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Phono stage help for Nott Spacedeck/Anna/Dynavectr

Hello, once again I am searching for help from the experts. I have my Spacedeck up and running and definitely see what all the fuss is about vinyl. Good records are sounding great & great records are sounding incredible. I have been using the built in MM phono stage of my DK Design VS1-II with good success. I know there is much improvement to be had with a stand alone phono stage. My current cartridge is a Dynavector 20x-h which I like so far. I think it is a pretty sweet value. The phono stages I am considering in the future are as follows: Please comment or make suggestions....
Eastern Electric Minimax tube phono stage, Art Audio Vinyl One (or K&K Phono same stage right?), Pass Labs XONO, & Whest 20. I won't be able to audition at this time. Please let me know your thoughts or opinions. My system link is good still accept for the Nott Spacedeck/anna arm isn't updated yet. Thanks again.
nicksgem10s
12 responses Add your response
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
Have not heard the Eastern. The K&K bests the XONO by a large margin and the Whest by a smaller but not insignificant margin, IMHO.

BTW, the K&K is more on a footing with the Art Audio Vinyl Reference than the One.
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Having heard the Whest 2.0 with the Nott/ Spaceace/ZYX Airy3 combo..I can cheerfully recommend it. This is one exceptional phono stage.Big soundstage, great bass, smooth highs and mids and coherence from top to bottom are some of its strong points.

I have not heard any of the others mentioned.
santanaali
78 posts
 
I am running a DK VS1 Mark1 with an Art Audio Vinyl One. I prefer the One over the Reference by a large margin. If you go that route be sure and ge one with a volume (gain) control. The rest of the system is: MMF-7 with a ZYX Airy 3 into GMA's Europas
Cheers
brianhutch
55 posts
 
I am using both an x-ono and a dual mono K+K with a nottingham table and anna also have a sme3012 mounted, in back to back listening most people seem to prefer the K+K over the pass no matter which arm is hooked to which phono.sorry have not tried a dynavector yet.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
I will throw my hat in the ring for the K&K. This is a wonderful sounding phono stage that really fits the old cliche' of "best of both worlds". It has just enough tube goodness, but plenty of slam, dynamics and frequency extension of the SS sort. My highest recommendation.

Oz
william7
53 posts
 
Have you seen the review on the Eastern Electric MiniMax phono at 6moons that was just released
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
Nice plug for your product Bill. Do you think this is an appropriate place for such?

Oz
nicksgem10s OP
98 posts
 
I am really interested in the K&K but really intimidated by the DIY assembly required. I am beyond novice when it comes to DIY. I also am really short on time at the moment. I did email Kevin to find out about the cost of an assembled one. I am still undecided. Any more ideas are more than welcome. Thanks to all the people who have taken the time to help. You people make it much easier for me to enjoy this wonderful hobby & really appreciate how great music can be.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
The cost of an assembled K&K should be somewhere around 2K. The price of the Lundahl trannies have elevated the price recently. As much as I find Bill's plug for the Minimax phono out of place in this forum, it does look like a good candidate at it's price point. The 6moons review was very favorable.

Oz
john_tracy
341 posts
 
Assembly of the K&K is not that bad. If you can solder a PC board, 20 or so hours should do it. If you do decide to build it, high quality solder such as Cardas Eutectic and a temp. controlled soldering iron are highly recommended.
nicksgem10s OP
98 posts
 
I have decided to give the Eastern Electric Minimax Phono
preamp a try. It had nothing to do with Bill mentioning the review in my thread as I had already corresponded with him on the piece several times. In a perfect world I would have been able to hear the K&K & the Eastern Electric in my own system before deciding. I really appreciate all the input & suggestions. I am not ready for the DIY at this point in my life. Someday when I have more time I would love to try it. Thanks to everyone, especially Ozzy62 who seems to always chime in with sound advice on my questions about analog. You guys are great.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
Good luck and let us know how the Minimax sounds.

Oz
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