Phono stage

Add the Manley Chinook to your list!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfpJYJv3ddo

If you’re able to solder, upgrading the GCPH’s power supply, will make a major improvement in it’s presentation. Especially in it’s dynamics(slam) and textural reproduction(cleaner sound, all around) Replace the rectifiers with(http://www.partsconnexion.com/product7566.html), the regulators with positive and negative, 15V DEXAs, from this page(http://www.partsconnexion.com/regulator_dexa.html), upgrade the fuse(I used a Hi-Fi Tuning, Supreme Gold) and the power cord(I used a Zu Mother). btw: When I say, "major", the increase of realism was not at all subtle.

@daveyonthecoast, you might want to consider the Allnic H-1201 phono preamp, I use one and I like it.
With that said, at the risk of ridicule I'm going to make a somewhat radicle recommendation to you. To other readers; if you have not tried this don't criticise it, because it works very well.
Add a Schiit Loki for $149 plus shipping. If it doesn't work for you send it back. You could use the Loki along with your current set up. http://www.schiit.com/products/loki
Here is an Audiogon thread: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/shiit-loki

+1 Allnic 1201, out of your list the Herron is a great choice and the suggestion of the Chinook is a great option as well. Please take note that all 3 of these are tube based.

I have listened extensively to the TW-Acustic phono on your list, and I own the 300b Monoblocks. I'm also partial to the Tron Seven Ultimate, and both of these phonos produce strinkingly natural sound that is relaxed and alive. I have heard excellent bass from both, but that's been system dependent.

A critical part when choosing a phono, and other gear, is knowing that the component works well with your other components in advance of purchase. When I was piecing my system together, my dealer had a number of different fine brands like Tron, Lamm, TW-Acustic, Thoress, etc.. When discussing adding this phono to that line stage, he was upfront about what works and sounds better together. And, cost was not a factor.
Kenny

It's always the case that when someone like yourself posts a list of choices, the recommendations that follow will name components not on the list.  But in this case, I agree with the suggestions.  If you were to choose among the Allnic H1201, the Herron VTPH, and the Manley Chinook, you could not go "wrong".  I bought a second hand Manley Steelhead V2.0 last year, and I am very pleased with it.  If you are willing to buy a "used" unit, your choices go upscale a bit but without a huge upgrade in SQ.

I recommend the Herron VTPH-2 ! I am using NOS Tele's in mine and it sounds fantastic. Also great support. 

Chuck 

Dear @daveyonthecoast: Close to Nirvana?, well......that’s what everyone of us are looking for with out success.

You can choose from here:

http://www.simaudio.com/products/5-phono-amplifiers.html

or from PS Audio new unit:

https://www.psaudio.com/products/nuwave-phono-converter/#tab-features

https://www.psaudio.com/products/nuwave-phono-converter/#tab-reviews


and maybe a cartridge change can help too.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I hate phono preamps, they annoy me. Actually none of them are to my full satisfaction. I'm about ready to build my own. Having said that, stick with the big boys:

Ayre P-5Xe
Parasound JC3+
Pass Labs XP-15/25
Micromega MyGroov

As for vintage, I like the Goldmund PH2/7 and John Curl’s Vendetta.

I don’t recommend tube phonos. I had the Nagra VPS, it sounded like the music was buried underground.

 @invictus005, what does music buried underground sound like? I am getting older and kind of wanted to take my system with me.

The Liberty is NOT a tube design, but according to Michael Fremer’s description of it’s sound in Stereophile a while back, does provide great bass slam. That was in fact one of the things Fremer liked most about it. There happens to be a used one available right now on AudiogoN.

Don't overlook the Rogue Ares...

Invictus, do build your own - that’s a great idea. I just did that very thing, and first note was last night. I wanted variable loading; I’ve got it, both resistive and capacitive. I wanted the final gain stage to be the volume control; I’ve got it. Everything I wanted, I built in.

The results are satisfaction - that is, if it works at all, it’s something of a joy to be able to say, "This is MY system." If it works well, that’s nirvana.

Zestos Andros with Telefunken tubes makes for a very low noise and extremely dynamic preamp.  I get plenty of low frequency response with mine and then 'Slam' you're likely looking for.

I just upgraded my Dynavector 20XL to a Soundsmith MIMC. I was using the phono card for my Mark Levinson 326s preamp. I upgraded to a Sutherland 20/20 phono preamp. The Sutherland is better, but my major improvement came with the MIMC cartridge. 

Here's another vote for the Pass Labs XP15, although it's discontinued now-- replaced by the XP17.  Mark at Reno Hifi is the best of the bunch as far as I am concerned; responsive, delightful, competitively priced, ships quickly and checks to make sure you're happy.

Mark Levinson ML6 mono preamps! Can't afford those? Then the Robert Grodinsky RGR 4 is a good alternative. I am listening to one right now! Check out the review in The Audio Critic!

For vintage tube preamps I can recommend the Bruce Moore designed Precision Fidelity C2 and C7. I owned the C7 at the same time as the PS Audio III and preferred the C7 (which is a phono stage only - with two pots for volume and a switch for 4 sources).

Whatever you choose just make sure you have a good impedance match before you spend any money at all.
A poor match and it will not make any difference if the phono stage cost 10k!
You did not mention the rest of your equipment?
This may help others here better help you in your choice.

