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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
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Adog is right. A Music Maker would overload nearly any MC phono stage. I'd expect distorted dynamic peaks, cloudiness from the high noise floor and frequency imbalances from a probable impedance mismatch.

Proper component matching isn't "hogwash". Your dealer was right, though a bit lazy. He could have saved you both some time by asking what cartridge you planned to use with the Tron.
rjwood
14 posts
 
Adog,
Here in the UK (where Tron is based), a moving magnet version is available.
adog
7 posts
 
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.
rjwood
14 posts
 
Adog,
I've just visited Graham Tricker's website (gtaudio.com) and, yes, you're right, the "PhoNote" phono preamp that I auditioned is indeed different (but similar), so apologies for suggesting otherwise. However, it does retail for 1500 pounds and you'd expect the Seven to sell for not much more than 2000 pounds if it were available in the UK.
So do us Brits get a significantly inferior sounding product for just a few hundred pounds less? Judging by Mr Tricker's remarks on his website (not to mention the application of common sense), this is certainly not the case.
Anyway, as I've said, the Lector phono preamp (850 pounds) was far more musical to my jaded ears.
david12
1,454 posts
 
Another vote for the K&K phonostage, under $2000 built and the last phonostage i will buy. A hybrid tube/jFet design, its quiet, musical with a great soundstage. It is a very similar design to the Art Audio vinyl reference, designed by the same person. Try and get an audition of one, you won't be disappointed.
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