Phono Stage Recommendation $3000

I purchased an Allnic 1201 about a month ago. I cannot overstate how pleased I am. I am coming from a McIntosh solid state phono pre that was built into an integrated amp. So quite a jump in terms of technology. And, the difference in sound was not subtle. Tempted to say I will be Allnic for life. 

Needle Doctor and Galen Carol  carry Herron Audio.

you have IMO one of the best SS line stage on planet...at least give the Ayre phono a shot...

`I have heard this one and it is within budget and superb - buy two if you need to

http://www.tron-electric.co.uk/phono-amplifiers/convergence-phono-stage/

Here's one nobody mentioned, K&K Audio Maxxed Out Phono Stage.
You can get it with 2 inputs. I run mine with a Lyra Kleos SL with no problems, sounds wonderful.

@oilmanmojo

I used the ZYX with my UNIverse cartridge

I like another ZYX device for MC cartridges which can work well with any MM phono stage. This is ZYX CPP-1 Pre-Preamp (Headamp). I have replaced a block of 9 batteries inside CPP-1 and now it works even better. The goal of the ZYX headamp is their special input resistors made with the same cryo copper wire they use for coil of MC cartridges. The device looks very simple inside, but the sound quality is spectacular, i’ve been using it with ZYX cartridges before, but now i’m using it with very rare Klipsch MCZ Ruby MC cartridge. Pure magic with my JLTi !

Another great phono stage that impressed me pretty much is a brand new Gold Note PH-10 from Italy. In terms of usability for LOMC cartridges this is the best phono stage i have ever tried!

Try the Tavish Design Adagio for less than 2k or the Vintage or Classic for less than 1k - at least check out the website before deciding
works well with wide variety of carts separate power supply eyc
i use the MM with A23 and Fidelity Research SUT with phenomenal results  

I have currently a Clearaudio Basic +
Will the JC3 (standard) be significantly better ?

Pass labs just released.the XP-17 phone preamp and have used for few weeks and am very pleased.

It has tremendous PRAT and very open dynamics and deep bass with my pass labs integrated 250 amp and harbeth 40.2 speakers.

Two SS phono stages that i have used are the ZYX artisan and the RCM sensor II and both in this price range (or close). I used the ZYX with my UNIverse cartridge on my Maplenoll Apollo for several years, but when got my UNIverse ll, i moved on to the RCM Sensor II. Both are very solid phono stage, quiet noise floor and IMO work well with moving coil cartridges. the ZYX does not have any adjustments but the RCM allows for Capacitance and Gain adjustments. Interestingly, the RCM Sensor is from a Polish company that specializes in tube amplifiers. Just a thought in your price range 

BP 

Nahh - there are others too :-)  

http://www.libertyaudio.com/products/b2b-1-all-fet-phono-preamp

And you should read the closing arguments by JA here :-) 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/liberty-audio-b2b-1-phono-preamplifier-measurements

Good Listening

Peter

I also called Keith and ordered my VTPH-2 directly from him.

Regards,
-- Al
 

I guess you could call Keith Herron.  That's how I got mine.  Phone number should be somewhere on his website.

Where, or how, does one purchase Heron gear? The website does not address this vital question. 

BTW, NOTHING MATTERS except what a specific phono stage sounds like.  All Raul's pontification and lack of engineering credibility don't hold water.  The only thing that does is performance.  Tubes have shown many times to be superior to solid state.  IMO, the Herron Audio Phono Stage, particularly the VTPH-2A, are consistently among the very best available at any cost.  Period.  I know of no phono stage, tube or solid state, that betters the VTPH-2a and few, if any, that equal its PERFORMANCE.  It's how it sounds that counts.  PERIOD.  END OF REPORT.  END OF REVIEW.  NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. 

Raul -

A couple of quick questions for clarification of your extremely articulate and insightful comment....

Are transistors actually more linear than tubes?  Please cite your specific evidence.

When did you actually hear a Herron Audio Phono Stage and what equipment was associated with that listening session?  What equipment did you use for comparison? 

rotaryphone - I think you're being extremely generous and gracious.  But I think you're on the right track with Homer.

