John, If you can get away with only 10-ohm grid-stoppers, perhaps you could get away with none at all. (I have forgotten what tube types are used in the K&K that might require grid-stoppers.) In circuits that really need grid-stoppers, 100 ohms is usually the minimum starting point. Anyway I use Audio Note 100-ohm grid-stoppers in signal path applications, and I agree that they are very transparent. For less demanding applications, Riken-Ohm resistors as grid-stoppers are also excellent. I have been thinking about that K&K balanced phono stage for quite some time, for use with MM cartridges. Looks very good. The other balanced tube unit that I like is the Hagerman Trumpet, which sadly seems to be NLA.
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.
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.
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- 403 posts total
- 403 posts total