recommendations of phono preamps < $3000 range

I had  four of them at the same time to compare in my system. The aesthetics Rea signature with a premium tube set, the Herron, the zesto and a cheap antique sound labs. 
First was the herron. Everything was just right. 
Second was the zesto. Very nice but a more distant presentation and slightly more polite. 
Third was the cheap ASL. Immediate and impactful but could be a tad harsh on the highs.  I should mention that it was heavily modded. 
Fourth was the rhea signature. Compared with the others it didn't have the detail and wasn't involving. I was shocked as it was double the price of the others. Tried both sets of tubes but no great improvement. 

If if I were the op I would call herron. Sometimes he gets trade ins that he refurbs.  If you get anything different you're just going to be looking at upgrades again in the future. It is one of the few components that I don't even think about changing anymore 

Had an avid pulsus that I really liked. Very dynamic and punchy. 

Then went to a zesto andros. Phenoninal!

You can get a used one for a great pride well under your limit. 

My brother has the Southerland and I have the Decware ZP3. Both are absolutely amazing. You really can't go wrong with either approach. I have attached links to the ZP3 and a review. Both have very low noise floors, the ZP3 is scary quiet for tubes.

http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm
http://www.tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_074.pdf

If I hadn’t wanted and bought a tube phono amp, I would have gotten myself the Liberty B2B. Really quiet, with the highest overload margin I’ve ever seen (take a look at Atkinson’s bench test report in Stereophile). According to Michael Fremer, a very "dynamic" sounding phono amp. My kinda sound!---I favour London cartridges. I may still get one; I'm putting together a second table (with the very interesting Trans-Fi Transformer arm), and a separate amp for it may be wise.

Jimpittsburgh:

Did you buy the Pass after auditioning it? 

my 2 cents --

in analog front end it is all about finding synergy relative to your system... are you looking for ... better imaging? smoother highs? better bass or jump factor? lower noise floor?

my experience:

- if u have a dynavector cart u owe it to urself try a p75 in PE mode... there is special synergy there, the effect can be utterly utterly brilliant despite that unassuming little box ... can come across as a little bright for lean systems

- rega aria very nice unit ... excellent detail and imaging with drive - injects a bit of roundness and body to the proceedings so not truly straight wire with gain... like a good tube added into chain with it actually being the case

- ayre p5xe ... super suave and sophisticated/smooth but still super transparent if a teeny bit sterile and lean.... dead dead dead quiet, balanced mode a plus if u can use it

- arc ph3se - brilliant, holographic imaging and glow, while still providing drive and jump... but gain profile can be limiting

- mockingbird jasmine 2.5 du hot rod by philip holmes - very very sweet well rounded unit with lots of gain... tremendous bargain at its bargain price, real giant killer ... slightly rounded sound with good drive, images a little smaller and a little noise in high gain mode

- musical surroundings nova phonomena - quiet quiet but sterile and diminishes drive 

i have stuck with units with plenty of gain (ph3se exception), well above 63 db...

hope this helps

Well in that price range there are plenty of good choices. But, if I had your $3000 to spend I would definatly be looking for an Herron VTPH2, or an Aesthetix Rhea then do a little valve shopping. The Rhea is beautiful, the Herron, not so much. At that performance level you cant lose, so me I would choose the Rhea.                                                                                                                                                       I have an Innersound phono stage that's a great piece, on the used market its half the price of those two and they are only marginally better, or just a bit different. But, if I had the budget I would like to have one of those two as I am a big fan of valves. Good luck on your journey!

I am currently going through a similar quest. I have a JD9 that is upgraded to include new opamps, Clarity ESA Caps, updated resistors, and tung sol tubes.  I've rolled Mullard, Cifte, RCA Clear Tops, and others through it. It was upgraded by the factory, and I’ve been happy with it. But, the upgrade bug bites, doesn’t it? I’ve had it for 7 or 8 years, and I think it’s great in that it is very flexible and upgradeable. The only thing really left to do is add the bybee power rails. That would be like $500, so I wanted to experiment.

I am in Minneapolis so have the luxury of going to NeedleDoctor, who has many options available. So, I have these on loan from them: Musical Surroundings Nova II, Project PhonoBox SE , Channel Islands PEQ1. All are about $1k. I’m just getting started. But, so far:

On initial setup, the Project and CI were both overly bright and brittle. Both the GF (non audiophile) and I thought it was a step down from the JD9. The Nova was smooth, has great extension, slightly warm, and overall a clear standout.  Great separation and soundstage!

