Hi again,
Here's another 2-box set that should be high up the list:
AudioNet PAM V2 + EPS (together EUR 4.8k)
www.audionet.de/main/komponenten/page.html?L=en |
The K&K has it all, imaging, bass & treble extension. And it's non-fatiguing. |
Any Aqvox owners out there? |
Would like to see this thread come alive again.
I heard good things about the arc ph7, any comments??
Also the steelhead II has my friend's attention, so much so that he'll be buying one soon, any comments?? |
Pedrillo,
Are you still with the K&K and if so, which model? Your thoughts after 1.5 years with it, please.
Thanks,
Doug |
I just built my second K&K phono stage (the "maxxed" out version) and I really enjoy it. Its neutral, fast and does great timber. Highly recommended. It is one of the best buys in my audio experience. Jeff |
I have been enjoying the beta release of the new K&K Audio 3 stage, fully differential, transformer (Lundahl amorphous of coarse) coupled phono pre now for several months. In every way it out performs the SE version. Dynamics, sound staging, flow, pace, transparency, natural timbres, etc. I haven't heard anything better. At Kevin's suggestion, I recently replaced all grid-stopper resisters with smaller value 10 ohm Audio Notes. Nice improvement. Music is even more incisive with better dynamics. I've been so impressed with it that I've rebuilt my line stage with the same circuit as stage 3 of this phono pre. When the retail version of this unit becomes available they will be pricey ( all that Lundahl iron, 2) LL1931 MCs, 2) ITs and 2) line out , plus large PS trannie and choke ), but well worth checking out. |
Sutherland PhD sounds great to me. |
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. |
Lew, FWIW I don't think there exists any situation in which there should be no grid stop resistors. Without them the circuit is RF susceptible, and the preamp can also be prone to internal oscillation. |
The ESE Nibiru-This stage will my last phono preamp, it literally sounds like nothing is between the TT and the amp, it is superb. Whatever is on the record is what you will hear. It is also super quiet.
The best thing about it is no one ever mentions it!!! |
I would add Tron Seven to this list.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/tron2/seven.html |
Another vote for the TRON Seven (www.tron-electric.co.uk). Built to order by the designer (Graham Tricker) himself - you can have it matched to your pickup. Great build quality and great sound. Jeff at Highwater Sound in NYC distributes in the US. |
Precision Fidelity C/7A Revised. |
Did I miss it or did someone leave Counterpoint off this list? The SA-9 is as hard to find as sasquatch. The phono section built into the SA-5.1 will simply smoke most of what is out there (not to mention the killer line stage).
In this day of line stages and phono stages being marketed as "all tube" or "pure tube" when in fact the only tubes they have are the ones in the line stage or phono stage, the Counterpoint SA-5.1 is the real deal. The SA-5.1 has not only a tube rectifier, but it also has extensive vacuum tube voltage regulation (a total of 4 tubes for the power supply). There is something about the sound of pure tube power supplies vice SS power supplies. Tube power supplies sound more alive and thus more real. |
I hate to sound as if I am pounding the same old drum, but the Einstein phonostage is silly good and shows up on Audiogon used for a really low price. It comes with a varirty of loading resistors and can be improved by using HiFi Tuning fuses and the right power cord. |
Hi all, Alas I have not much to offer regarding the comparitions but I am 'in'the ASR for more then 10 years. Ie before H.Pirson heard about ASR. I was much impressed by Banpukus (12.14.07) story even if my actual Basis Exclusive is the so called 'gold version'. What I can say
is about the the durability ,reliabilty and the ease of use of this phonopre. Two independent phono-pres actualy. In those 10 years I have had not an single problem with non of the different 'versions'. I own also the Emitter II
Exclusive ( and owned 2 earlier versions) and had never any problem with them. My nick -name for all those ASR's
is :'the German artillery'.
Regards,
|
JLTI, with a new preamp this phono stage has the opportunity to shine. Works well with calypso. |
There are 120 inputs for this subject and I have read over 40. Everyone has their opinion of what they think is the best Phono Stage, I got a kick reading some of these, some of the guys say they have a so and so Phono Stage and nothing can top it; its the best. Well in my opinion all you guys are right, what you own is the best. I own one of the latest AR Stages and I think it is the best, that is; it is the best for me.
