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$2500 Phono Stage Suggestions

My current phono is a Whest Two, VPI Classic with a Ortofon 2M Black MM cart. No plans to change the cart. anytime soon. The Fosgate, Parasound JC3 all seem to get good reviews along with the Sutherland 20/20. If I purchase thru Audio Advisor they have the Fosgate and PP3 with a 30 day return but I wont be able to compare only return one for the other. I will be calling a local dealer to see if can get a Fosgate demo. No complaints with the Whest just looking for a clear step up. Rest of my setup is Cary SLP03 tube pre, Spectron amp and B&W 802D speakers. Any others I should consider?
stl114_nj

Showing 2 responses by david12

david12
1,454 posts
 
Another vote for the K&K phono stage. I have used one for 5 years and am about to install Kevins latest upgrade. Having compared it to a number of stages, including the Whest, the only one I thought bettered it was the Tron phono stage in an all Tron system and then not by much. It's nearly twice the price too.

An important consideration is that Kevin at K&K is constantly trying to improve it and offers the upgrades at very reasonable cost.
david12
1,454 posts
 
Just an update on the K&K. I have just had the uogrades to bring my SE up to the current Maxxed out stage, fitted. Everyone else seems to have done it a year ago, but I'm slow on the uptake. To get the platitudes out the way, "My jaw dropped" at the sound. It really is a different phonostage, particularly in terms of dynamics and it's speed. As a result it is much crisper, cleaner and more detailed. I have turned the volume down nearly 25%, to get a similar perceived sound level.
All this cost $85 + postage + fitting of course.
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