I left them all on overnight to break in, and did some adjustments. For one thing, I have Steger Silver Solids from the TT to the PreAmp and to the Integrated (Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP). I thought maybe the cables were part of the issue, so I traded them out for some mid-range Monster copper. That helped a LOT! And, I worked with each of the preamps to adjust them for my cart (DV 10x5).  After I pick a preamp, I will try going back to the silver cables to see what happens.  Or, may consider other interconnects if necessary.

Now, doing some less than critical listening, they sound very similar to each other. I think the choice between the three is going to be tough. Over the next few days I will do some more listening, with a variety of music. The plan is to pick the favorite one, and then compare it to the JD9. I don’t know how it will flesh out, but my initial thought is that the Musical Surroundings Nova II will be the winner. It seems smooth at all frequencies, and well balanced overall. But, I am not ruling the others out.

Is anyone in Minneapolis who would like to listen with me and the GF to evaluate them all? If yes, then PM me. Later, I will return and give my final thoughts. Needle Doctor allowed me to check them out at home for a week or so. I hope to get close to a decision by Monday, which is when I promised to bring them back. So many thanks to NeedleDoctor, who said I can keep them longer if needed. The guys at ND are full of good information, and SUPER easy to deal with! I worked with Ken, the manager, but all the guys there are smart, informed, fun to work with. Highly recommended dealer!!

I hope this wasn’t too much of a thread-jack. I know this is below the OP’s budget, but may be helpful anyway. So far, what I’m hearing tells me that I don’t need to double or triple my budget to improve on the JD9 and get great sound. FWIW, my speakers are B&W 803N.

I'll second the Aesthetix Rhea.  The good part about Aesthetix is you can upgrade the same unit over time...Signature and Eclipse versions.  I can't say enough about  he Eclipse version but the base model is very good out of the gate. 

The best two phono preamps that I've ever heard at any price (and I've heard a lot) are:

1.) Micromega MyGroov
2.) Jolida JD9 II Standard

jimpittsburgh,

are you currently in Pittsburgh?  if so, i'm also in the burgh.   I have the Zesto Andros 1.2 maybe we can demo in your system.  I may put it up for sale as well.  just a thought if you were local.  PM me if you want to discuss.  Good luck!

Recommend the Zesto Andros 1.2 over the parasound, manley, etc.   You can likely get one used for around your max budget.   The Zesto has a lot more loading options, a very refined and musical sound... just has a "rightness" to it when you listen to it.  

Bought the Manley chinook a couple of months ago. Highly recommended with the cheap stock tubes they voiced it with. Detailed and smooth . More versatile than the allnic imho

There’s an Allnic H-1201 listed for $2,200 that might be a good match in your system?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/phono-allnic-audio-h-1201-price-drop-2017-01-13-preamplifiers-98203-everett-wa

Here's a review: http://www.dagogo.com/allnic-h-1201-phono-stage-review

Something to consider if you don’t like the Pass Labs...

Octave Eq.?  Can't remember if its .2 or .5.  A great phono stage for $1750 new.  I had it for a while, but ended up wanting more.  Had to go to Simaudio 610lp at $7500 retail to beat it.  Can't guarantee it will work with everything but most definitely worth a try.  A true bargain at the price and competitive with much larger and expensive phono pre's.
Its not heavily reviewed but there is at least one review out there and may two.  In my experience, they understate the Octave's performance.

A used Manley Steelhead...extremely versatile

Have you considered an audio research ph5?  It is very transparent and neutral.  

Thanks, will research this!

Ron Sutherland is a super guy and very responsive to his customers. You can't go wrong with one of his products.

I'm thinking of trying to build the K and K Trio. I have a Dynavector 20XL on my WT Amadeus. Rest of system is Ultraverve Premap, Bryston 4BSST, Vandersteen 3A Sigs. Currently using the Van Alstine phono stage which is actually very good. 

Here's another one for your consideration 

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


From its maker

Good Listening

Peter

I've heard great things about that piece.  Look forward to your impressions.

Ran into a super deal on a Pass Labs XP-15 that I can take on a 10 day trial.... and within budget....I'll give it a shot... and let you know. Will continue looking at the Tron etc 

jimpittsburgh OP
20 posts
01-23-2017 3:18pm
very cool stuff, I've never heard or nor seen before. But not a good match for my cartridge.

