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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
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.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
Stevecham,

Does you system allow for a balanced hookup of the phono preamp ?

Good Listening

Peter
dhcod
710 posts
 
That's a good point, Bob, about using only the MM side of these. I have one of your step-ups and it's fantastic. Makes my Hagerman Coronet really play out of it's league.
judyazblues
157 posts
 
Gosh Peter, I think you're great.

Thanks Bob, I think you're great, too.

Yuk.
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