Tube...no tube...half tube.....if it turns me on.....it's all good.

Dear @rauliruegas what you have said has made some sense to me. Currently have no tubes in the system aside from the second table which has a Project Phono Box DS. Now thinking to go the Halo JC3 route or get the Avid Pulses. Choices choices. Or maybe wait a few months go for the top of the line Avid. I am very happy with the Avid I have right now. 

Dear @pgalvin: Yes, Moon are very well designed with very good quality excecution. It's an other alternative for the OP.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I tried 2 others but settled on the  Moon 310LP Neo. Really like it with my Rega RP8.

Rau... you are simpson. 

Dear @srafi: The worst place to introduce tubes always are tubes, don't make this heavy mistake. People recomend tubes more because they are accustom to tubes and was what the corrupted AHEE teached to all of us through the years. So people preferes because ignorance.
 Tubes makes more damage to the critical cartridge signal that any advantage.

@inna is totally wrong because that ignorance I'm talking about.

You already own Ayre electronics and you can mate it with Ayre unit:

https://www.ayre.com/p5xe.htm  

or the JC3+ that is designed by J.Curl.

The Herron comes with tubes, I repeat this technology goes against the cartridge signal.

Btw, @inna do you think that this is a serious rig or not enough for you?:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/615 

no tubes here.

Regards an enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Another vote for the Herron--sounds terrific!! I'm not sure you will need a SUT if you chose the higher gain tube configuration (it can be ordered two ways with different gains depending on which tubes are used). Talk with Keith, he will give you the straight scoop and help you throughout the REST of you audio journey!

Tavish Audio Adagio

Al, thanks as always.

Hello Kalali,

Your question is a good one, but I believe it has a good answer.  The OP mentioned in the initial post that he uses an Ayre KX-R line stage.  The KX-R has an extremely high input impedance of 1 megOhm single-ended or per phase balanced, which no reasonably designed phono stage will have a problem driving.  (John Atkinson's measurements in Stereophile essentially confirmed that number, btw). 

Also, the KX-R provides an independent gain adjustment for each input covering a range of 0 to +6 db.  Finally, as stated in its manual:

...there is a single resistor per channel that sets the overall gain range. This gain resistor is mounted in a terminal block and can be changed without the need for soldering. 

So compatibility with what would be downstream of any of the phono stages that have been suggested shouldn't be an issue in this case.

Best regards,
-- Al
 

Understood but shouldn’t the matching between the phono stage and the downstream line stage preamp and power amplifier be a consideration?

My understanding is because phono stage, tonearm, cartridge, and turntable together as a source component alone.

Sorry if this may seem off topic but I’m also looking for a phono stage but at a lower price bracket. That said, I’m wondering why no one asked about the downstream gear, e.g., what line stage preamplifier or amplifier, etc. Why is that?

Used Cary Audio PH-302 mk ii

4 ea 6SL7 tubes plus a 5AR4 rectifier tube
variable loading
MM input plus MC input 

dead quiet and very musical 

can be fitted with an outboard power supply 

Srafi:  I have the Aesthetix Rhea Signature and love it. It started out as a basic Rhea and upgraded, before I heard it. It's very versatile. I've had many AR models and the Rhea is much more warm sounding to me. Start out with the basic and if u choose, u can upgrade.   Handyman. 

Decware Zp3!

I'm surprised no one mentioned the BMC Phono MCCI. I have compared it to phono stages costing a lot more and its been a keeper in my system for quite a while. Its not flexible (only a single input, only MC), but its a winner and a complete steal. 

Audio Research ph-6 with bugle boys tubes - around $2000 used

Hi,
I've tried several phono stages. Including Pass, Audio Research.
I finally found one that I will never give up.
Quicksilver Audio phono stage.
Lush, Gorgeous, satisfying sound, IMHO.
Came with 3 nos 12ax7.
Sounded great stock, but even better when I rolled in 3 Telefunken smooth plates.
$1595 new.
I have no affiliation with the company, but have owned several Quicksilver tube amps, and now the stand alone phono stage.
Mike Sanders is a great designer, with a great ear for reproducing music.
Again, just my opinion.
Mg16

I would recommend the Avid Pulsus. You could save about $1200.00 as well.

