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Next Phonostage

I'm contemplating a new Phonostage to replace my Rowland Cadence. One of the driving factors is wanting multiple inputs for multiple tonearms.

My system is currently: TW-Acustic Raven AC-1/TW10.5 tonearm/Dynavector XV-1s cart with Rowland Synergy IIi preamp, Rowland 302 power amp and Avalon Acoustics Eidolon Diamond loudspeakers.

My listening tastes are everything except rap/hip-hop. Probably 50% rock/pop, 40% Jazz and 10% Classical.

My audio characteristics preferences I value include really black backgrounds, air around images, extension and musicality. Dynamics are also a plus.

My contenders are currently:

Audio Research Ref 2 SE Phono - rave reviews, most say this gives you best attributes of solid state and tube sound combined, might be a natural transition into tubes for me

Thoress Phono Enhancer - also known as TW Acustic Phonostage; might mate well with my analog front end, flexibility in dialing in bass, mids, highs, customizable sound

Manley Steelhead - heard this in a friend's system, very nice sound, very flexible, did hear a it of tube noise

Can anyone who owns one of these phonostages or has listening experience with them give me some input and advice on what would work best with my system?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations from the audiogon community.
philb7777
lula
208 posts
 
Hi Lotus,
How did the Allnic compare with the Tron....particularly in bass slam and density of tone?
lotus340r
32 posts
 
The Tron I had was the entry version. It was a little noisy and had no provision for adjustment of any kind but the sound was the right sort of sound. A little soft but definitely musical with good tone, texture and natural dynamics. I know someone who owns the more expensive GT version and is very pleased with it and it's this model which would perhaps be more the equal of stages like the ARC/H3000/Mastergroove etc. The lack of adjustability prevented me pursuing the Tron route any further though.

I have heard a steelhead but in an unknown system so wouldn't want to comment too much. If you search on here however, the whatsbest forum and also audio aficianados there a few people who have put down their thoughts on the manley vs the allnic 1500 and 3000 models.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I own the TW phono stage. It has stayed constant in my system for a while now while other stages have come and gone.

The only phono stage I have heard and contemplated replacing the TW was the ARC ref2 phono.

Lotus is correct, the ARC has such a huge soundstage and an ability for the music to float in 3d. At the time I did not feel the bass weight of the ARC was quite right. I believe the SE revision has solved this shortcoming.The TW has a little more drive. ARC had better blackess .

I am still considering the ref2se, but cannot listen to one first so undecided, as the TW does nothing wrong.

Both have that tube magic once heard is hard to do without.

Steelhead has never done it for me. Perhaps due to the fact the SUTs are a bit coloured.

wrm57
988 posts
 
I auditioned the Allnic H3000 at home a few years back, when my system was almost entirely different from today. I found it the most 3D and liquid of the several phono stages I brought in, including the Einstein RCA, Rhea Sig, Steelhead RC, ASR Basis, Wavestream. But for some reason, both it and the ASR hummed in my system. I doubt it was endemic to the pieces themselves but I couldn't track down the issue, otherwise I might have kept the Allnic--it was unique and very seductive. It might also have been a little colored but in a glorious way. I ended up with the Steelhead, which I liked the best of the rest. Still, I might audition the Allnic again sometime. I've never heard a phono stage quite like it.
analogbrother
6 posts
 
how did the ref phono 2 compare to the xp-25?
i love tubes to the max, but was thinking, maybe, i could possibly get away with ss as i'm running tubed pre and power? no? i'm dreamin'?
how can one demo a ref2se? a/c don't represent anymore, so i don't know the new guys.

the allnic h3000v sounds like a great unit - do we have a distributor down this way?
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