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I need help and phonostage suggestions

To my fellow Audiogon members:
I need some help. I need some members to give me some suggestions on possible phonostages to consider auditioning or purchasing. I am selling an Acurus P-10 (and I have no idea why other than the "change things bug" got me)and I have no idea what to get. I am running a Linn LP-12 with a Benz Ace (medium) cartridge. The Linn has an Ittok arm. Amplification is a pair of Lumley Signature tubed monos (150WPC/4 ohms)and the preamp is a C-J Premier 16. Speakers are Peachtree D5 (great little speakers!)and cables/wire is AP Solo Crystal or some Morrow cables as well.
So, what say you all? Budget is about $1500 or so but I will stretch up some.
Thank you. Also, I am not fussy - tubes or solid state phonos are fine.
Zkidd
zkidd
radfrad's avatar
radfrad
160 posts
 
I have a pair of B2B-1. Each B2B-1 unit is for MONO operation to turn it into a fully differential amplification device . I could not be happier. I really have nothing to compare it to as it was a single operation at first and then I purchased another one. I also have PBN classic turntable. The turntable is simply beautiful.
Listen to rock music
My system consists
Krell Kct
Krell Kps 28 cast
Krell mono amps 450MCX cast
PBN Classic turntable vahalla balanced to B2b-1's
B2B-1 pair vahalla to kct
B&W 803 not diamond
Triton / Typhon
I would benefit from a speaker up grade But am very happy
with the set up.
bobsdevices
100 posts
 
I have to chime in. I am personally using the B2B Liberty in my home system. I have used a LOT of phono stages. I build Step up transformers and don't usually write in because I play by the rules. Anyway, in recent times I had used a GCPH heavily modified (Cullen) until I replaced it with a Krell KPE that sounded better, then I replaced it with a Jasmine that blew away the Krell. I still own 2 of the Jasmine's that I use for demos at audio shows. The Liberty B2B to me sounds considerably better than the Krell and I can't imagine any other phono stage sounding much better at any price. Build quality is excellent. I can't vouch for the MC section since I use Step ups.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
RadFrad and Bob,

Thanks for the nice comments on the little Liberty B2B-1 I'm Very pleased that you both like it so much.

Good Listening

Peter
dhcod
710 posts
 
Bob, to be fair, I don't think "can't imagine any other phono stage sounding much better at any price" is relevant unless you've listened to the Manley Steelheads and the ASR Basis and up to things like the Allnic 3000 or Aesthetix Lo to name a few that I've heard extensively. I've heard the Liberty at a friends and it's a great sounding unit at that price point but it doesn't provide as satisfying listening experience in my opinion as some of the higher priced tube units like the ones above and the K&K Maxxed out or the Allnic 1200 or the Herrons which are sort of in the mid high priced range of $3-4k. You get a lot for your extra money above $2500. I'm not knocking the Liberty at all but trying to keep things in perspective.
bobsdevices
100 posts
 
Dhcod,
Granted, I have not heard all those phono stages in my system to be able to compare them. Again, I am speaking only from the MM stage perspective. In audio, there is alway something better, and if I hear it, I will likely buy it.
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