New phono stage from SOTA
SOTA will soon be releasing a new phono stage that they debuted at CAF. I’ve gotten to know the designer who lives about 5 miles away and am currently using one of his prototypes that's been installed for about 9 months. My other equipment - Miyjami Shilabe cartridge, VPI TNT turntable w/ ET 2.5 arm, Muse preamp, Son of Ampzilla MK II amp, Audio Artistry Vivaldi speakers, HSU subwoofers. I've owned three other dedicated other phono stages over the last 30 years, one retailing for over $3,000, and this unit far surpasses those. I have no financial interest, just thrilled with this piece and wanted to pass this along. Looking forward to what the reviewers have to say. https://sotaturntables.com/company-news/sota-pyxi-phonostage/
Dear @wynpalmer4 : Here in México we say " free-lancer " to some experts that give support by free or through $$.
" Your perspective on the effect of feedback is, in my opinion, facile, "
I posted about only to say that no matter what and as any audio item has its own " color " not neutral. If that color is neutral for you fine with me. R. |
Here is the recognized US definition of freelancer: A freelancer is an independent contractor who earns wages on a per-job or per-task basis, typically for short-term work. Benefits of freelancing include the freedom to work from home or from a non-traditional workspace, a flexible work schedule, and a better work-life balance. Sometimes in certain areas (such as journalism) free lancers evan work for free to build up a portfolio or a reputation. This is not that. This is entirely a hobby. It is entertainment in these, my declining years, with no expectation of a reward of any sort, except, perhaps, to satisfy a degree of curiosity which, fortunately, has not declined with the passing of the years. |
I got hold of a Pyxi and took it to a friend's place last night where a few others joined in. One friend, Mike, isn't an audiophile, he has Sonos speakers around his house. We listened to a track and then switched out the system owner's iFi iPhono 3 with upgraded power supply to the Pyxi, repeating the track. The difference was stark, and Mike immediately said, "wow, there's a lot more detail with this one." The ear knows. The system owner will be selling an iPhono 3 once he gets his hands on a Pyxi. Mike was talking about getting a turntable and other decent components when I dropped him off at home. |
If you read the thorough white paper written by @wynpalmer4 , one would not be surprised that this phono stage sounds excellent and competes with much higher priced phono stages. How do I know? One of my phono stages uses opamps and it is fantastic. Competes with the many discrete and tube units I have owned over the years. The good designers of today will tell you that opamps have improved greatly over the years and I believe they are right. I would like to try this phono stage. https://sotaturntables.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sota-pyxi-whitepaper.pdf |
We need a blind test to sample a full feedback design vs. the no feedback design. Maybe use a decent budget mm cart like an AT Vm95en or At vm95ml, and compare a few short samples using the Pyxie and a comparably priced discrete design such as the hagerman bugle or the Darlington labs mm5. It may help to point out the sonic differences between the two design philosophies - assuming the differences can be discerned.
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