Superb PHONO Preamp ?

Fmpnd, have you listened to the Lamm long enough to form an opinion of it verses the Aesthetix Io. I own an Io and love it but have considered a second power supply, the Signature version, or both. I would appreciate any feedback.

Another question would be why did you go away from the Io?

thanks,

thanks Frank, i appreciate your response. I did read your Ultimate Audio review. I have owned my Io for 2 and 1/2 trouble-free years.....i must be lucky i guess. My tubes still seem fresh and i bought a spare set for about $350 with the Io when new, i keep hearing frustrations with the Io....but no problem here.

I am always looking for better if it's out there.....will look forward to your future feedback.

btw, is the next issue of UA about to hit? I love UA and don't like to see people spread rumours of it's demise.

thanks.

Hi Fred, i too have heard that the Connoisseur is very special and all the rage now in Japan. I would love to hear some details on it.

Btw, i agree with your letter in Absolute Sound; it is frustrating when they say they will be publishing further information and then no more word.....if the distributor pulls the item, they should have an obligation to fulfill their promises somehow. I'm sure the new distributor would love to help the process if Absolute Sound asked.

hi Extremephono, your comments on the Io being bigger, lusher, and slower are counter to my experience. I agree with Rushton and Albert. The Io seems very neutral to me. If you mate the the Io with a neutral arm like my Graham 2.2 it will be quite neutral, if you are using say, a VPI arm, it will be more rounded and lush. Same with phono cables, my XLO Sig. was slightly warm whereas the Quattro fil i am currently using is more neutral. I recently lucked into a used Clearaudio Insider Gold that is very neutral and vivid compared to my Koetsu RSP II. There is nothing lush, slow or noisey about the Insider/Io combo.

I would expect the ss phono stages to be slightly quieter than the Io, but other than that issue i believe the Io to be outstanding in every parameter. I think the Io is very flexible and will reflect the associated gear it is matched to and not color or assign it's own signature.

I am leaning toward the Io signature; I don't think my small room can handle the heat from 2 power supplies.

hi Extremephono, you are correct, i have not listened to the ss phono stages you mention and they may very well be a little faster and quieter than the Io.

I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of your comments. But i do think that the fact that you sell Tom Evans "the Groove" should be mentioned when you endorse it. I have read the reviews and your comments are consistent with what i have read.

Don't get me wrong, i think you are trying to be helpful and look forward to your continued participation in this and other threads. In fact, i may e-mail you regarding an audition of "the Groove". So, please don't take my comments as anything more than a friendly suggestion.

hey guys; this is a 9 year old thread (that was untouched for 9 years)and most of the comments (including mine above) are far out of date. if others start reading the thread it will end up confusing people.

i suggest starting a new thread.