Recommendations for MM Phono ~ Tube or Solid State


As title suggests, I am currently using a MC Cart - Etsuro Bordeaux and planning on adding an SUT. The TT is Garrard 301 with Reed 3P tonearm.

SUT under consideration,

1) Etsuro ET-U50

2) Swissonor PPP-PP Hashimoto HM7

3) EMIA Copper or Silver version

On top of my list is Leben RS-30EQ and Accuphase C-47.

Also planning on adding 2nd Reed tonearm with Miyajima Labs Zero or Infinity Cart. From a purist perspective, what would be your recommendation to get the best out of a mono cart.

Thank you!

128x128lalitk

@lalitk I also heard an Allnic phono stage w/ separate regulated psu in my system and it gave less than my more modest dual mono Croft. You might check Abbas Phono stages (I recently ordered a second; dual mono w/ inbuilt MC transformer). A number of owners find these stages render nearly everything you could want in music, as do his DACs. There’s more info to weigh on WBF.

As Raul pointed out, you seemed delighted with the H6500 barely more than a month ago. What changed? If you can figure that out, it might help in making your next purchase, more than accumulating subjective opinions voiced by strangers on audiophile websites.

@lewm @lalitk is correct on the resale value of Allnic. I've had 3 units all purchased used, less than 5 years old purchased for a 1/3 of what they go for new. I'm a fan of Allnic, but the resell value of their products isn't good. I would only purchase used. Their gear is built like a tank so buyers have that in their favor. Their equipment is great though!

What changed?
@lewm

Let me clarify further, after extensive listening sessions with H-6500, I couldn’t justify its price. While H-6500 sounded good, it was not substantially better than my phono board in Accuphase Integrated. The phono board in Accuphase Integrated is pretty darn good and I am now using it as my benchmark. If I am investing in an outboard phono, it should handily beat my current phono and justify the extra spend, right?

With SUT on the way, I wanted to accumulate MM phono recommendations to pity against my Accuphase phono. Again, SUT is a consideration spend and it would be prudent to try this option atleast with one or more outboard MM phono to make a proper assessment. Another reason for phono search is to accommodate my 2nd tonearm which will be used with a mono or stereo cart. You may know, I am getting my plinth built from Woodsong with dual arm boards.

I may end up with two phono’s to accommodate two arms or one that gives me everything I am looking for…I am hoping to accomplish this task with help of knowledgeable members like yourself.

Might want to check out Steve Guttenberg's experience with using SUTs.  Sounds (no pun intended) like an interesting pursuit. Have fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tAPAPmfscc&t=28s