2. analog
  3. 1247665327

How does one choose a phono stage.

Sometime in the future I would like to buy a seperate phono stage. Currently I am using the phono stage of my Symphonic Line La Musica integrated amp. But when I take a look at what is available is just dazzles me. There are some many brands, models and versions etc etc. Even when I limited my budget to say max $1500 there are still dozens of even hundereds I could shoose from. But before we set a budget, how do I even know how high I should make my budget. I mean my old Clearaudio basic isn't better then the build in stage of my Symphonic Line. So I should look for something of better quality, so more expensive. My turntable is a VPI Scout with Lyra Dorian cart. So even if I had the money a $5000 phono pre would be overkill.

So back to the original question, how doe one start to narrow the field. I can listen to some stages but before I need say 5 to 10 stage I would consider. So how do I narrow it down to that number.

When I think of phono stages around $1500 budget I think Nagra BPS, Whest two, Lehmann black cube with PWX, Goldenote Phono 2, Acoustech PH1, EAR 834MC, array PH3 etc etc.

So how do I narrow my search. When buying 2nd hand it become an even bigger problem, since you cannot always try before you buy. Often you have just have to buy and hope it works out.

I realy would like to buy the Nagra BPS, why? Because I like Nagra CD players, not a very sound reason but that is how it is now.

So please help me, what should I do.
mordante

Showing 1 response by robm1

robm1
28 posts
 
Hi

I have listened to one see post 1245019180.

I thought the BPS was OK and only OK. I put it down to the 9v battery and very basic electronics. It's not as flexible as the whestTWO. The whestTWO like many others at this price range has at least 3 gain options and 3 load options. Also the BPS is not very dynamic at all! It's also quite noisy if you are using a low output MC. The design is really nice though BUT I don't think that is enough at this price range and just because it says NAGRA on it isn't enough to justify the price. I think there are far better sounding units out there at the price and all are much more flexible.

Rob.
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