2. amps-preamps
  3. 1263355070

Phono pre to mate with Helikon? & replace Groove

I have a Linn LP-12/Ekos/Helikon playing through a Tom Evans Groove phono stage. I'm looking for maybe a little more gain, and maybe a little more magic.

Budget? I'd like to put in maybe $1500-2000 plus what I fetch for the Groove (close to 2K according to recent sales on A'gon).

Among consideration -- a used Audio Research PH7, and if I stretch it, a four year old ASR Basis Exclusive.

I play all kinds of music, and I like my sonic signature to be pretty dynamic.

The rest of the system is a Cary SLP-05, Cary MB500's and Aerial 9's.

Any advice or help you can offer is appreciated.
rbirke

Showing 1 response by gregm

gregm
3,412 posts
 
The ASR is not what I'd associate with "magic" (but it's precise) and the PH 7 would not be the ultimate in dynamics -- but a nice phono all the same.
At your price point, maybe something like the "LCR Cole" would do the trick... It was dynamic enough when I heard it some time ago, albeit on a Clearaudio based rig.
More to discover