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What's your experience with fine phono preamp s ?



Arthur Salvatore highly recommends the Coincident Technology Statement phono preamp on his blog. I know nothing about Arthur's listening preferences, so can't know why he feels it superior to other phono pre's.

My table is a Technics SP10, arms are Talea and SME with Benz and AirTight cartridges respectively ( phono cable undetermined for SME arm, open to suggestions on a separate thread --to keeps things 'simple' ) My gear is hybrid, with solid state 100 wpc bass amps, 300B and 6SN7 tubes for mids and tweeters, and JL Audio subs for the bottom octave. The CDP and preamp are solid state and very high quality.

Please weigh in on phono pre's between $2 and 7K that you have owned or heard in systems you know well. I don't have a prejudice or preference for solid state or valve gear, and I'm receptive to used equipment.

I DO, however, strongly prefer an 'I am there' presentation, over 'the musicians are in the room' sensation, when the that's in the vinyl. More interested by far in an emotionally engaging ( not distortedly emotional or euphonic ) listening experience than a precise, highly detailed but soul-less presentation.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and shared experience.

Best,

David
cdk84

Showing 1 response by bifwynne

bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
@Mapman ... agree. IMO and IME, even better is the ARC PH-7 or PH-8. I owned the SP-16, the SP-17, the PH-7 and now the PH-8. Between you and me ... I think the PH-7 and PH-8 sound about the same.

All that being said, I've reviews that say the ARC Ref Phono 2 SE is to die for. That's a tomorrow project for me. Other priorities ahead of the Ref Phono 2 SE.

But Al's points above are very important. Electrical compatibility of components and I/C length should be carefully considered.
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