best phono stage under 10k

Hi I decided to buy two, Rcm sensor 2 furutech edition, and Allnic 1202, very happy with both, the Rcm silent as a grave, zero radio antenna noise or interference, 100% recommended, it has a wide range of settings or balanced outputs, very good quality, with its separate power supply, new list price approx 5,500.00 usd, and I liked the Allnic a lot too, it has less settings for your pickup, it is slightly sweeter and pleasantly round sound, it only has rca outputs , If I had to choose one of both, I would prefer the Rcm sensor 2, it is important to have in mind that it is also more expensive than the Allnic, I have always thought that to compare equipments we must consider that I have a similar cost to be able to be fair, thank you for all your valuable comments and happy new year!

Hi there saxsaudio1, I am curious what phono stage you've acquired. I can hear AM radio through my speakers :( ...  

Esoteric E-02

Both Zyx Artisan and Aqvox 2CI Mk2 are off the beaten track but truly special stages. Artisan is batterey driven and low noise for single ended, Aqvox is balanced and noise free.

Hi, 
i bougth two, Allnic 1202 an RCM Sensor 2, both are excellent, quiet, organic, exceptional sound, clarity, elegant black background, I could say that the Allnic has better bass, without being exaggerated, and the best thing, both beat the noise and interference of the radio antenna, Regads,
thanks for your help.

@saxsaudio1

So what did the OP finally decide on?  I own Sutherland which is what I think he was trying to describe. 

@car123 
I'm curious. How did you find it changed the sound going through the step ups vs bypassing them on your Steelhead?
Steve.

@tomic601  

Yeah, Keith has the phono pre voiced very well with the stock tubes.  I found that I get my best improvements rolling the tubes in my linestage instead and just leaving the Herron alone.

And I do believe the mc input runs the signal through a step up transformer.  However, every time I've tried using it I've switched back to the mm input.  I've used a number of different lo mc cartridges with it.  

The steelhead has plenty of gain for my benz using the mm input.   I've tried it both ways and far and away prefer using the mm input and have no gain issues.

@three easy payments....

not so far...the RCA re bright, glare, no depth of image....#$&@$#—— This from a tube that is IMO a sonic wonder in a Croft RIAA +

yes in the first gain block....

back to made in Russia we go after a scant few album sides..

@tomic601   I've had zero luck rolling tubes in my Herron...I always go back to the stock EHs that Keith provided to get the best sound.  Sounds like you're enjoying the RCAs?  Presumably in the 1st gain stage?

I now have a couple hundred hours on Herron ( in addition to factory breakin ) and can attest it is indeed a fine sounding and very well built product. In my system it is hyper quiet. Less than $3.5k delivered.
keith is a super nice guy also.

just rolled in two RCA NOS 1960’s NJ production from Andy at Vintage Tube.... fun

enjoy the music.

I've been using an all tube unit for over 3 years now hand built in Cyprus from NVO. It has selectable MM or MC inputs and built with Kiwame carbon resistors among other top grade parts. 
https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/nvo-new-valve-order
NVO also makes a 22 tubed unit but not sure its price point.
Also like the GN PH10 for ss. 

That's news to me! Now I'm wondering if there is more than one version.

@atmasphere 
i got this off a Stereophile review:

In MC mode, the switch controls a "variable-load auto tranny" (more Manley lingo), which is the Steel-head transformer/autoformer that gives the preamp its name. The switch controls five taps on the proprietary "dual-primary, bifilar wound, high-bandwidth, low-resistance, and multiple-shielded nickel-core step-up autoformer," which allows you to choose among 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ohm settings.

If I am remembering correctly,  there’s step up’s at the input.

The Steelhead employs a solid state input section for the phono section so no transformers.

@car123 
Is it enough gain in the mm input?  Your Benz is quite low input. If it is, it would maybe make sense since your bypassing the first stage. If I am remembering correctly,  there’s step up’s at the input.

I've had my steelhead for about 12 years.  It's an amazing product.  I've never had a desire to try anything else.  It destroyed the BAT, Sim, audio research units of the day I tried and cast off for the manley.  BTW, it sounds a lot better as a phone pre only, ie running into a preamp.  It also sounds best running my Benz ebony LP-S into the MM input. 

I like what I am reading about Lejonklou Slipsik 7.1

So who bought that Aurorasound VIDA from ebay this week for about $2135 ?? :))

it’s crazy that even for $4000 this knob with optional loading is NOT included and it looks like this.

Manufacturer website.

