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Phono Preamps with "balls" ?

taking the cue from another thread about speakers with "balls" - what are some phono preamps that you have found to be the most powerful, dynamic and yet still sound clean.  
i turn on my digital sources and they are often much more robust sounding and would like to know if there are phono preamps that can deliver.  thanks in advance  
avanti1960

Showing 4 responses by invictus005

invictus005
597 posts
 
Let me just start by saying that most phono preamplifiers out there are just simply terrible. It's the hardest component to get right. What I found to sound good:

Parasound JC3
Micromega MyGroov
Goldmund PH7
invictus005
597 posts
 
We can also add Pass Labs XP-15 and XP-25 to the list.
invictus005
597 posts
 
0.25mV Denon 103R with 54dB ARC PH-3 will have zero proverbial balls.
invictus005
597 posts
 
But what JFETs should we use? Fake Chinese junk Toshibas from eBay? Or the mostly crap LS? I've just about had it with those guys. Last batch I ordered directly from them of LSK389Cs, 50% didn't meet spec. 

Sure, some of us have NOS parts. But this JFET era is coming to an end.
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