tube phono stage under $1k?


I'm looking for a tube phono stage under. My rcvr will be either
HK AVR525
Onkyo TX-SR701 or 801
Marantz SR8300
Denon AVR 3803 or 2803

speakers:
Cambridge or Axiom . Haven't decide on the model

Every kind of music (other than metal, noise, hip-hop/dance) at moderate levels. Mostly RnR, RnB, jazz, acoustic.

table is a Philips, cart is an Ortofon OM20.

stages I'm considering.

AES PH1
Woodham
EAR 834P
Wright WP100
Pro-Ject TubeBox
fritzl57

Showing 1 response by amandarae

I own the Wright WPP100C. It is one of the component that I have no desire to upgrade. Give it better tubes, and forget about it. IMHO, it is a very good, under-price, performer that is built to last and to disappear in a vinyl set up. In my system, after dialing in what tubes to use, it gives me goose bumps hearing my vinyl collection. Of course, the table (Teres 255) set up plays a big part of it but if your phono preamp is not up for the task, then you can never realized how good your table is.
It seldom appears here as "used" but you will never know. So good luck if you decided to go for it.

On the other hand, if you have time and can do a DIY, check the Hagerman Cornet (http://www.hagtech.com/cornet.html). My brother have one and it is very good too. His, have upgraded caps and resistors, took about a week to finish. At Audiocircle.com, Hagerman Tech has a forum and a website where numerous users can provide you with info once you decided to have upgraded parts instead of the stock.
The Cornet can be bought fully assembled (by contacting Jim Hagerman directly) or as a half kit ($95) wherein you will get the circuit board(pcb), a manual which list the vendors which you can out source the chassis, tubes, xformer, and other components required.

For those who built the Cornet, it is seldom that you will find two that are alike. But, it seems that owners have nothing but praises about them. But of course, you have to be realistic what to expect.

good luck..