Jeff Rowland Cadence with Battery PS

Hi Ralph. I’ve had my MP 1 in a few times for updates. Last time was about 4-5 years ago. One day maybe I’ll be lucky enough to own a mk 3. The only preamp right now that I think I would trade mine for. 

@sdrsdrsdr  There are quite a few updates available for your preamp! The warranty can be reactivated too.

I should add that I only ever had radio interference when using one certain phono cable. And had it bad. I could distinguish the song playing. Changed that cable and gone. 
Also, I had a Tom Evans groove. No problem for me, but the new owner has issues with cell phone interference. He said he’s tried changing cables and arms, and no luck. The Tom Evans is solid state. 

I have had  an Atma-sphere MP1 mk2 for 16 years. The only piece that’s lasted so long in my system. I’ve compared it to many other line stages and this is always the one I prefer musically to the others. I’m such a huge fan of the MP1. As far as the phono section in mine, it’s very good compared to others. For awhile now I’ve also been using an Aesthetix Rhea Sig. and  really like this too. Mostly I enjoy the three inputs and programable inputs for load and gain. I run three tables with 3 arms. I won’t say one is better. They are different sounding and both have their own strengths. Both in the same league.  I will say though that my preferences is all tubes all the way through. I prefer no step ups or even a FET in the input stage. Yes, noise can be an issue but worth it to me. The Thoress phono stage I heard in direct comparison to the Rhea Sig. It was quieter and a little more detailed, but no where near as musically exciting as the Rhea for my preferences.
Steve.

Personally I'd like the Manley Steelhead at <$10k.  It also has a line level single ended input for your DAC/CD/Streamer, which means it can function as your phono pre and preamp.  But I'm a tube guy and like the Manley sound.  They also have superb customer service and the company will be around because of its foothold in the recording industry. 

Whest is currently not using any US dealers; you have to buy directly from them if you are a US resident.  I found that to be a fairly simple and seamless purchase.  James spent a lot of time with me on e mail as I wanted some special customized options made in my unit.  They accommodated my requests and it too about a week to build my phono stage with the enhancements I wanted.  From there it only took 3 days to get it shipped to me.

I found them to be extremely well organized and responsive to their customers.  I plan on having James build me a set of the Titan interconnects, one with a right angle DIN connector for my SME Series IV tonearm.

Another vote for the Herron.

What US dealers now offer Whest? Jay Kaufman in California was  one I know of but he has retired.

I have said it before and I'll say it once again.  I have done a lot of research with guys who actually owned or used many phono stages including the Whest Audio phono stages.  They all said nothing came close to the Whest in performance.  Then I spent a lot of time reading the customer reviews on the Whest site (hundreds of them); if you read these from guys using all types of phono stages, they all explain how much better the Whest units are against a wide range of competitive units.
From there I studied the internal boards of the Whest and the construction used along with components and I concluded that the Whest was the best option available.  I have owned two now and I can say that they are spectacular, especially against some of the 'standard' recommendations spoken of in many of the threads.

I'd skip over most of the ones spoken of and go straight to Whest Audio in London, you will not look back at that decision.

I thoroughly enjoyed the McIntosh MP1100 while I had it.

It is a fully balanced phono stage, so you can build a truly fully balanced system around it. You could potentially go so far as to have your tonearm to have balanced XLR outputs and really get the most out of it, and have a super nice and low noise floor.

thank you very much for all your answers and suggestions,
someone has heard the shuterland mcx?

@saxsaudio1.  Add my vote for the Herron.  Love my VTPH-2A.  You might also consider some of Grover Huffman’s interconnects.  They are extremely well shielded.

Allnic makes a nice entry level phono stage. 

OP, sorry to hear about the RFI you are battling. That is so frustrating it would keep me up at night. Putting that aside for a moment....

If my budget went to $10k I’d buy a Manley Steelhead. It’s pretty cool that it can serve as a line stage input for a digital source too. Loading options are on the fly. Now, I own the Chinook (disclaimer) so I’d welcome more of what it does so well. 
Best of luck! 

Totally agree with Lewm. I battled a low frequency sound like motor-boating. In my Aesthetix Janus eclipse. Narrowed it down to my phono path. Went ultra low-noise amperex and telefunken tubes. Beautiful sound upgrade but the noise was still there. Upgraded phono cable to AW Leopard.  Better sound-again but  still that awful noise.

long story short the RFI was coming from a Wifi access point that I had placed placed on top of an ASC bass trap, i e exactly the same height as my cartridge and about 5 feet away. I moved the WAP across the room on the floor and boom! Problem solved and I got better SQ in the process. And obviously saved money over a new phono stage. 
BTW, Krell is coming out with a new phono stage that I had in my system for about a month. It was incredible and I think in the $4,500 range.  Whatever you get try your best to demo with your gear in your room. That’s my 2 cents worth. 

