Cincy_Bob and I are in agreement about the Lamm, and I think Jtinn's description is pretty much spot on. The Lamm is a special piece, but it does only have 57db of gain and loads the cartridge at 40 ohms, so make sure your Shelter has enough output for your usual listening levels. The Lamm also is perhaps a little "rounded" or soft in the highest frequencies, so if you're looking for the last word in razor sharp highs you might be disappointed; I myself, as a classical music fan, find this a good thing. The Lamm works well with my very low output Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum, but on some records cut at low levels I could use a little more gain (for those I switch to the MC stage of my JP200, which gives overall about 100db of gain, including the line stage), so check the output of your Shelter before deciding.
A new phono stage
Soliciting feedback on phono stages. I know, the best way is to audition each candidate in my system, but this is difficult where I live.
I'm presently using a highly modified Counterpoint SA-5.1 for the phono stage, into Lamm L2 preamp, Counterpoint SA-20 amp, and Alon Circe speakers. The source is a Micro Seiki RX1500 / SME 3012R / Shelter 901. I want to replace the SA-5.1 with a dedicated phono stage and use the 5.1 in my second system.
My criteria:
- tube or ss is ok
- highly reliable (prefer less tubes to more)
- very low noise
- remote control NOT necessary
- multiple inputs NOT necessary
- signal purity preferred to convenience (while I recognize the convenience of front panel adjustable loading, I am willing to remove the cover and insert a resistor myself for the sake of signal purity).
- > 60dB gain, prefer w/o mc step-up transformer (*this is difficult!)
My list of candidates:
Lamm LP2, Pass Xono, TE Groove or Micro Groove, EAR 834P (with Thoerston parts and circuit modification). I realize that all of these do not meet all of my criteria.
can anyone with direct exposure to these units share their experience? Even better if you have compared units in a controlled setting.
I'm presently using a highly modified Counterpoint SA-5.1 for the phono stage, into Lamm L2 preamp, Counterpoint SA-20 amp, and Alon Circe speakers. The source is a Micro Seiki RX1500 / SME 3012R / Shelter 901. I want to replace the SA-5.1 with a dedicated phono stage and use the 5.1 in my second system.
My criteria:
- tube or ss is ok
- highly reliable (prefer less tubes to more)
- very low noise
- remote control NOT necessary
- multiple inputs NOT necessary
- signal purity preferred to convenience (while I recognize the convenience of front panel adjustable loading, I am willing to remove the cover and insert a resistor myself for the sake of signal purity).
- > 60dB gain, prefer w/o mc step-up transformer (*this is difficult!)
My list of candidates:
Lamm LP2, Pass Xono, TE Groove or Micro Groove, EAR 834P (with Thoerston parts and circuit modification). I realize that all of these do not meet all of my criteria.
can anyone with direct exposure to these units share their experience? Even better if you have compared units in a controlled setting.
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- 18 posts total
- 18 posts total