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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 bpoletti

bpoletti
1,557 posts
 
I own and have not heard ANY other phono stage as good as a Herron VTPH-2. Prior to that phono pre-amp, I was using a Herron VTPH-1mc. Also very good, but short of a VTPH-2.

The VTPH-2 has more of "You are there" than another other phono stage I've heard at any price. It is very precise and detailed; dynamic, super-low distortion, very neutral RIAA, startling dynamics (high level and low level dynamics). Not "warm" or artificial. I have heard VTPH-2 units in several systems and it impresses me the same in all of them.

Luck has nothing to do with the VTPH-2. It seems to work well in a wide variety of systems and a wide variety of cartridges (high and low level inputs, external mc loading capability).

And the price is right in your wheelhouse. Mid-$3k.
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