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Phono Amp for new Rega Planar 10 with Apheta 3

I am looking for a phono stage that let my Rega Planar 10 with Apheta 3 discover its full potential. What are your thoughts driven by experience? I tried new Chord Huey ($1495) but I have a feeling its an underperformer considering Rega's $7k price tag. Similar situation with Rega Aria - will it be enough? Any Aria users out there? 
The Rega's top of the line Aura is severely overpriced in US and honestly I am not sure I fully justify spending that much on a phono stage.
Any recommendations greatly appreciated! 
arturgorniak

Showing 8 responses by arturgorniak

arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
So I am back to the game - P10 with Apheta 3 is arriving Tuesday and I need the phono that will fully show the deck and cart potential. Perhaps Aura or Luxman EQ500? What about Sutherland Duo or Little Loco?
arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
I have been truly intrigued by the Herron phono stage and emailed Keith yesterday with some questions. I need to know his return policy as I would be buying phono stage completely blind (deaf, I should say) without a chance of hearing it. 

Do you guys think running longer single-ended connection (15') between the Herron and my amp, will not cause any issues?
As far as I know the Keith's phono is not balanced so I am a little nervous about possibility of noise being picked up by a longer cables.
arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
I also got intrigued by the Cyrus Phono Signature - any users here??? What HiFi uses it as cost no object reference phono...I particularly like small foot print, decent gain and separate power supply available as an option. 
arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
I have no experience with neither phono stages - PH10 and VTPH2A. I did some reading about the Heron phono and could not really find a negative review. 
($3.7k sounds pretty steep thou. Knowing that the dealer mark up is usually 40%...I could consider one let's say 20%.....)

How about Manley Chinook? or Chord Symphonic? Does anybody have any experience with those? 

arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
Yes, it is mine! I think I am done with analog. At least for now! :)
arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 

Thank you all for good recommendation. Owned several high end turntables with expensive cartridges and some quite good phono stages. The conclusion I have reached is that if you have so-so system, average record player will make you very happy. On the other hand if the rest of your system is top-notch (including high end digital source), it is very difficult for analog to match or outperform digital without spending major $$$$$.

I tried several phono stages in $2-3k category and they all sound so so….the game changes once high-end phono is used. The problem is that I do not want to spend $20k just for my analog front experience to justify it as better than my digital front.


arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
Steve,

when I started it, I intended to further pursue the analog....Audiogon changed the way you edit your posts so I cannot delete it. Hence the discussion...
arturgorniak OP
80 posts
 
Since I made this post I made some major upgrades. I am currently using SME 12A deck with SME V arm,  Hana Umami Red cartridge and Simaudio 810LP phono stage in fully balanced combination.
All cables are Cardas Clear Beyond. 
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