Jim, these are made to order in either a MM or MC version. As they are bespoke, you can specify which cartridge and it can be built to match. Compared to a TRON Seven phono, which would be almost USD10k, the baby Convergence is a veritable bargain. The price is low, as it is sold direct by the designer, with no middle man cut

very cool stuff, I've never heard or nor seen before. But not a good match for my cartridge.

You might want to consider the new baby TRON Convergence. Given the collapse of Pound Sterling compared to USD, a new TRON Convergence MC is only USD1300. I reviewed this about a year ago.

http://topoxforddoc.zenfolio.com/blog/2015/4/hi--fi-review---tron-convergence-phono-stage

I started with a Jolida JD9 -> upgraded tubes to NOS Mullards, tube dampers, etc and it was well rounded, had some good flexibility with loading etc. However I wanted more articulation and got an Avid Pellar. Here I did find the articulation, very controlled bass, again flexibility with loading and gain, but much quieter than the Jolida. Yet I still wanted something that combined the attributes I liked from the Jolida and Avid but take it to another level. Then came the Herron. This was it. There is a balance of warmth, detail without being over analytical, with just the right amount of instrument separation, yet a musical coherent sound. It was one of those purchases for me, that says at the price point and what I got, I am happy and not left wondering about other choices. I am not one to say this beats everything, or is worth more than you pay, and is your last stop, Reading what you are looking for, I certainly would keep Herron on your list other than it being higher than you wanted to spend. I like it so much I now am looking at the Herron Line Stage.

I have the Ayre P5XE.  Love, love, love it.  

Nobody suggested and Audio Research?  I love the ph3 or ph5.  The Manley can't be argued with but is it worth that much more than a PH3?

very helpful... thanks     but current state of my system is not balanced... although my new Krell S 1500 is... so it will be a consideration in the future. 

I use and recommend the AYRE P-5xe, particularly if you have a balanced system in which case you should go to the trouble to use a balanced phono cable.

Take a look at the Aesthetix Rhea. Plenty of loading options and you can use the remote control to select them.

I have a Parasound JC-3+ that takes input from a Dynavector XX2 MkII. Heaven. 

I also have an Ayre QB-9 DSD which I absolutely love, so you might want to look at the P5XE as nycjlee suggests. (I have not heard it)

Allnic phone stage and excellent option. 

Let's not forget the Ayre P5XE, you can pick one up in the used market for less than $2k.  Dead silent, full sounding and neutral.  

I have a plinius Koru i am not using. In silver. First owner all the original packing. Excellent phono.
Regards

I have a Manley Chinook SE I'll let go for 1700.00.  Taking a loss and have quite a few tubes but they are a little extra????  I replaced it with the Allnic 1201H and it is a little better in my opinion.  The Chinook took some tube rolling to get to where I was very happy.  Of course something else came along, gradual steps for me.

Had both the JC3+ and Audia Flight in my system previously.  For their price points in the used market, either one is very hard to beat.  You can find the JC3+ at attractive used prices - I saw one recently at a retailer in nearly new condition for $2200.

I too have the Parasound JC3+, I have nothing but good things to say about it. Very well built as well. Highs are smooth, midrange is liquid and lows are solid, deep and controlled. 

Love my Parasound JC3+.  Tough to beat at its prices point

The Herron's start at  $3650,  more than I want / am willing to spend....    Let's look at: Avid, Parasound, Sutherland ......  Unless I can find a Herron or Whest used....  thoughts and experience please.

Lehmann audio decade.

I am selling a Klyne System 7 preamp with in-built MC/MM phono here on Agon but it is 240v unit.

You could also look at Plinius Koru or a used Pass XP-15.

Do you have the Manley Chinook on the list?

I have seen used units in the $1500 zone.

Maybe a little more organic sound(tubes) over the SS suggestions. 

Thank you all.... using a ClearAudio Talisman V2 gold cartridge, so yes loading is important.  

Have also heard good things about Avid.... but like Sutherland/ Whest not many US dealers

There are a lot of Herron fanboys on this forum, and I am glad of it.  I bought one and it is great.  I would have considered the Parasound as well, but not available in Canada.

Audia Flight, you may be able to find a good used one in your price range.