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What is the BEST phono stage

I own a manley steelhead, & am wondering which phono pre amps are better. I plan on keeping the manley for my current system. My new system will be Basis diamond vacuum hold table, Graham phantom arm, Dynavector XV1S, Mcintosh C2200 tube preamp,pair of MC2000 tube amps, Klipsch Khorn,modded w/ xtreme slope ALK crossovers,and Trachorn. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
128x128tjnif
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Spend less money and get a EAR 88PB.

I find it more musically involving than the Steelhead and Tim Pav is the master with transformers.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,276 posts
 
It's not a question of better or best, it's more about what works with your other components and how that fits your own preferences. Do you really know what you are looking for? Remember, you're the person who couldn't figure out how to connect the Manley to your preamp. I strongly recommend you get dealership type help. It's easy to buy very nice components, but their ultimate performance is only achieved through careful setup and system matching.
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
Hey Tjnif,
Raquel is right
Soundsmith is one of the "best" analog cart/phono combination that I've l know of. Is there something better..., possibly . I just haven't heard it yet.
All I can say is this:
If I could afford it right now,
I would be a happy man.

One day .........maybe?
opus88
530 posts
 
I agree with Downunder. I recently purchased the EAR 88PB phono preamp. It is a wonderfully imaging, extremely musical unit. I've previously owned or home auditioned the following preamps: Supratek Cortese, Shindo Masseto, Audio Note M3, Joule Electra LAP 150 and Audio Horizons TP2.1n/TP 8.0iMCPn. Though each possessed excellent individual traits, none were able to satisfy me as completely as the EAR. With sound this good, I don't miss cds one bit.
inman29
30 posts
 
I agree with Topoxforddoc- give the Tron Seven some consideration. I had a Steelhead and sold it for the Tron Seven. It sounds wonderful with my Raven TT, Graham Phantom and Air Tight PC-1 and is less expensive than the Steelhead. Call Jeff Catalano at Highwater Sound to discuss if you have interest.
Good luck with your search.
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