What ever Phono Stage you own if it is a good match for the rest of your equipment and when you listen to your favorite music it thrills you as it does me then you have the best Phono Stage; Bar None.
There is so much really great sounding equipment that there is no such thing as any one being the best and I am sure all you real audiophiles know that. |
Thefile you da' man!
Can we PLEASE dispense with the word "best?" It's so tiring, monotonic and uniformative. More inquiry, less advocacy.
Please? |
Ah... Stevecham... you wrote...
>>Can we PLEASE dispense with the word "best?" It's so tiring, monotonic and uniformative. More inquiry, less advocacy.<<
and I see by your profile you are registered as living in the USA, but you know not being a maximizer... not being partisan... not arguing "the best"... ah surely you know that's distinctly unAmerican... that it takes an intelligence that tolerates and appreciates the subtleties inherent in complexity rather than mere dualities of best and either-or ... that rich complexity which we as Americans are woefully intolerant of and impatient with... ah, if wishes were horses etc...
sigh... I agree with your point... let's make it so!
:) listening,
Ed |
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The real problem with athread like this is that other than a Michael fremer, most of us will never hear anywhere near the full range of phonostages available and the number that we will hear in our own systems is even fewer. Add to this the rarety and expense of some of the contenders and it becomes even more difficult. I have often thought that when we moved from integrated preamps which contained a phonostahe to separates we may well ahve lost something as there are clearly synergies involved. I intend to test that out later this year when I will have an Audionote M9/S9 in my home system for an extended period. The M9 is that rarest of beasts, a preamp with a phonostage designed to complement its functioning. |
Fcrower nailed it. In defense of the original poster and many contributors, though, his line read "stand-out phono-stages" (not "best" and in plural) Pedrillo, if we may also include integrated stages, then I have to add both Tidal Presencio and Tidal Preos whereby, to put the hierarchy right, to their designer phono actually comes first, they are not convenient add-ons and they do fulfill your original criterion: ... those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed. |
That should have read Fcrowder, of course.
Abundant and honest apologies for misspelling the name, likely the worst error in writing to commit. |
the 'vintage' Threshold FET-10/PC is one of my favorites. Though it's an 80s piece, the sound is one of the better I've heard. Gold plated PCBs, hand construction, all FET signal chain... my only wish is that it could handle really low MCs as the gain options are only 40dB or 60dB. |
The whest PS.30RDT. I've tried all sorts from battery to valves. The valves units always suffered noise or the gain was too low.
The 30RDT is absolutely quiet, allowing you to hear right through the big soundstage. It's dynamic, detailed but also VERY musical, typical of many UK made amplifiers. I'm not pro-UK as I own 2x VPI tables and a pair of Usher loudspeakers.
I now use a PS.30RDT in my second home system with an Ortofon A90 - what a wonderful combination. |
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I've been to FM 222 mk3, CAT Legend, Lamm, EAR 324P, Einstein, AQVOX, Herron, Karan, Cary, Artemis. Tron Seven Reference is my holy grail. |
Anyone here have tried the Artemis PH1 or PL1 ? How are they ?? |
I think you should also listen to Modwright SWP 9.0 SE phonostage. I own one and I tried a few phonostages before settleing with the Modwright. I tried Eastern Electric Minimax, ASP, Graham Slee Era Gold V, and the phonostage in my McIntosh preamp. None of them suites my listening pleasure like the Modwright. You have to experience this unit for yourself, because its difficult for me to describe its performance. The only think I would like to see in this unit is to be able to change capacitance, and have all adjustments on the front panel. I like the SAP in that respec. Try the Modwright before making a purchase decision, you might be pleasantly surprised as I did. |
anyone here tried the accuphase C-27 ?
http://www.accuphase.com/model/c-27.html |
For the 'budget' list- has anyone had experience with the Luxman E-1 (now discontinued) and E-200 phono stages? Luxman use (I believe) an inbuilt transformer to amplify the MC signal to approximately MM level and then an inbuilt 'normal' amp to bring it up to line level. They look like beautifully made units and Luxman products are very good value. And, on the subject of transformers...
