3k Phono preamp upgrade options (JC3+, XP-17, etc)

To supplement @oranfoster, while the JC3+ For MC carts boasts a supposed >87db SNR, it’s unweighted SNR is 67db, which is louder in some frequencies than the record groove noise itself. 

@riskymilk You may find this thread helpful, in which I searched for an endgame SS phono. I’m not sure I’ve found it yet, but there sure are a lot of good suggestions and learnings from others even though many of the options fall above the $3K price range. Some of them do not. 

Agree the Modwright PH9.0 and PH9.0X are wonderful. I’ve probably posted about them more than anyone on this forum. You can likely find a PH9.0 on the used market for less than $3K and upgrade from the stock tubes, which are necessary to get the best of it. Then, down the road, when ready, pay to upgrade to the X. 

@riskymilk There was another thread on rolling the PH9.0’s tubes that started just earlier this week:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/modwright-ph-9-0x-tube-rolling-question

As far as tube stages go, I have compared Modwright phono stages against Herron’s, the Allnic H1201, PS Audio Stellar Phono, Pass Xono, and Rogue Ares Magnum, and the Modwrights I owned all easily surpassed them. 

Yes, I started a hifi business recently but have no relationship with Dan Wright outside of once being a customer of much of his equipment. 

I have not used Lyra cartridges. My cartridge path with the 9.0/9.0X included the Audio Technica ART9, Dynavector XV-1S, Audio Technica ART1000, Air Tight PC-1S, and My Sonic Lab Signature Gold. All were properly powered and provided their own sonic characteristics.

That said, I did finally move on from the 9.0X and onto solid state stages. It took a considerable investment to be able to top the 9.0X. 

@riskymilk The power supply only comes in black. If you do end up getting it, I would suggest rolling the tubes, upgrading the power cable, using an aftermarket fuse (if you believe in them), and even building a custom umbilical if it's of reach. I also removed the feet from the unit I previously owned and placed Isoacoustics Orea footers underneath. For tubes, the 6922 pair has many options, but if you can, keep your eyes out for the Reflektor 6C45 to roll into the other two spots. They are very hard to come by now, but don't break the bank, and they are the best of the already very few 6C45 tubes ever produced.

@riskymilk No, there are not really any other options with a lot of availability aside from the Sovtek that ship with the unit. Electro Harmonix also makes one, but that too is hard to find and not as good as the Reflektor. 

Keep in mind that it is very quiet considering it is a tube unit. I believe with great tubes the unit is at ~75-85db SNR. But it is still not as quiet as some of the ultra-high end SS stages which approach 100db SNR. That said, most people are not as anal since record groove noise is about 70db SNR. 

I at the same time owned the PS Audio Stellar and Pass Xono, which was around before the XP17. The Stellar was quiet and had more body than the Xono, but the Xono's resolution and dynamics were better, albeit sounding more typical to 'solid state' regarding temperature. The Rogue Ares Magnum with good tubes easily bested them, and the Modwright PH9.0X easily bested the Rogue.

Nice @riskymilk!

As mentioned on other threads it can really shine with good tubes, quality aftermarket power cable, and an upgraded fuse. Should you like the unit, the upgrade to a PH9.0X is well worth it down the line. 

Please let us know what you think after you get to play with it.

@riskymilk Perhaps look into these. It’s a quad but at least you have backups if one ever dies. It’ll be harder to source them down the road.

6C45s from Ukraine

@riskymilk I am so glad you decided to move forward with this unit and are happy with the results. It truly is a superb phono stage in its price range.

The second link you shared is accurate for the 6922 substitution, but I would be careful of the first link to the 6C45s. The imagery does not clearly depict a rocket above the silver lettering. It might be there, but if I were you I would want to seek assurance that they are authentic. 

@riskymilk I used a Synergistic Research Blue fuse in mine. They’re no longer made, but they come up used on marketplaces. The more recent versions are the Orange and Purple. The effects of SR’s fuses are talked about (and debated) on many threads on this forum. With Synergistic Research fuses, it is always advisable to use one value over the listed value.