Phono stage comparisons


I'm looking at 3 possible used phonostages.  In order of price least expensive to most - Sutherland 20/20, PS Audio Stellar, and Manley Chinook.  I am leaning towards either the Stellar or the Chinook but the price on the Sutherland is hard to pass up.  

All three get very good reviews.  I am hoping someone has actual experience with them and cares to share.  FYI I am currently using a Musical Surroundings Phonomena ll pre.  

Thanks 

pkatsuleas

I always recommend getting return option on anything involving Phono, it is about ’preferred’ not necessarily ’better’.

Think long, possible future cartridges, (preferred, alternate, stereo, mono) possible two tonearms, PASS for MM, a few optional gains, a few optional loads, and possibly two inputs, external front selectable the easiest.

It’s very nice to be able to play friend’s cartridges occasionally, gonna hear one here friday.

The Sutherland, you need to remove it’s cover and change jumpers to change settings, fine for any single cartridge, but not good for alternates.

In my case MM Phono EQ via tube preamp's MM Phono Stage; MM Pass and MC Options via passive Step Up Transformer

My loading is directly tied to the 4 optional gains, so I must choose cartridges that fit those specifics, separate gain and load is needed for some cartridges with let’s say ’quirky’ rather than ’difficult’ combo of coil impedance and signal strength.

Thanks all for the thoughtful responses. I went ahead with the Sutherland. Hopefully will pick it up tonight and get it set up soon. The Phonomena 2 is the best I’ve had out of several budget phono stages.  I can see the chinook or a different tube phono stage in my future.  For now, looking forward to seeing some improvement with the 20/20!

Happy listening 

Darlington Labs MP8.

MC and MM capable

Internal EQ.

Multiple settings accommodate any cartridge.

Dead quiet and very musical.