Audio Research PH6 Phono Stage - How is it?

Zd542, not sure what people in my position are to do. If you don't have any local audio shops to listen in person or demo, cannot bring stuff home on a loan, what else do you do but ask in forums, read reviews, talk to stores/reps over the phone who are familiar with your system, and then buy? I hear what you're saying though, but I don't' see how else to match. You could buy cheap stuff first, but I would still be in the same boat trying to match stuff I've never heard in my actual system. This is a major problem in high end audio without brook and mortar stores.

Another tube phono stage is the EAR 834, which retails for under $2,000. Not sure how this compares with the others in this thread, but it certainly is the cheapest. Any comments on this? Taters, I will look into the Zesto as well. Thanks for the input.

Tmmvinyl,

I agree is it definitely one way to go. However, I am building my system from the ground up so there is so many moving parts that it would be difficult to see what is improving or not. You have to make some purchases at the beginning at least. i am not to concerned about choosing the "perfect system" as there is no such thing. There may be even a couple of components that are better than what I have, but not going to get too stressed about it. I am just using the forum to gain more understanding on products. When i do go to demo them or get a loaner, at least I'll have a narrowed down list of what I think I may like. There are so many global manufacturers nowadays and so many different models that I just want to find out more about them from people who have more experience. I think others would benefit from the forum questions and comments as well. From these forums, I was able to eliminate a lot of products after hearing more about and knew they weren't for my tastes. I have demoed everything I've purchased thus far (when I travel I research nearby audio shops), so I hope it is realized I am not just ordering random things blindly.

I appreciate your response, Zd542. I can see exactly what you mean. My own major purchases have been components I've heard together and really liked. I don't like an over ally clinical sound that gives a great musical presentation for 10 minutes but it is not something I could listen to for hours or months or even years. I knew tube gear what I wanted and the Sonus Faber match that warm sweet midrange I favor so much in vocals and my music genres. I similar read that the PH6 and other Audio Research phono stages are not good for low output MC cartridges. I've always favored the Herron as the tubes can be changed easily to give up to 69db gain, which should be plenty. Cabling is another story. I will follow your advice and demo some cabling starting low in the Nordost and Cardas lines and work my way up. I will then see what I like and see if I can get cables to audition in my specific system before making any decisions. Perhaps your point is why so many items are on the Audiogon Classifieds?

Listening to a lot of phono stages was not an option - no audio stores near me unfortunately.  Decided to try the Zesto Andros 1.2 as I got an open box unit at a great price.  The dealer also gave me the option of returning it if it wasn't to my liking.  Needless to say, it is super quiet and has excellent musicality.  The gain was substantially for my low output MC cartridge and has a very organic natural warm sound.  Overall a great buy and has a lot of flexibility with loading settings and tube rolling.  I don't know how others would sound but can't complain with the Zesto.

jadegrenade410,


I wish I could comment on the Ortofon Quintet Black MC cartridge compared to others, but this is actually the only cartridge I've owned thus far.  I've only had my vinyl playback system about a year (actually playing less than that), so haven't switched out cartridges.  The Quintet is a very balanced and musical cartridge.  There are others that are more resolving, detailed, etc, but the Quintet seems to everything well (compared to other cartridges around $1000).  If you're looking to staying under $1000, the only other one I was thinking about at the time was the Dynavector.  Not to say there aren't more options that are probably very good, but not too familiar with other brands.   

Now if you expand the budget a little, there are some good options out there that I may consider - if I sell my Quintet Black (which I may).  The Zephyr Soundsmith, Lyra Delos, and higher priced Dynavector, and Ortofon Cadenza all present great options.  You should look on the VPI forum.  I know they have a cartridge thread for turntables that probably will be able to answer your question better than I can.  

jadegrenade410,

I am in the process of selling my Prime turntable and selling the Quintet Black on it.  It only has about 100 hours on it and was purchased the same time I bought the Prime (2015) from Soundstage Direct.  If you want to buy, message me.  Thought I'd throw that out there.  Moving up the VPI line to an Avenger and Ortofon to a Cadenza series.