How about Tron Syren preamp (http://www.tron-electric.com). The Trons are designed to be silent - like absolutely silent with tubes and Avantgarde Horns. Edward Barker has just named it as one of his finds of 2004 (http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/b004/b004edward.html). The gain can be altered to suit any MC cartridge. It's even sensitive enough for the Allaerts MC2 Formula 1 (only 0.1 mV output), but still silent. I'm impressed enough to buy one of Graham Tricker's preamps (I'm buying his own demo Meteor - predecessor of the Syren). In the US, I think Hart at Audio Advancements distributes. However Graham Tricker does supply worldwide from his base in the UK
A new phono stage
Soliciting feedback on phono stages. I know, the best way is to audition each candidate in my system, but this is difficult where I live.
I'm presently using a highly modified Counterpoint SA-5.1 for the phono stage, into Lamm L2 preamp, Counterpoint SA-20 amp, and Alon Circe speakers. The source is a Micro Seiki RX1500 / SME 3012R / Shelter 901. I want to replace the SA-5.1 with a dedicated phono stage and use the 5.1 in my second system.
My criteria:
- tube or ss is ok
- highly reliable (prefer less tubes to more)
- very low noise
- remote control NOT necessary
- multiple inputs NOT necessary
- signal purity preferred to convenience (while I recognize the convenience of front panel adjustable loading, I am willing to remove the cover and insert a resistor myself for the sake of signal purity).
- > 60dB gain, prefer w/o mc step-up transformer (*this is difficult!)
My list of candidates:
Lamm LP2, Pass Xono, TE Groove or Micro Groove, EAR 834P (with Thoerston parts and circuit modification). I realize that all of these do not meet all of my criteria.
can anyone with direct exposure to these units share their experience? Even better if you have compared units in a controlled setting.
I'm presently using a highly modified Counterpoint SA-5.1 for the phono stage, into Lamm L2 preamp, Counterpoint SA-20 amp, and Alon Circe speakers. The source is a Micro Seiki RX1500 / SME 3012R / Shelter 901. I want to replace the SA-5.1 with a dedicated phono stage and use the 5.1 in my second system.
My criteria:
- tube or ss is ok
- highly reliable (prefer less tubes to more)
- very low noise
- remote control NOT necessary
- multiple inputs NOT necessary
- signal purity preferred to convenience (while I recognize the convenience of front panel adjustable loading, I am willing to remove the cover and insert a resistor myself for the sake of signal purity).
- > 60dB gain, prefer w/o mc step-up transformer (*this is difficult!)
My list of candidates:
Lamm LP2, Pass Xono, TE Groove or Micro Groove, EAR 834P (with Thoerston parts and circuit modification). I realize that all of these do not meet all of my criteria.
can anyone with direct exposure to these units share their experience? Even better if you have compared units in a controlled setting.