@wolfie62 how wonderful!!!! Enjoy the music

In the last 50 years I’ve owned no fewer than 22 phono pre’s. 

Some have been very nice units, others pretty much run of the mill.

A month ago I bought a phono pre that was the only 1 to literally make my jaw drop! Finally! The mysterious veil was removed from my phono system! I’m now busy rediscovering my cart collection, as each one sounds new.

For me, this has turned out to be the best expenditure of $2,500 I’ve ever made, as the results are so stark and noticeable! 

PS Audio Stellar phono pre.

I recommend the Pass XP-27, which is a major upgrade from the XP-17 and not just in terms of convenience. It is dead quiet and I doubt pretty much anything else can convey as much detail, while also sounding full and rich like a tube unit.

Not much of the above is helpful to the OP, I wouldn't think, unless there is some factual information about immunity to RFI.  The fact that a unit is "quiet" in one's own home is not evidence it would be quiet in the OP's high-RFI environment.  But then also, the OP can do a lot to improve isolation by messing around a bit with ancillary items, like cables, AC cords, etc.

Simaudio produces dead silent phono, even tomb like silent.

I second the suggestion on Whest Audio phono stages.
Built with beautiful design internally, Clarity Capacitors, full suspension on the main boards to isolate the electronics from the case, hand matched discreet components, on and on.... I am on my second phono preamp from Whest with my recent upgrade and the performance is just outstanding: amazing detail pulled from the recording, a noise free black background (you would not even know it’s on if you didn’t see the two power on LED’s for each mono section).

No comparison to the PH 10 I had before, we are talking performance which is by far in another league over the PH 10; my Whest makes the Gold Note sound like the NAD PP2e entry level phono stage I first had years ago.

For under $10K, you can pick up the new PS.40 RDT SE which is just one step down from the Titan Pro. The Titan Pro will set you back around $13K and if you can stretch the budget a bit, I’d get a Titan Pro; it’s really from what I am told (I have not heard it myself) nirvana of phono preamps. But the 40 series is going to get you something which is still cuts above other offerings out there. The Titan Pro is going to be my next upgrade when funds are available.


When I picked up my first Whest, I had three other phono stages on the shelf, all in the $1500 to $2500 range and one Clear Audio Smart V2 which is around $700.  My Whest Three Signature which is a $4K unit just blew all of these out of the water, I mean it was a huge difference in performance.  I used the Three for the summer and ordered a custom built mid level Whest, meaning around a $6K unit, and it took things up to another notch higher.  Same house sound, but the detail is just jaw dropping.  FYI, the cartridge in the system is an Ortofon A90 MC.  But I also used a vintage AT20ss MM (my Whest input was customized for 20 pf to match perfectly with the AT20ss).  So the performance is equally  as outstanding in MC as is MM.

Check out the Modwright PH 9.0. After switching to a low output cartridge I began picking up radio signal using a Manley Chinook. Swapping tubes did not help. I gave the Modwright a try and it is dead silent. Give Dan a call and he will help you out.

Try Audio Horizons pre-amp wonderful value and great sound, also Manley Steelhead has been highly recomeded, it can also be used as a pre-amp.  Its highly flexible and has stood the test of time.

http://www.audio-horizons.com/pages/phono.html

Keith Herron is a great guy for sure and excellent to do business with, however I sold my VTPH-2 shortly after purchasing it from Keith, it was a little quirky and not as resolving as expected. My Pass XP15 was superior, and even more so Modwright's PH-150.

I suggest before replacing anything, you try these steps first.

https://www.psaudio.com/ps_how/how-to-find-and-fix-hum/

I would give the PSAudio Stellar Phono Preamp a serious consideration. Michael Fremer just gave it an amazing review in Stereophile. I was a Beta tester for PS Audio when this product came out and bought and kept it because it is the best I have ever heard. You cant go wrong because, if you buy it directly from PS Audio, you can actually have an "in-home" trial and return it if you dont like it. This company is coming out with seriously good stuff at reasonable prices. 

American gear for Americans ? Why always Herron ? 
Claiming that Herron is the best under $10k without recall its contenders is nonsense, it would be fair to mention some other phono stages compared to Herron by its user.