Which entry level phono stage, Graham Slee or Pro-

Graham Slee is wide bandwith very very hard to beat in SS phonostages ballroom

In the price range you're looking for, I'd suggest the Bellari VP129. I run one with my Merrill chassis-modified AR Turntable fitted with a Linn Akito arm, a Benz Micro Ace high output cartridge, and silver wire interconnects, and the Bellari sounds just fine. A google search will access reviews, if you need more reference on this little red tubed audio gem.

If you're diligent and act fast, you can pick a Bellari VP129 on the audiogon pages (I saw one here now!) for around $150.00.

Good luck, and good listening!

not to confuse the issue for you, but consider the Sim Audio LP3, which does both MM & MC, and for the money is considered a very good entry level phono stage. I've only used it with MM carts, but have been impressed. It is dead quiet, neutral, and fast. I've seen it offered in the $350-450 range used.

In that case, I'd look at the new Musical Fidelity V-LPS. There's a real good chance that this will equal or exceed the performance of a $200 used piece that was $500 five years ago. So far the units from MF's new V series are getting some enthusiastic reviews.

Thanks everyone, I guess I should've specified my budget as closer to $200 used, which is what the Slee 2 SE and the tube box seem to be going for, roughly. Has anyone used both of these boxes and can comment on them? Thanks.

There are a lot of good phono stages emerging in the $600-and-under category. For a long time Slee held the position for the $1K stage, but not necessarily the $500 one. Now there are many more and the Tube box is certainly one of them, but there are also the Creeks at $250 and $450 depending on whether you need MC or not, the new Grado PH-1, Musical Fidelity X-LPS V8, Clearaudio Smartphono, and especially, the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II, which has dual banks of DIP switches to optimize gain and resistance to a specific cartridge.

In its most recent analog issue, TAS seemed to really like the $600 Phonomena II, perhaps a bit better than the $925-1195 Slee Era Gold models.

I have hte Graham Slee Era Gold IV and am very pleased with it. I bought it as a demo model. If you decide on a phono stage you will do yourself justice by upgrading your cartridge too. The stage will only sound as good as your cartridge.

Hi
I never tried the ones you mention but both are great choices as an entry level. I have a Project phono box SE and I really like it.
The tube box can be "improved" by tube rolling, it may be more versatile.
I´m afraid I can´t say much more