Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 Phono. Where do I go from here?
Hey all,
I have recently upgraded my turntable and cartridge and I think I would like to follow with the phono stage. As in the title I am currently using a DS2 phono and a cinemag 1234 SUT. The rest of the chain, VPI Prime 21 with AT ART9XI cart, Aric Audio 6sn7 line stage, Aric Audio KT88/120 SE amp out to some custom open baffle speakers.
I am only a couple years into the vinyl world. The DS2 is the second unit I have owned. It sounded fine I felt with the P3/2M bronze and the TD160/AT33PTG ii combo's I have. With the Improvements the new set up has made I now feel the DS2 may be a weak point?
I have looked at lots of options to the point of just being in a fog! I would love to hear from some folks. I would like to find something that is dynamic and musical with accurate or natural tone and timbre. Solid controlled bottom end good meaty mids and clean clear, not clinical upper end. Something capable of a wide and deep sound stage. Id love to keep it under $2500 if at all possible new or used.
I would like to hear what people in my range have settled on and why? There Isn't a lot of stuff available in my area to check out in that price range. At least that I have found. Lots of stuff well above my price point!
Thank you.
Your setup deserves a much better tube phonostage. A next level, new tube unit is $4K+ At your budget used is the way to go, but this appears to be a new unit Look for a used Manley Chinook-at or less than budget. I found one of these used for $2500. Pure luck/timing. https://www.primaluna-usa.com/primaluna-evo-100-tube-phonostage |
I don’t know if you’ve done anything yet, but the Pro ject tube boxes can benefit greatly from upgraded tubes. Call Brent Jesse and ask his opinion. No need to spend a fortune. I would say a pair of vintage tubes in the $100-$200 range would make a significant improvement. The Black Sable 12 AX7s from Tube Depot are also very good at $150/pair. |
@tablejockey Not a prima luna fan but that is a good deal! The chinook was one I considered but in the end there were some things in the circuit that I preferred not to have. The Icon was kind of interesting! Thank you for taking the time to respond. @theflattire Arics was on my list and at the top. I had kind of decided I was going to give him a call. Then I found a deal I could not refuse on a basically new Modwright PH 9.0. So now I have had that for a couple weeks I am very impressed with it. I will be having the X and T upgrades done soon. Really happy with how it how well it works with everything in the chain. The Pro-Ject tube box was a huge choke point! Happy listening and thanks to all for the input! J.F. |
Another bonus with the deal was Reflector tubes!! I am real excited to have the mods done. It was the other top one on the list with the Aric Audio. What gave the Modwright the edge is it's basically local to me. It's a 2 hour drive so, close enough to drop it off in person and I am supporting a local business. Well with the upgrade purchase at least. Thanks for the kind words. Cheers! |
