What phono stage candidates should I consider?


I will be taking delivery of a new linestage, the Emotive Audio Epifania (tube-based), which will be replacing a Mark Levinson Ref. No. 32 that has a built-in phono stage. I am therefore in the market for a new phono stage. My cartridge is a Lyra Titan, which is mounted on a Basis Vector arm/Basis Debut (vacuum) table combination.

I can, realistically, only review a small number of candidate linestages in my own system, so I need to determine which stages to consider. If I find one that I like, I will go with it and I do not plan on driving myself crazy chasing after the "best."

Some of the relevant details about the Titan are as follows: It is rated at .5mV output and has an internal impedance of 5.5 ohms. Lyra specifies loading of 10 ohms to 47k ohm (they recommend the higher end of the range, i.e, unloaded). If mated to a step up transformer, they recommend 4-6 ohms, not exceeding 10 ohms.

One of the candidates I am looking at is the Artemis PL-1 phono stage. It is a tube-base unit that utilizes a transformer to step up the voltage. I don't know which model of transformer they use, but the brand is a Sowter (my guess is the 1:20 model specified for cartridges with a 3-15 internal impedance).

I can also get in for audition a Ray Samuels Emmeline. I will also be borrowing a friend's phono stage that is made locally, in the Washington D.C. area, by Deja Vu Audio (tube based/Jensen transformer or a more expensive model with Audionote trannies).

I am looking for any comments as to which candidates to consider and any helpful detail of experience mating the Titan with a good phono stage. I do hope to keep cost under $8,000 or so, if that is possible.

Thanks.
larryi

Showing 3 responses by adog

RJWood, where did you audition a Tron Seven, which version and what cartridge?
RJ, The Tron Seven is Moving Coil only phono stage. It comes either high output (70 dbs for cartridges from 0.05-0.3) or medium output (55dbs 0.3-0.8). There is no way it would work with your Music Maker moving magnet cartridge which has an output of 4mv.
Actually RJ, you are wrong. There is no Seven phono available in the UK period let alone a MM. The Tron Seven is for export only. I think you are referring to the "Purenote" which was designed by Graham Tricker for NoteWorthy Audio. This is not the Seven, but a totally different design, built at a different price point with a very different intended end use . Even though there are some basic similarities, the Seven is different in design, mechanically, sonically, and aesthetically. There has never been a Seven MM built. Graham and I are planning a MM Seven for the London Ref. cartridge, this will be the first MM Seven. I hope this clears up your misinformation.