Hi David,

You list some good options above (I am a fan of the Herron in particular), but it would be helpful if you provide a more specific price range, as those options are all over the map in terms of price.  However, if "bass" is really where you are coming from, I would unequivocally recommend the ASR Basis Exclusive (please note I state this as an owner of an Allnic H-3000 phono stage).

Best of luck,

Ray

+3 on the Manley Chinook. It is paired with a Soundsmith MIMC Star and ironically just yesterday I was listening and thinking how real cymbals sounded!

Still need to make sure is good impedance match.
For example the Herron has a 500ohm impedance and Keith Herron himself recommeds a 100 to 1 ratio so preamp or integrated would need to be 50k ohms or close.
The real possibility with a severe mismatch is loss of bass and dynamics, something the op clearly does NOT want.

Op, can you let us know the make, model of preamp or integrated you ate using?

You owe it to yourself to check out the EAR 834P, a tube phono stage that provides plenty of bass slam plus a to-die-for midrange and top end.

Cheers,
              SB

I’m surprised I hardly ever see any recommendations for the Aesthetix Rhea Signature. It’s very versatile with both se, as well as balanced connectors, a demagnitising function and has just about all the loading and output selections u could ever want.  It has rich bottom, clear highs and mids.  With low noise tubes it kicks butt.  I love mine going into the Calypso Signature, then into SS mono blocks.  

Lot of great reviews on the new Goldnote PH-10
seems very flexible 

I guess I add to the gold note ph10 vote even though I only got mine yesterday!
Early days but very flexible and should be able to match up well with most preamp or integrated.

Ok just ordered the Goldnote PH10 from Sounds Of Silence for $1295
Should have it in a few weeks not in stock.

$1295? Darn, I paid $1595 only few days ago.
Nice deal!
Enjoy.

Hi David - based on your sonic preferences - take me to the next level, etc - I suggest an Aesthetix phono stage. They sometimes appear used for a fair price. You can move up, if needed, from there. I did, some years ago, investing in a basic version of the Io, and later, upgrading. I have never looked back. I understand what people mean when they say they get "annoyed" by phono stages. Aesthetix solves that. If you are willing to live with some tube noise and heat.

I have had a Herron VDPH-2A for about month now in an excellent system (really excellent) and it adds considerably to to the overall sound. It gets better each day. There are many good phono stages
available. The Herron is a steal. How often do you see a used
Herron on this site ? You do need a careful impedance match
with your preamp as others have said.

I just recently purchased a Nagra VPS.  You can't go wrong here - as long as you don't mind opening the top to switch loads.  The design is absolutely perfect IMO - all very short signal paths.  You will want to match it to your preamp, as others have alluded to, whatever that may be.

Another vote for the Herron, which I just got back from Keith with the "A" updates. It was already an amazing phonostage but I do hear improvements with the upgrades--though it is still breaking in so I can't comment with any detail on the performance as of yet. Keith Herron's product support is off the charts--he has been a trusted advisor and supporter of my habit for a almost a decade now--just a great human being who knows what he is doing and cares deeply about his clients.

I have the Goldnote Ph-10. Give it 100hrs running in and you’ll be stunned at how good it is. Add on external power supply comes out soon too!

4th review of the PH10 in Positive Feedback just out. That has to be a 1st

rauliruegas8,450 posts04-05-2018 3:46pmDear @daveyonthecoast: Close to Nirvana?, well......that’s what everyone of us are looking for with out success.

I have to say that I'm getting very close to my Nirvana.  I upgraded to an ART9 and Manley Chinook with Bugle Boys, and it's awesome with my Primaluna HP integrated and Revel F208s.  I'm sure it could be better, but really... how much better?  The Herron or JC3+ could be better by a margin, but at double the cost.

ART9 and Manley give me a huge soundstage, very neutral top to bottom, and it's oh-so-smooth.  +1 more on the Chinook, and on the ART9.

I am using the TW ACUSTIC phono stage it is the best i have heard in my system.Im using nos Amperex tubes from 1959 sounds wonderful.

I would like to correct a rather broad statement I made above. The Aesthetix is very quiet with the best low noise tubes. These are not very expensive (new production). Even with somewhat worn (but wonderfully musical) Telefunken NOS tubes in the most critical first gain stage of the Aesthetix Io, the tube noise is lower than the vinyl groove noise. All phono stages are compromises, but to my ears, this is the one of the absolute best. 

Over the years i go back to my WLM Phonata reference phono stage and there is always more bass slam compared to any other phono stages in my arsenal. When i used tube intergated with NOS Telefunken tubes i’ve been looking for extended highs with this particular phono stage, i have replaced load resistors for MM to vishay naked foil 100k Ohm, but the independent MC circuit of the WLM was always a bit too dark for me with various LOMC carts. Now when i changed my tube gear to First Watt F2J power amp with First Watt B1 buffer preamp everything changed, i use my FR-7f LOMC with WLM Phonata and it’s a thrilling experience. The highs are chrystal clear with deep bass slam. The main feature of this phono stage is automatic impedance matching so that the input impedance for the cartridge is perfect each and every time. There are two lundahl transformers inside. But anyway in my case power amp has changed everything!

Sometimes we judge the phono stage, but it's actually an amp. 
The potential of my phono stage is much bigger than i expected.