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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 11 responses by thuchan

thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Kondo KSL M7 Phono in combination with SUT SFZ - is the winner of our phonostage shootout. It is a wounderful phonostage for low output MCs (but also provides a 40 Ohm input, 3 Ohm, 1 Ohm).
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Soundlistening,
I can support your findings, even without SUT the Kondo phono stage delivers a wonderful sound. I tried it with the London Reference in a FR-66s - gosh, what a feeling!
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
11flat - you can solve your output limitation by using a purely silver wired switcher like the Uniswitch, in this case you may connect three tonearms with your Lyra-C.
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
11flat6- you see it on my page. best ingredients, short signal way. I can show you more images, also of the interior when you send me an e-mail.
If you really want to go for it I can bring you in contact with the producer.
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Andromedaaudio,
you`re right. with the normal model you only have the chance to bypass by change the circuit around the SUTs which should be possible, at least for one channel.
If you wanna use a SUT go for the Kondo or the Lamm - both are brilliant in connection with SUTs.
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
The Lamm will become an extraordinary MM & MC phono stage if you do some small changes, especially on the tubes, caps, connector plugs and SUTs. If you are using the MM input with a London Reference it is just great but also with matching external SUTs this will be a benchmark phono stage, sometimes underrated and possibly not equipped with the best possible ingredients by the manufacturer.
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dear Andromeda,
I had the Nagra but only for a short while. Maybe I sold too early but I had the impression it didn't reach to my Kondos (M 7) and my Lamm. This was before I improved the Lamm. Of course you need to wait until all new parts and caps are running smooth but I was a bit dissapointed with the tiny Nagra's SUTs and to my knowledge they also changed something on the design later on.
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
I usually don't count very much on the recommendation of magazine writers anymore but in the last "Image Hifi" in Germany the Kondo M7 Phono paired with the SUT Kondo KSL was described in detail coming along with wonderful images (you might see the quality of images on the Tubes Edition of Hifi Tunes in English for iPAD).

And the writer in this case is completely right: This is absolutely the most musical phono preamp combo I have ever experienced.

best @ fun only
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Andromedaaudio, not yet but heard only good things about the Convergent. Will try listening to a unit.

best @ fun only
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dev,
okay when it comes to a full chain your two preferences are good benchmarks. My favourite at the moment is:

Continuum Copperhead/Olympos/EMT JPA66/Micro Seiki 8000

best @ fun only
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dev,
Xmas is always. what present are you making yourself...
best @ fun always
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