Art Audio Vinyl one vs Sutherland PhD

You might also look for a used Acoustech Ph-1 or Ph-1P. They are not battery powered but are designed and built by the same guy (Sutherland) that builds and markets the PhD.

I have heard a few complaints that the PhD is "not exciting" but I haven't heard it. So I don't know if that's accurate or not. I had an Acoustech Ph-1 and loved it.

The Ph-1 goes for about $650 used and the Ph-1P for about $850 used. The Ph-1P is the same design as the Ph-1 but with improved components.

If you care about those things, the Ph-1 is a Stereophile Class B rated phono stage and the Ph-1P is a Class A rated phono stage. The Ph-1P is still for sale new at $1,500.

David12,
With all due respect the K&K and Vinyl Reference are 2 different animals and far from a "near match". They share the same physical appearance but the similarities end there.

The Vinyl Reference uses a shunt regulated power supply as opposed to a generic design. The Vinyl Reference uses Caddock top of the line 1% metal film resistors throughout, top of the line Cardas caps, V-Cap teflon caps, and on and on. The K&K uses generic parts. The cost in parts of the power supply, caps, and resistors alone exceeds $1500.

I encourage you to call or email Kevin or Joe Fratus if you have any questions.

Disclaimer: Art Audio retailer

I'll chime in with a vote for the K&K as a great value and outperformer. It's dead quiet in my system and it makes beautiful music.. very unmechanical sounding. The selectable load switch is a convenient feature.

I've heard the Vinyl One and it's also very nice - exceptional soundstaging and lively dynamics.

Audoifiel
I never said the 2 units were the same, but the circuit design is basically common to both, though the tube compliment is not. For price, you have to compare the K&K with the vinyl 1, which I have, though not side by side. In my view, though the Vinyl 1 is a very good unit, the K&K is streets ahead.

David,
Your words were "near match" and those were the words I used. I never said "the same". Is that not correct?

In your original post you compared the K&K to the Vinyl Reference. I articulated some of the many differences.

Now based on price you are comparing the K&K to the Vinyl 1.

What precisely is your point?