What about the use of a separate transformer/MM phono combo? This style of phono amplification may be considered old hat, but there are some very nice transformers out there and the rationale does makes sense. I was thinking of buying the Ortofon Verte transformer (dual mono, good make) to use with a quality MM stage (Graham Slee Reflex Era Gold?) as a moderately priced phono option with my Ortofon MC. Any thoughts on other superior quality stand-alone MM stages (not with a MC stage included)? Has anyone used the Ortofon Verte? |
everything that has nagra /phono on its nameplate , including BPS. |
i have to second the nagra i am sure there is better, but it does SO SO much so right. ditto their preamp. |
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 |
AMR PH-77 has not been mentioned yet, I believe.
Must be about a year now this breathtaking machine was introduced: endless flexibility combined with highest sonic virtues as I had the good fortune to witness a couple of times. |
Hellow my friends,
I want you to investigate "THE GRAIL" by Van Den Hul.
For me it breaks a new ground over the most well known & successful units.
I've never had the pleasure to audition the Alaap or the Tron, Walker, Boulder & Connoisseur Definitions, but I know pretty well some of the most highly regarded & VDH leaves them all behind by a mile: from the first moment in detail & resolution, after the first 35 hours in terms of clarity & articulation & over 65 hours escapes from the usual perceived soundstage with a new, bigger & more believable scene that can satisfy with unforgettable credibility.
Goldmund was the first back at 90's that introduced the elimination of the input signal capacitor. It was my very first phonostage. Even today after purchasing so many top contenders, that small circuit board in my Mimesis 7 is more memorable than most & a good point of reference.
I'm in tubes now (with the same approach) but I paid crazy loads of money for them & in terms of overall performance, the price difference certainly does'nt worth the effort (22 rare tubes, 3 chassis) let alone easy of use & reliability.
Give a listen to "THE GRAIL" & let me know if my impressions are faulty.
Maybe they are 'cause I've only hear it with my Colibri XPP.
George |
A.M.Audio MM-20 Reference. |
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). |
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Just got the new Whest PS.30RDT Special Edition.
This is my favorite. Ultra quiet at 65dB, all discrete with a superb wide, brilliant soundstage, absolutely spot-on imaging and musical to boot.
Compared it to an Audio Research PH7 and the PS.30RDT Special Edition killed it! No contest.
Using a Dynavector XV1-S with absolute blackness in the background! Wonderful. Just need a new cartridge now! |
I've been very pleased with my Herron VTPH-1MC. Surprised nobody mentioned it.
I haven't heard the latest Herron phono stage, but I doubt he would introduce a new top-of-the-line unit without it bettering the older one.
I should note that my system uses Herron electronics exclusively. |
My vote goes to HOLFI!
Holfi Battriaa, phono stage of which there are 3 versions I believe and the top model being the Super Battriaa. It is a battery powered phono stage. Single ended circuitry and output, no global feedback whatsoever. Solid state.
I have used one for more than 15 years now. |
a friend just swapped his battriaa for a Audion Premier phono stage. Half the price but twice the sound |
I would like to nominate the Herron Audio VTPH-2. Excellent in every way that I can mention. |
I would definitely put the Joule Electra OPS-4ME on this list. One of THE best (Ok,i know...i'm biased because I have one...but it really does sound superlative...honest!) |
I'll 2nd the Herron VTPH-2 with vintage Telefunken tubes. Cannot be beat |
Nolitan asked about the Accuphase C-27.
I have had this in my system for several months now, It relaced an Aesthetix IO-Sig. It is a wonderful phono stage, zero noise, dynamic, variable impedance settings for 3 inputs and built like a tank, but with very elegant case work. It is expensive no doubt, but many years of Accuphase knowledge culminate in a beautiful sound. It was a significant improvement over my IO. Takes about 500 hours to open up, best with its own power cord rather than aftermarkets in my rig. I also have an Accuphase c-17 head amp, which is a very rare beast and by far the best head amp I have ever heard. I was concerned that the C-27 would not be as good as my C-17 into the IO, but I found the C-27 to be superior to that combo. I would recommend BTW the C_17, if you could ever find one. No issue going from tube to SS - blacker background and better microdynamics, bit less bloom of course - your choice....
Steve |
Steve, the C-17 is the other headamp I want to try. I'd love to find one but as you note, they are rare indeed. |
