Phono Circuit Difference Between Spectral Preamps?

I am using a spectral DMC 12 as a dedicated outboard phono preamp. It used to be my full function preamp until I got a DMC30 SL. The phono section of the DMC 12 sounds pretty good, but not as good as the phono section in the DMC 20. If you're going to do the updgrade, I would go right to the DMC 20 and skip the DMC 12. Spectral is eventually supposed to come out with a SOTA dedicated phono stage which might be worth waiting for. I'm kind of hanging out for that myself.

Just my 2 cents worth... Hope it helps with your decision.

> Spectral is eventually supposed to come out with a SOTA dedicated phono

Oh you mean the DMC-25 they demoed 7-8 years ago? I wouldn't hold my breath any longer.

Oh! Thanks you two! I never thought anybody answered this post.
Yeah the 20...... I LOVE that piece. I think it's gorgeous. Somebody had one on EBay, LOADED, and it went for $1,500. I passed on it because it had a switch replaced with a look alike. I't wasn't a Spectral repair, and I just got cold feet, and I'm kicking myself ever since. Kind of like a Rolex with a Timex second hand! LOL I think in the last months the price of Spectral, and my other fave Threshold gear, has risen on EBay, and here. (Trust me.....I would prefer to buy one from here.) It's kind of like the stock market. Before a good price on the 20 might have been $1,800-$2,000 and now I've seen them go for more toward $3,000.

So, Sydsrig, I guess the phono circuitry is more sophisticated with the 20? Probably a silly question.

You need to be VERY careful buying a DMC-20 with phono (and probably a similar DMC-12). Reason being, the significant heat build-up in the main unit tends to render the phono section useless in about 10-15 years, or so I've heard from dealers. Which means, you may need repairs and getting a new phono card probably isn't going to be an option. I would strongly urge you to contact Spectral about the life expectancy of the phono stage in the 20 and your options in case you need to repair one.

Oh I never heard that one, and I appreciate it. I guess because it sits there drawing 85 watts? (!) That's a heck of a lot for a preamp. They are HARD to get a hold of though. You have to have a dealer contact them. Is that the way we would run a business? Market share was never a big concern of theirs. LOL

Thanks Ack