cartridge Benz, Koestu, Lyra

Dear Mcrheist: The price tell us almost nothing about the quality sound reproduction on almost any audio device.

The subject is not price but design and design fulfilment.

Do you think that the PH5 is in the same performance league that FM Acoustics, ASR or Dtarzeel ?.

Btw, it will be a pleasure to meet you and to meet your friends, please e-mail me.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Hi Raul,

I have not had the good fortune to be able to audition or hear any of the phono preamps that you mention (FM Acoustics is represented by a local dealer that I do not purchase from; ASR nor darTZeel have local dealer representation, that I am aware of). Nor do any of my local audio friends own either of the three. But, of the phono preamps that I have heard, some of which cost up to 2 to 2.5 times more than the PH5, I can tell you that the PH5 is a worthy contender. A great bang for the buck. Now does it compete with an Aesthetix IO Signature MK2 Phono Stage w/ volume control (like Albert Porter owns, almost $12k retail), the best phono preamp that I have ever heard? Absolutely not. But, with the price differential, I never expected it to do so.

The point in all of this, to answer Jeff's original question: I have heard the PH5 with a Lyra Helikon (on several occasions) and it is not overkill to use this phono preamp with this particular cartridge. Or with the Lyra Argo, for that matter.

Sorry I missed you during your most recent travels to Texas. Maybe next time? And you are correct ... enjoy the music! :-)

I talked the Audio Research and was told that if I have a total of 70dB gain with the PH5 and my pre-amp, I will be fine. The PH has 57.5dB and my VTL has 20dB, so I should have plenty for the Koetsu Black(at least I hope so)
Regards
Jeff

Jeff,

Yes, that should be plenty of gain.

John

Did you ever recieve the Koetsu Black? What do you think of it?