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Tube Phono Stage

Hello Friends
I need a new phono stage, to replace the solid state phono stage, that I have now, whitch I find 50%, of my recordings, can at times, sound's a bit bright, don't get me wrong, we talking about great bass, and I have good ears, as I have a fantastic tube intergrated amp, my system will tell me what is a great sounding LP, and I mean great!!, but then, If I put a poor LP, on it will tell me, it is over produced, sounding a bit harsh, I have done a bit of research, I have came up with two, tube phono stages, within My budget, yeh  I know there are mega buck phono stage's, out there, and most don't come with cartridge loading, on the fly, or rca loading at the rear!!, the two I can come up with are as follows:
1. Decware ZP3, phono stage, with the ZMC1 "sut"
2. Tavish design, Adagio phono stage, with a "sut", built with a seperate power supply, with a price of around the same!!
Yes I want, to open a can of worms!!
What should I go for??
I look foward to your responce
Regards
David
128x128daveyonthecoast
mechans
3,048 posts
 

I know I said I would leave it at that,..... but I took a look at the Tavish Design Adagio.  I was impressed with their use of 5751s.  That tube is a favorite of mine that I roll in many 12AX7 positions.  In general they are quiet and have great imaging ability.  It is pretty uncommon  to find 5751s in commercial applications for some reason outside of Conrad Johnson who have used 5751s for decades. 


bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,505 posts
 
Frank Van Alstine used 5751's in his Dynaco PAS redesign he offered back in the 80's. A little less gain than the 12AX7, but quieter. I don't know if he still modifies that pre-amp, or makes a similar one of his own.  
giri
39 posts
 
Has anyone owned or listened to Tube Nirvana Janis phono preamp? I have ordered one and will find out soon. Just curious if any one has had it. It costs $1300-1450 (mm-mc).

wspohn's avatar
wspohn
579 posts
 
Have I got this right - you don't want a revealing phono stage that tells you when you are listening to crapilly executed recordings, you want a tube phono stage because you think it will conceal those flaws?  Or did I somehow read your post incorrectly?
orange24
5 posts
 
I have the Parks Budgie M/M version. It uses two 6922's class A, with a dip switch for a bunch of cart. loading options, and I think it sounds great for what little it costs.
I don't think it's ugly or DIY- ish. But that's in the eye of the beholder.

I do have a question for all you guys.
Do you really hear an easily heard, and I mean big improvement, in the sound in a phono amp going from current production Russian 6922 tubes to any of the vaunted new old stock 6922 tubes ? I don't want to pay around 90.00 hard earned $ a pair for NOS tubes and hear no big change !
Thanks.

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