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Stand out phono stages

This topic has been started before by others and myself as well, maybe too many times, but it is worth revisiting since the source is so very important!
So far I have had the pleasure to enjoy two worthy phono stages: the EAR 834p and the JLTI.
I have to admit they are spectacular. Obviously the record and all the equipment downstream play a role in the sound heard. In some cases I prefer the JLTI and in other cases the EAR. But neither out do the other dramatically.
What phono preamps outshine others by a big margin, those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed.
pedrillo

Showing 8 responses by andromedaaudio

andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
everything that has nagra /phono on its nameplate , including BPS.
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
I would definetely change my whole system for a zanden system though , but thats another price catagory, i heard them again at a dealershow this afternoon
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
I have a question for the high $$$ phono amp specialists .
Does the zanden model 1200 have a way not using the step up transformers .
As i can read on the zanden site is that the 1200 has a low gain 56 dB and and a high gain 68 dB mc phono out
Can you bay pass the step up for only mm tube section gain ?.

They also sell a model 1000 phono amp which has 33 dB of gain , i suppose that consists of a tube amplification (MI/MM ) section only , but the site is not clear about that .

greetz h j
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
And a 1100 series , which is the mono version but thats not what im in for at the moment
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
I actually want to skip the sut s .
Im becoming quite fond of the London moving iron i have , i think thats the future not mc s .
If i buy a zanden 1200 i have to use the step up even if i dont need the gain.
So i can conclude that the kondo mm , lamm mm and maybe the zanden (1000) mm are good choices and others probably .
I now have the nagra via mm out , i dont know what exactly i will gain switching to another mm stage.
I have a good gut feeling about the zanden 1000 though as i m quit fond of their model 3000.
The lamm will be by far the cheapest choice.
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
Thuchan, heradot , thanks for the input , there is actually a modded LAMM for sale now on audiomarkt.
Have you any idea what makes it different from the nagra ?
I like speed , dynamics and clean sound.

I will defenitely go also up in the london range , a ref later this year as
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
Thuchan , have you ever compared/heard the Convergent legend pre/phono?
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
the phono stage in the convergent is fantastic .
I always found the " ultimate" name a bit cheap sounding but it left me with no more desire in the end .
I even stopped posting on forums , lol
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