Upgrade from my internal Primaluna phono stage... Audio Alchemy PPA-1? What else?
I had a Primaluna PL2 with phono stage and I took it out and got a Hagerman Cornet II the III is now out great tube stage Yeah, the Cornet is on my list. A version 1 just went real cheap but I passed because the older ones are a bulky odd shape that I would have trouble placing though they do look better than the newer plastic ones. At least the newer ones are small enough so they can be tucked behind other gear. I just wonder how they compare to something that was like $1500 and I can get used for like $800. |
Delay,Hmm. Now we are onto DACs? Not worrying about that for now since I never really listen to digital stuff on my main system. My Oppo is good enough for now. But good to know that the AA stuff is quality all around. |
Check out the Croft RIAA. You can return it if you don’t like it! Nice. Seen Croft mentioned before but had only seen the full preamp and not the RIAA Phono. Good option. |
Sorry about that delay. The only serious phono amp I used prior to the PPA-1 is the Sonic Frontiers. They are both very good but the AA is better in my system. It has a lot more detail and still has a glorious mid-range, stage width & depth. It really beats the SF on the top end. I would say the SF is slightly better on the bottom. The AA just sounds more natural in my system where the SF is a little darker. More detail and bigger soundstage is certainly good, but I am a little worried about bass. The Devores tend toward the lean side in my system/room so I don't want to lose any low end and was hoping to gain some actually. Are you running an MC? How much experimenting did you do with the loading and how much difference did it make? |
I had heard that Primaluna might be coming out with a stand alone tube phono preamp. This would be perfect for you , if they do indeed decide to design one. I prefer a tube phono preamp myself. I really enjoy being able to adjust the sound with different NOS/New Issue tubes.Ooh, I will look into that. Thanks. I like tube rolling but tend to drive myself a little crazy with it, too, though. Still trying different combos in my PL after having it for like 6 months. |
There is no way I would get away from tubes, because you can change, or upgrade in unbelievable ways by simply getting new and different tubes. Yeah, I am no stranger to tube rolling. I might end up back with a tube phono stage at some point but I am fine trying something else for now for a couple reasons. One is that most of the tube stages I have been eyeing are on the bigger/bulkier side of things and I don't really have the room (or the desire to start that fight with my wife). Another being it is hot as hell in my house and will be for a few more months. I need to turn the loud window unit AC off to listen to music and the room already starts to noticeably heat up after the PL is on for 20-30 minutes so I am not dying to add more hot tubes in the room. Though a couple more pre tubes wouldn't be as bad as the 10 in my PL.Also there just seem to be a huge amount of SS options these days that people really love for the money. Not quite as many tube options under $1k that I feel would be a definite improvement and I don't have time to build a kit. But if a good deal on a second hand PH16, Croft or Hagerman came my way I wouldn't hesitate to try it. Just didn't find any in the past few weeks of looking. I do have a nice assortment of 12au7's,12ax7's and some 6dj8 types so I am ready if I do go that route eventually. |