I would very highly recommend the Perreaux Audiant VP3 Phono Stage of which I bought a brand new one back in Oct of 2016. I did compare it to the Parasound JC3 and to me the Perreaux was better in every way, plus it cost less and made in New Zealand. It was for my new Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable and oh man what a turntable it is. I compared my RPM 10 against the vpi prime and liked the Pro-Ject better. You can't go wrong with the Perreaux phono Stage. All the best.

Tavish Adagio
read the reviews 

I'm happy with my Benz Lukaschek PP-1 TT9.

Sounds like you want something higher end, and tube, though.

Just thought I would chime in for lower budget suggestions.

Also consider an EAR 324 MM/MC phono preamp.  Retail is around $6k but there is a used one available on Audiogon now for sale within your budget.  Very versatile and though a solid state phono preamp, it doesn't sound solid state.  After speaking with the USA EAR distributor, there is not much different sound in the 324 solid state vs 868 tube phono stage they make.  I would prefer the EAR over Herron and the Parasound personally.  If I were in the market for a phono stage, it would either be the EAR 324 or a Zesto Andros.   I had the Zesto before and sold it for the EAR 324 which I currently own (though I will also be putting it up for sale as I recently sold my turntable).   Best of luck!

I had a ModWright phono pre that I used with a DL 103R.  They mated well.

 Wished I still had it.

Hi -

Everything is so system dependent but please read my preamp shootout.  After 40 years of listening and a lot of gear passing through my system I would strongly recommend going the used route for either a CAT SL-1 (either an ultimate, which I picked up for $3k or a signature MKll which I sold for $2k).  Use in hot-rod mode (only using phono) unless you also like the sound of the line stage.  Replace two phono 6dj8 tubes with Amperex 6922 pq white label tubes.  Simply one of the best sounding phono sections ever in my system (along with  coincident phono with 5751 sylvania tubes but $4k used) The break-point for needing a SUT is around .4mv output. I primarily listen to a Benz micro LP-S or a Monster Alpha 2 cartridge through an EAR MC-4 SUT.  However, I also have a clearaudio maestro and it sounds good going straight into the CAT, The Maestro is not equal to the Benz or the Monster in my kit, but it is pretty darn musical.  Once again, Please read the preamp shootout and good luck.

Consider older Sutherland Engineering units. Some of them are even battery powered.

I also suggest the Herron VTPH-2.  I have NOS Telefunkens in mine and it sounds wonderful. Plus Keith will let you try it in your system for 30 days only had to pay shipping if I decided to return it; obviously I didn't.

Chuck 

Thanks again guys. Now I am torn between the the Herron and the JC3. 
I am not based in the US so for me its one or the other. Have to decide and order. Parasound has a dealer local to me while for the Herron I would have to arrange on my own. The Herron and the SUT option sounds very good. Could get just the Herron for now and use my Clearaudio MM cart with it until next year and then get the SUT. 
If I can arrange I may go with the Herron. 
Again thanks a lot for the input and advice. 

 I heard the Herron and an aesthetics Rea signature side-by-side and the herron Was significantly better. 

infection, your name speaks for itself.

So I'm the only one to deprecate your statement...???
And I certainly can't criticise someone with such a high post count...how dare I.

@rsf507 
Sadly note my friend - I was thinking of getting one due to the various 'options'.
The guys at TNT tend to give very honest reviews and I have found them quite accurate and informative.

I’ll give a shout out for the Ayre P5xe as well since I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the dead quiet silence.  How about a used Asthestix Rhea, if you can find one? It sounded amazing last time I heard one and it’s tube. Plus, you can connect both your tables since it supports two inputs. 

lohanimal you said:
check this out:
http://www.goldnote.it/ph-10#description
it has 2 inputs, various loading options, and different eq curves and all within your price range

A quick search found lots of great reviews have you heard one yet?