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Phonostage recommendations under $3K

Folks,

I am looking to step up from my current Parasound ZPhono XRM (still under 60 days audition trial). To be honest, I am quite pleased with its performance, feature set and flexibility. I mean what else you can expect from a $600 phono. While I enjoyed listening to vinyl through XRM, I feel there is room for improvement and XRM may be the weakest link in my vinyl setup. And since XRM is the only phono I’ve experienced in my setup, I don’t have quite have a reference point. So what else should I be considering under $3K?

I prefer a relaxed and slightly warm sound since I mostly listen to jazz genre.

I started to put together a list list based on sound quality and flexibility with gain and impedance settings.

Parasound JC 3+ Phono Pre
Allnic H-1202
Leben RS30 EQ (requires a SUT for MC Cart)

I hear high praises on Herron VTPH-2A but it’s bit more than I would like to spend at this time.

My current vinyl setup, Thorens TD1601, ZPhono XRM, Hana ML (low output - 0.4mv), Accuphase E-650 and Tannoy Canterbury’s.

I would really appreciate some recommendations based on your personal experiences. Thank you!
128x128lalitk

Showing 2 responses by williewonka

williewonka
3,072 posts
 
+1 for the Moon - I have the LP 5.3 RS - basically it’s an earlier version of the 310LP

I didn’t get the associated power supply, but I installed the best cables and it rewarded me with exceptional sound quality
- extremely detailed
- stunning clarity
- balanced/neutral tone - i.e. not pushy at any point across the frequency range
- great bass reproduction
- superb imaging
- very quiet - no hum - even at full volume (no music playing)
- can configure to most MM or MC cartridges

My only complaint is - you have to remove the cover to get to the switches to configure the unit to the cartridge - , but I’m not one for changing my cartridges, so basically I "set it and forget it"

Been using it for around 7 years and it hasn’t skipped a beat

Simaudio Moon is a Canadian company with a stellar reputation for quality designs/builds - they ripple the latest developments down to their lower end models.

I looked a photo’s of both the 5.3 and the 310 internals and I could not see any difference - so the model # change was not due to a significant internal revamp

If you are lucky you might find a previously enjoyed model.5.3 or 310

I found this demo 5.3 model
https://www.musicdirect.com/phono-preamps/simaudio-moon-lp53-silver-demo
And these used 310 models
https://tmraudio.com/simaudio-moon-310lp-mm-mc-phono-preamplifier-310-lp/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224165209480

Regards - Steve


williewonka
3,072 posts
 
@geof3 - thanks for that feedback.:-)

The problem with this hobby - when a later model of a component you own is released, you can spend time wondering what’s so good in the latest version.

Based on your feedback there would not appear be too much difference.

I just looked at the internal photo’s and could not see any changes, so I stuck with the 5.3, which still improves with cable upgrades

Perhaps they had a plan for introducing the 110LP and thought the 5.3 should get a new name and faceplate to match.

I did recently upgrade my Bluesound Node 2 to the 2i - but Bluesound had revised the circuit board which made an appreciable improvement, so that was one case where upgrading was sonically worth it.

Cheers - Steve

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