There's a set of phono stage reviews at Twittering Machines. Michael Lavorgna at some point in the round up states he liked the Aurorasound Vida Prima and the EAR Phono Classic with the Denon DL103. What appeals to me is that he also used a 2M Black in his reviews, and that's a cartridge I've used for years.
I'm going to read up on the Aurorasound, but I wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions, and in many cases for their opinions shared on older Audiogon threads regarding SUTs, transimpedance, cartridges and phono stages. There are some experienced folks on the forum.
zufan, I liked the Puffin, and occasionally wished that I'd kept it
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@jasonbourne71 I also have a new Pioneer PLX1000! 2 weeks old & I'm knocked out how good it is. I'm using a new Zu modded Denon 103 cart, with Zu Mission phono cable.
Re the OP: check out Parks Audio. I own the Puffin. Newest model called Waxwing. Nothing like them. Totally unique tech & approach.
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When I was running a Denon DL-301II I switced from a Schitt Mani (not 2) To an Emotiva XPS-1 and finally to a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II which I bought used for $295. I am very happy with the Phononena II and see no reason to upgrade. I now run an Audio-Technica AT33PTG/2, which I think is a fabulous cartidge for the money, and the Phonomena II sounds even better. No desire to upgrade.
The Phonomena III is going for $1,200 on Music Direct. (not affiliated in any way)
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lewm, thank you.
vthokie83, the Aric Super Phono is MM. I do like his pieces. But with an SUT I'm up around $3k, and I just don't have the space at the moment.
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Zarf, I think you meant to say that the TZ Vibe is specifically designed for LOMC cartridges with very low internal resistance. The DL103 is an LOMC with relatively high internal resistance and so would not be the best match with the TZ Vibe or any other current driven phono stage.
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You seem to be familiar with Aric Audio, why don't you give Aric Kimball a call to see if his Super Phono preamp might fit the bill for you. At $2,500 it's more than your stated budget
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@zarf I have 2 - 103-r's in my stash. 1 is a VAS upgrade & the other is original. Both are setup for my EMT 948 & it has its's own preamp card. Before the EMT, I was bouncing around the idea for my Technics & read a lot of reviews of the AU-103 SUT matching the 103-R.
I'll be watching!
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I appreciate the Sutherland recommendations. KC would allow switching among all cartridges, but the TZ is specific to low output MC. KCs seem readily available. Lounge seems to have op-amps, and I might prefer discrete.
theflattire, I have an MP7 in a different system, as an MM only phono pre. I know that there are newer models without an SUT requirement for MC cartridges. I'd recommend it as well, and I'm using it with a 2M Black. It's a keeper.
inagroove, the Zesto does seem to be pretty adjustable. A nice one sold recently. I appreciate that the 103Rs may have led you there.
armstrod, I do like the ability to roll 12AX7s. I have multiple pairs and some familiarity as a result. The Aric Audio Unlimited II uses them as well.
danmar123, that piece is a work of art. I don't know anything about it. I'm going off to read some reviews on these suggestions.
I've used a Parks Puffin, and enjoyed the adjustability and tweak potential. I wonder about picking one up again, used. I replaced it with the Darlington, which has been a keeper.
Thanks to all for the recommendations so far. What appeals to me about this particular cartridge is the product lifetime, and the fact that there's an aftermarket if you'd like to go further, rather than add another cartridge to the collection.
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Have you looked into a Denon AU-103?
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I own a 103R and really liked it with the E.A.T. E-Glo Petit. It has plenty of gain, gives you the ability to roll the 12AX7s, front (actually top) panel controls for easy loading changes, and really quiet.
I've owned a number of under $500 solid state phono preamps, and while they were all competent there was a very audible difference as I moved up the chain.
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I got a good deal on a Sutherland KC Vibe, and I was blown away at the sound quality I heard for under $700. I can say the same for the Schiit Mani 2. I gave my son a Rega P3 I wasn't using to see if they would get into vinyl, and needed an inexpensive phono amp. I bought the Mani based on my prior experience with Schiit Audio products. Incredible performance for the price.
