Phonostage recommendations under $3K

@grk,

Thanks for the wishes.  What did you end up upgrading to? 
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/phono-stage-recommendations-2

@larryi,

I hear you on tube phono’s. I am using one in my system. The SunValley tube phono peaked my interest, that’s a very interesting piece. It’s definitely worth trying :-) 

Anyone here tried the Chord Symphonic MC phono? I would love to hear your feedback.

The Hana Red Umami / EAT E-Glo S is settling down nicely. For past week or so, I’ve heard incremental improvements.

If I am going to be settling with a MC cart, I wonder if pursuing a MC only phono would offer a better sound over purpose built MM/MC phono’s?

@jayctoy,

Thanks for the heads up. I have been exploring this segment of the analog chain, so many high performers in my price range.

I was reading up on JE Audio HP10, appears to be a well built phonostage,

http://www.je-audio.com/product-details.php?id=12

Anyone here have any experience with E.A.T.  E-Glo S or E-Glo Petit phono stages? 

+1, three_easy_payments. 
@mulveling,

I would ignore mc and his usual  "$10K performance for $3K" talk. In his world, any and everything he owns represents over the top high value 😂

Thanks for your post and recommendation on VAC and Hagerman. 

“A phono stage so good (and well built) it may well serve you the rest of your life.”

Thank you @millercarbon for your feedback. Well, it’s not only the initial cost, I am also considering the additional cost of NOS tubes. I guess that’s all can come at a later time. I couldn’t find any info on stock tubes (2 x 12AX7, 3 x 12AT7) being included with the phonostage. In any case, it seems VTPH-2A offers a lot at $4K price point.

Did you tube rolled your VTPH-2A yet or still using stock tubes? If yes, what tubes you have tried and found to be best with VTPH-2A.

Jeff@frozentundra & @nekoaudio,

Thank you for your recommendations. I will check them out.

@simao,

I had a great conversation with Keith about an hour ago. He is going to look at my system and get back with a recommendation as far as what loading plugs to experiment with in my system. I will say this, the one on one consultation with the designer is priceless.

@three_easy_payments,

It’s good to know VTPH-2A is immunize to tube rolling :-)

“The weakest link in the VTPH2A is the FET-based MC gain stage. The VTPH2A sounds best with a decent SUT if you’re using a MC cart”

This is definitely a cause for concern. I prefer not to use a SUT. This opens a can of worms...extra set of cables, shelf space and above all the quality of the transformer.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations. I’ve made a list and going to explore the what’s available for in-home audition.  

@chakster,

The Vida is on my top 5 list but I can only afford it used :-) 

@keithr,

Please post your feedback once you get situated with Maverick. I did look at the phono when I was considering F&R Montrose turntable.

Alright folks, I have shortlisted few phono pre’s and now the fun begins. I will report my findings as I find my ways to audition them over the course of next few months. 
The list (in no particular preference), 

Luxman EQ-500
Aurorasound VIDA
Herron VTPH-2A
LFD LE/SE
TRON Convergence
EAT e-glo S
whest three signature

EAT e-glo S with external LPS on the way. 

https://www.europeanaudioteam.com/en/e.a.t.-e-glo-s-tube-phono-preamplifier-wp000038.html

@grk,

Great! Please post your impressions once you get fully acclimated with EQ-500 :-)

@mulveling,

Thanks for your kind words. I’ve been a long time admirer of your audio system. I figured just as much to try few phono’s and see which one of these phono pre sounds best in my system.

Please do post your impressions of Hagerman Trumpet MC here. It will be very interesting to learn how Trumpet performs against VAC Renaissance.

@photomax,

Based on what I’ve heard with ZPhono XRM, you will be more than pleased with JC3+. The meticulous dual mono design and low-carbon mild steel partitions isolating the power supplies should yield inky background and lowest noise floor. One thing that impressed me is their on the fly cart adjustments. It is a tweaker’s delight :-)

Please post your feedback at your earliest convenience, thank you!

@chakster,

I just realized, I did not post the latest updates with my Analog setup. I no longer own the Thorens TD1601 / Hana ML and Parasound ZPhono.

My new Analog setup is,

SME Model 15A / Hana Umami Red Cart / EAT E-Glo S w/external LPS.

I got the SME and E-Glo here but waiting on Umami Red to arrive by this weekend. Apparently the distributor can’t keep up with the demand. And yes, at some point I’ll bring Vida for comparison with E-Glo S.

@three_easy_payments,

I am expecting Umami Red by this weekend, stay tuned for feedback sometime next week.

@cerrot,

Congrats on your H3000. I do appreciate your offer but for now I am not making any changes until I get fully versed with newly arrived SME Model 15A / Hana Umami Red Cart / EAT E-Glo S w/external LPS. 

Thanks @chakster. Will check it out, for now I am enjoying my time with E-Glo S with external LPS. It has surpassed all of my expectations, gorgeous relaxed sound that is expected from any well made tube phono. The build quality and the sound certainly punches way above its asking price.

@fbpearce,

Thanks for your recommendation. May I know what cartridge you’re pairing with E1? 

Nope, the US dealer who also happens to be the distributor of Vida apparently not interested in dishing out a demo piece. My email / phone call to Alfred did not get a reply. Oh well, may be I get lucky with a used piece. 

Update:

I brought in phono board option to compare with EAT e-Glo. It’s been three weeks listening through AD-50 and much to my surprise, it has surpassed my expectations. The sound is every bit Accuphase is known for.....warm, delicious and detailed without any harshness. I would say Accuphase has done a incredible job of not calling any attention to AD-50. Whenever I am listening to Vinyl, I am no longer ‘distracted’ by impedance and gain adjustments as one may be with any phono stage that has on the fly impedance and gain adjustments :-)
Also AD-50 is dead quiet compared to the two external phono stages (SS and tube) I’ve tried prior to inserting AD-50 in my system.

http://www.accuphase.com/cat/ad-50_e.pdf

For now AD-50 is a keeper and stone cold bargain at $1K. I would like to acknowledge @robelvick for his feedback and encouragement to try the AD-50.

My analog setup: SME Model 15 ➡️ SME 309 Tonearm ➡️ Hana Umami Red Cart ➡️ Audio Envy Phono Deluxe DIN>RCA cable ➡️ Accuphase E-650 w/AD-50 phono board.

@larryi,

The audition of SunValley EQ1616D will have to wait until Victor Kung / Kevin Carter can meet the demand. I think they are experiencing a huge production backlog.