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Phono amp recommendations

I am thinking of upgrading my phono amp and would like recommendations in a sub $2000 phono stage. I don't even have an "A" list yet and will build it off of others recommendations and some listening of course. I have a Nottingham Spacedeck with the New AceSpace arm, shelter 501 II, Belles Auricap 21A pre and ref. 150A poweramp. Dynaudio Special 25 speaker with Shunyata Gemini speaker and Aries interconnects. I love acoustic music, look a bit more towards warmth than detail. I listen to about 65%vinyl, 34% CDP and 1% wondering what I am going to listen to next. I listen to a wide variety of music, strong leaning to jazz, bluegrass, blues, acoustic rock and popular music, some classical pieces as well. Thanks for your input. Oh, I currently use a Dynavector P75 which is a great little amp, I am just thinking my other equipment could give me a little more with a nicer phono stage.
davt

Showing 5 responses by davt

davt's avatar
davt OP
505 posts
 
Boy, thanks for the ideas. I think I need to add the K&K to my list and give it a listen. I have also been thinking or perhaps springing for a Sutherland Phd as the battery really appeals to me, and the $400+ savings on a power cord.

Audio_blow_hard, the Belles really needs no smoothing out. Super combination couldn't be happier. The Dynaudio's do have a slight forward personality and are about the best sounding speakers I have ever heard regardless of price on about 80% of the albums with the right electronics. With carefull cabling I have increased that to about 90%. Perhaps with the right phono amp I'll get 95%. (I do have a small to med. listening room so a big speaker is not needed)

Thanks again to all, I will follow up on some of these suggestions. David.
davt's avatar
davt OP
505 posts
 
Nicksgem10s, I am sending you an e-mail but will also post here so others may benefit from the question. I have read some of your earlier posts, when you had the Eastern Electric MiniMax Phono were you using it with the Dynaudio 20XH? The reason for the question is that I spoke to a few who have reviewed the EE and they felt that it was a little shy at the extreme's of high and low, this was also mentioned in Fremer's review, in the MM mode that did not take advantage of the MC transformers. I get the impression that for this amp to really shine one would need to mate it with a low output MC cart. Your input is appreciated.
David.
davt's avatar
davt OP
505 posts
 
Sberger, how would you compare the jtli to the Dynavector P75, I see you have used the Dynavector in the past.
davt's avatar
davt OP
505 posts
 
I got the standard spacedeck but with the new arm. I wanted the arm the most. All things being equal I would have liked the newer AceSpace turntable with the new bearing and higher mass motor but I had set a budget and was getting darn close to it. I had to consider a nicer phono stage in the future and some isolation and decided that since I could get the new arm on the Spacedeck and the track record on the spacedeck was so good I would go that direction. I am very, very pleased. I hope to post the system soon. Overall, breathtaking. Highly recommend the spacedeck with new acespace arm.
davt's avatar
davt OP
505 posts
 
Well, after a great deal of research I ordered a MiniMax phono stage. Not because it is the best phono stage available at the price but because the consensus of it's attributes will probably work with my system the best. I am a little hesitant because I was very please with the dynaudio P75 and recommend it highly but feel that I could perhaps get a little more out of my system with an upgrade. I will post my review once I get it broken in. Thanks to all for your input.
David.
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