There's no need to take out a second mortgage to achieve quality sound. I just laugh when I see people on here debating on gear that cost as much as my pick up truck, bass boat and trailer. Believe me, the truck, boat, and trailer will get used a lot more and will have much greater resell value. I love my music and my 60+ year vinyl collection -- but my vintage system sounds fine.
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Zarf
I have used 103Rs (4 in all) for many years.
During that time I also upgraded to my Phono Preamp to a Zesto Andros 1.2. It is a very flexible Pre (lots of Ohm settings, even separate L/R grounds) and sounded great with the 103Rs.
It uses 4 12Ax7 tubes (2 per channel and inexpensive to replace) and to my ear, it out performs SS options.
Because it is an older model, second-hand units are quite inexpensive on AG and elsewhere.
Lastly, the Owner/Designer, George, still answers the phone himself (I called him to chat about tube rolling).
Good luck,
P.S. I am an end-user and not affiliated with the audio industry
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I recommend you look at the Lounge Audio LCR series of phono preamplifiers. There are three models, ranging in price from $420 (LCR III) basic model, to $610 (Silver), to $870 (Gold). I am not familiar with your cartridge, but if it is a MC you will need a step-up transformer, which Lounge Audio has for $440 (standard model) or $595 (Silver Wire model). I purchased the Gold model to use with my Thorens TD 126 MKII turntable and Audio-Technica MM cartridge, and I was simply stunned by the quality of reproduction, so much so that I am beginning to look at purchasing more vinyl discs. TheLounge phono preamplifier does a wonderful job of reproducing music that sounds so much more .... .... "organic and alive" than many of my digital recordings. Finally, they are hand-made right here in the US, in the Los Angeles area; I talked several times with Robert Morin, the founder of Lounge Audio and the man who, along with family members, crafts each unit. Is it "the best thing out there?" Probably not, but at the price it yields a superb performance.
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I have a Sutherland TZ Vibe that I use with a Hana ML moving coil cartridge and it's excellent. I haven't heard it with your cartridge. Ron Sutherland is a very nice man if you wanted to visit with him. He has a good return policy if you wanted to try one. Google it and you should find a number of favorable comments.
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Michael Fremer is a tough read for me. He's detailed about his combinations and has reviewed a good amount of gear. The inexpensive gear falls short of the mark of the hyper expensive gear, but it's closer than we think, seems to be a consistent theme.
There are several reviews of the JC3 Jr, one by Fremer in 2018. Another JC3 Jr review likened phono preamps to tennis players. Each one slightly better than the last, until you get to Roger Federer. Correlating somewhat with price, was my impression.
Fremer also reviewed my current ProJect model in 2019. Didn't dislike it actively, and used it to offer playable demo files of the DL103R as stock and with an aluminum cover.
I've ordered from Schiit in the past. The Skoll looks very interesting because of the adjustability. On the other hand, I've had to take advantage of their warranty with some of their pieces. I'm not sure that's the road I want to travel again.
You're right, it is an excellent affordable mc cartridge. I'm just curious what phono preamps folks here might have tried with it. Thanks for sharing your DL103R setup.
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+1 @jasonbourne71
I have an older Schiit Mani that I bought as a backup 5 years ago. I had to swap it in place of my expensive main phono preamp that was tubed and modified with all new caps , etc. I threw my Benz Micro Glider, 1.1mv, via my Vpi Scoutmaster into a 4k tubed preamp, a Krell KAV 250 amp and a pair of Dunlavy SC 3's and couldn't believe my ears. Okay, not a real high end unit in terms of resolution, total punch and separation. But, my goodness, for the price I sure could live with it if I had to. I have had other good Schiit gear and their stuff punches way above their price point. You can't go wrong. Good luck.
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BTW, I have a new DL103R on my new Pioneer PLX1000 TT. It's an excellent affordable mc cartridge! I use a Bellari SUT into the RGR 4 preamp.
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Schiit Mani 2 for $160. Why pay more? Go read Michael Fremer's review on The Tracking Angle. He likes it alot.
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