2. amps-preamps
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Spend my $8,000 pt. 2

A rehash of some previous threads so I apologize, but I'd love some help!

Need a pre/power and phono-stage (HO MC or MM) for my system system (Sony SCD-1, Totem Forests, MH MMF 7--soon to be VPI Aries 2--variety of cables), have about $8,000. I'm auditioning:

Integrateds:
Plinius 9200 (no balanced inputs!)
BAT VK-300XSE (bad phono?)
Sim i-7 (no phono!)
JRDG Concerto (bad phono/digital?)
Accustic Arts Power 1(no phono/underpowered?)

OR

Preamplifier:
Aesthtix Janus (tube--too warm?)
Ayre K1xe (over my budget!)

I know I'm picky, and I know I need to make a compromise: I either need a killer Integrated, which doesn't sacrifice too much to separates, and add a good phono stage; or, I need a preamp with a killer phono stage and find it a good power amp. Given these choices which do you think entails less of a sacrifice?

I'm also having trouble getting first-hand opinions on any of the phono sections of the components above that have them onboard. I hear the 9200 phono-stage is actually good, but only from a poster who doesn't use it. The BAT seems to get tepid reactions. Apparently no one in the _world_ owns the JRDG Concerto with the phono stage. People love the Aesthetix Calypso and the Rhea Phono, but I can't find many opnions on the Janus. Any first hand experience with these phono stages?

I only have room for two boxes. I'm not looking for lush/warm tube sound, just something accurate, neutral, with pin-point accuracy and great imaging...sheesh, I want it all! The Aesthetix at $6500 means I'll need to buy a temp. amp used and then save for something better, which I'm not adverse to. I want something that will stave off the upgrade bug and mate well with sources and speakers higher up the food chain, since I know my SCD-1 and Forests aren't the final word (for me at least). Help!

And just think, soon you get to help me pick either a phono stage or a power amp. Oh Joy!

Thanks a ton!
mimberman
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I had a VK3i with the phono card. If that is the same as in the 300x then is was fair, but that's about all.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Too bad the Ayre K-1XE is over your budget, because the phono cards are quite good. Very detailed and yet musical. It also has a very, very black background, which is the thing I love most about it. (I much prefer it to my old ARC PH-3 phono stage, as there is no tube rushing.)

Well, good luck in your search.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Hi again, looks like you're getting close now to a lovely setup...

For 8 grand you might find a Klyne System 7 or a Hovland HP 100 preamp, and still have enough left for a Simaudio Moon W-3 or W-5. The Klynes are separate boxes for preamp and phono stage, but they're half-height and should fit on one shelf if they need to. I've heard the Simaudio amps with the Totems and I think they are made for each other, but if you want tubes, c-j amplification also sounds very fine with these speakers.

If you are limited to what's on your list, then without knowing all of the items on it, I would tend towards the Moon i-7 and a phono stage (and here I would listen to Audiomat). I liked the Accustic Arts integrated but for my taste and money, if there is any question of a power shortage with Totems, choose something else.
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