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Stand out phono stages

This topic has been started before by others and myself as well, maybe too many times, but it is worth revisiting since the source is so very important!
So far I have had the pleasure to enjoy two worthy phono stages: the EAR 834p and the JLTI.
I have to admit they are spectacular. Obviously the record and all the equipment downstream play a role in the sound heard. In some cases I prefer the JLTI and in other cases the EAR. But neither out do the other dramatically.
What phono preamps outshine others by a big margin, those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed.
pedrillo
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dev,
okay when it comes to a full chain your two preferences are good benchmarks. My favourite at the moment is:

Continuum Copperhead/Olympos/EMT JPA66/Micro Seiki 8000

best @ fun only
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 
Thuchan,

sweet pces, x-mas is right around the corner and I can provide you with my address, I'll even pay for the shipping cost ha! ha!

I know of the other pces but not the EMT JPA66 so I just looked it up.
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dev,
Xmas is always. what present are you making yourself...
best @ fun always
kene2110
1 posts
 
Speaking of the holidays, I'm going from a surprising good little NAD PP2i to a Ear 834P. I found the sound from the NAD using a Denon 103R/TNT MkI to be decent but lacking the "spirit" and low end response which I could hear using an Lazarus preamp. Of course the Lazarus was not MC compatible w/low gain and noise, (though it was a cascode amp with two 12AT7 and two 12AX7). This move should provide a decent MC tube preamp experience with the noted front end. I do like the sound from FETs amp circuits (low noise/great dynamics), and believe I will be headed to some type of SUT/FET/tube preamp setup, but hope the EAR will hold my interest for a little while. It great to get back into vinyl!
ttweights
50 posts
 
The ALLIC H3000 and new H3000V even better,used to test our turntables. Natural, perfect toneality, fast and dynamic and extremely reliable with 2 MM and 2MC inputs for maximum flexibility and running 4 tables is nice.
Adjustable for all cartridges MM or MC.

PS:GEM turntable review
http://dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=952
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