I am looking for a new phono stage to use with Feikert Volare TT, Soundsmith Zephyr cartidge, Leben CS 600 and Devore O93 speakers. Looking for a rich sounding, musical amp. Tubes definitely a possibility. Price range around 3 K. Thanks, MP
Check out Abbas Audio, Kitsune KTE LCR-1, and LampizatOr Vinyl Phono VP4. I’ve not heard them. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on units that are leading the way in the $2-6k arena and these are getting a lot of attention.
Digging up this old thread, seems lots of great suggestions here. Interested to hear more about the Chinook and potentially NVO - can any users add more?
If you can pull it off, I suggest the MP-3 by Atma-Sphere fully loaded with the built in Phono-Stage. This is will eliminate interconnect cables, give you a much more transparent sound being the phono stage is closest to the volume control it will perform well above what your spending on it.
Another vote for Rogue. I have the RP-1 and the phono stage built in to that pre is purdy good for the the money. An alternative if you’re open to NOT tubes is PS Audio new Stellar Phono Stage. I think you can do a try and buy with that product as well and its right in the budget.
Reach out to Modwright. I had questions and they answered everything I could ask. Great people and you can tell the people working there have respect for Dan and Dan has respect for them. They'll even let you do an in home demo if you pay for shipping both ways. I'll eventually try one.
Check out the Manley Chinook SE MKII. I have been using mine for the past three years with no issues at all. I have not had to replace the tubes and I use it approximately 15 hours a week. Biggest thing I noticed is how dark the background got if that makes any sense. Sounds great with my set up. Hope this helps.
I will second the NVO. I have had the NVO SPA II2 for 6 years and I absolutely love it, I haven't found any thing that beats it. It replaced my Kondo M7
My experience with phonostages are that they are really critical to analog playback and given your other equipment it would recommend you to shop used and try and reach up another level. Phonostages get much better at around twice your budget. Audio Research makes outstanding phono stages. I stopped switching around between phono stages when I bought my first ARC then just moved up their line up hierarchy as my overall system gets better.
Rogue Audio Ares Magnum would be an excellent option. Very flexible phono stage with pure tube circuit topology, cinemag "blue label" step up transformers, PRP resistors in critical spots of the signal path, Mundorf Supreme inter-stage coupling caps, Cardas internal wiring, Cardas RCA jacks, fully regulated outboard power supply, Internal settings with lots of loading options, Internal setting for 150 Picofared or 0 capacitance loading,three gain settings: 40dB, 55dB, 64dB, subsonic filtering, entirely designed and built in the USA with 3 year warranty…. Sounds amazing. I’m very satisfied with my.
try Decware.com - they make an excellent tube phone stage - for both HO and LO cartridges. Even Made in the USA in IL.... Great quality and support and service.
Completely back thea Manley Chinook. I just got one and it blows the wheels off my Musical Surroundings Nova III. No comparison. And absolutely silent.
I've been using a New Valve Order (NVO) for many years just wonderful. It was the rage 5 or so yrs back where people sold their multi $$$$ for this unit. A bit above your price point but look for a used one, unfortunately rarely do they show up.
I second tavish....but also own the ear 834p, which is nice. The pro-ject tube box ds2 is a bargain and sounds wonderful with all the adjustments you would ever need.
oh he advertises on ebay. search for a seller called abbasaudio if you are interested. he also has a website. he puts stock up on ebay as his crew makes it. you need to check often and be quick.
2 versions of phono. i am vouching for the big one that is el84 based.
may i recommend the Abbas Audio EL84 based RIAA. Ukrainian manufacturer in style of Audio Note UK. I have his phono stage and a Dac 2.3 SE and his gear sounds incredible.
makes versions for both US and elsewhere (voltage wise).
extraordinary transparency. amazing bass. great dynamics. so quiet. an amazing product and i'm not the only one who thinks it is good for the price (i think).
My setup similar to yours with Audio Note Kit speakers and tube integrated amp etc.
I agree with the Allnic suggestion.....there is a new base model available. The Tron Convergence is another option that hits way above its price point but may be only available direct from Tron if you live in the USA. The Allnic is more flexible when it comes to loading values....
The EAR 834p phonostage is quite good, particularly for the price. The Italian company Lector Audio also makes very good tube-based phonostages, the two-box version is particularly good, but it is out of your price range unless you can find it used.
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