No experience with either but I do own a Gold Note Vasari Gold MM phono cartridge. It sounds amazing. I would buy the Gold Note over the Black Ice(formerly Jolida)because I owned a Jolida CD player 10 years ago and it was nothing but trouble. I sent it back twice and twice it came back not fixed. I sold it as is and lost my shirt on it as it was brand new and I sold it for half price.
Black Ice F159 or Gold Note PH-10 ?
Looking to upgrade my Phono Pre. Currently I’m using a Pro-Ject Tube Box S with upgraded tubes (GE 5751 Black Plates) with my EAT B Sharp Turntable, AT VM740 Cartridge and Cardis Clear Interconnects. I just don’t like the sound anymore and feel, lets say “I Know” … My phono pre is the weakest link in my system!
I have the ability to pick up a Gold Note PH-10 w/ the external power supply for a decent price but in the past considered the Black Ice F-159. My dilemma is I really want tubes, I enjoy tube warmth and found out the F-159 even though it has Tubes, it’s loaded with Op Amps…Ugh! The PH-10 not being tube either but gets a lot of great reviews even though still being SS.
I have a limited budget and am not adverse to purchasing used. I know there’s a lot of good used equipment out there, but hate when people suggest you should get a used “X”, and sure that sounds great, but just try to locate “X”, usually none to be found or way above my budget. I hope this post does not get hijacked with long user histories referring me to buy something that’s either not to be found or out of my price range, So at this point if anyone has experience with either the Black Ice F-159 or the Gold Note PH-10 please advise. Thx
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