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Recommended phono stage to go with McIntosh

Hello-

Looking into upgrading a few elements in my system and would like to hear everyone’s comments/suggestions on how to best move forward. System looks like this:

Piega C10 Ltds speakers
McIntosh Mc402 amp. Possibly adding an extra to run mono as the Piegas like their juice.
McIntosh C2200 preamp
Technics 1200 GR turntable with stock arm
Lehmannaudio Black Cube 2
Carts are MoFi Master Tracker and Vasari Gold Note
Chords are Audience and Shunyata

Upgrading the phono stage, arm and carts at some time. I only have MM carts now. McIntosh does have a recently introduced phono stage, not sure how good it is. Budget for the phono stage is $3000?

Your thoughts suggestions on how to move forward. Thanks!
128x128knollbrent

Showing 2 responses by bpoletti

bpoletti
1,530 posts
 
In my opinion....

JC3+ is OK. Decent phono stage. Herron Audio VTPH-2a better, better than anything else I’ve heard (and that’s a pretty long list) It is a bit of a stretch of budget, but it would be the LAST phono stage one should EVER need. In either case, it would be important to listen to ANY candidate phono stage in your own system using your own components. That’s the only way to determine what you want to listen to in the long road.

Both John Curl and Keith Herron are legends. Herron Audio components are ALL manufactured in the US under VERY strict quality control.  Keith Herron personally tests EVERY VTPH-2a produced.  

@invictus005 - Close the thread? Are you worried about others presenting facts or opinions that contradict your opinion? Again?  
bpoletti
1,530 posts
 
@knollbrent IMO, the Herron VTPH-2a does not sound like tubes nor does it sound like solid state.  To my ears, it does not have a signature of its own.  To draw a parallel, Those that go with a system of all ARC components end up with all tubes.  
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