great little amp, I am just thinking my other equipment could give me a little more with a nicer phono stage.
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theo's avatar
theo
2,680 posts
 
Just 2 cents here. I owna Linn Linto and just tried the Ayre PH5 for the weekend and well I gotta save the dough but it was much better than the Linn. Stereophile rates the Linn above the Ayre but I disagree. The Ayre sells for 2350 but maybe your local dealer could cut you a deal. It has a great soundsatge. Full range with a very natural sound. It is like it isn't there in the signal path at all. Again just my 2 cents.
audio_blow_hard
25 posts
 
You should listen to the Art Audio Vinyl I. Some have two inputs for MM and MC cartridges. Should smoothe out the Belles a little bit but still have tremendous extension both ends. A little under the radar but nice reviews out on them. I have a friend who is selling all his stuff who may be selling his if you are interested.
david12
1,454 posts
 
3rd or is it 4th for the KandK, buy it in kit form at $1550, or built for about $1900. I have'nt heard a steelhead or Aesthetix, but the KandK is the one I will be keeping. Detailed, even across the freuency spectrum, but not fatiguing.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
Yes, the K&K. I posted this many moon ago, but a bunch of us auditioned the K&K against SEVERAL units both SS and tube some time ago (and that was before the uprgaded K&K) at a local audio haunt, most of the units mentioned above not excpeted. It outperformed everything short of an IO Signature (on the order of 5x the cost). It got to the point where the haunt owner half-jokingly said, "tell very few about this piece and none locally."

I have yet to hear ANYONE say anything bad about this piece (if they've actually heard one), and that might be the loudest testimonial of all.
john_tracy
341 posts
 
If you go the K&K route, do yourself a favor and buy a pair of Herbies Tube Dampers. They really do take the sound up another notch. It also benifits fram frequent frequency sweeps using the Cardas set-up record.
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