2. analog
  3. 141608-4121

OPINIONS PLEASE - Phonostage for new Rega P8/Apheta 2 - Sutherland 20/20 or Allnic 1201

OPINIONS PLEASE - Phonostage for new Rega P8/Apheta 2 - Down to Sutherland 20/20 or Allnic 1201 phonostages. Can anyone tell me anything about either? Would consider other in this price new/used but these seem pretty good.

I have got down to these two mainly for price (under $2k) and where my simple research has led. 

I am big into Digital and want to play around with some decent vinyl.

Nothing crazy but good enough that my Bricasti MISE w/Built in Ethernet Media Player doesn't blow it away so I am trying to put together a decent enough vinyl front end that will sound good enough that I want to use it. 


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Background:

I recently ordered new speakers that should be in a few weeks. Time for me to set up my vinyl front end to prepare for them. I am trading my Magico S5 for S5 MK II. 

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Room is 12 x 23 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 15 Foot a peak - Set on long wall

https://www.flickr.com/photos/35630112@N05/46190013771/in/dateposted-public/


Music: Assorted Music no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else.

Likes: Transparency- Delicate-linear-Dynamic-Fast - high resolution-microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless - I know there is a fine Line here but I'm looking to walk it and come out on the right side - but real see through into the music with some sheen and dabs of warmth - transparent to the source because I love my DAC - image and sound stage lover - tight bass - hate flab - like speed and transparency as my selection choices might speak to

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From Audiogon Virtual System page:
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5160


Associated Equipment:

> Digital:
- DAC: Bricasti Design M1 Special Edition DAC 
- Digital Transport: Bricasti M12 Built-In Ethernet Network Player

> Analogue:
- Turntable: Rega Planer 8
- Tonearm: Rega RB880 Tonearm
- Cartridge: Rega Alpheta 2 MC

> Preamplification:
- Linestage: Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 Reference Preamplifer 
- Phonostage:TBD

> Amplification:
- Power Amplifier: Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier

> Loudspeakers:
- Transducers: Magico S5 MKII Reference Loudspeakers MCast Pewter, (Trading S5 MK I)

> Power Supplies:
- Linear Power Supplies: Uptone Audio JS-2 (2-Rail) Linear Power Supply, The Linear Solution LPS-912 Network Switch Proprietary Linear Power Supply, Breeze Audio 12v Linear Power Supplies (2-units),
- Switching Mode Power Supplies: iFi Audio iPower 9V DC
- Turntable Power Supply: Rega Neo PSU 

> AC Power:
- Conditioning: PS Audio Noise Harvesters (6) 
- Outlets: Furutech GTX (R), Oyaide R1 Beryllium (2),
- Surge / Spike Protection: Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula
- Power Strip: PS Audio Juice Bar MK II

> Audio Network Server / Hardware / Software:  
- Servers: Small Green Computer SonicTransporter,
- Storage: WD My Cloud 12v 2TB NAS, 
- PC: Qotom 190S Dual-Port - Baytrail J1900 12v Micro-PC
- Network Switch: The Linear Solution OCXO Audiophile Switch,
- Audio Software: Sonic Orbiter,  ROON 1.4

> Cables:
- Interconnect Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 2.0M, Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 1.5M, Darwin Ascension RCA 0.5M, 
- Speaker Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion 2.5M Spades,
- AC Cables : Kubala-Sosna Emotion AC 2.0M (2) Kubala-Sosna Elation AC 1.5M, Zu Event MK I AC 1.5M (3)  
- DC Cables: Gent Audio Custom DC Cables (Canare/Oyaide) (6), Upton Audio DC Cable 1M 
- USB: Audiocadabra Ultimus3 Double-Head Silver USB Cable, Curious Regen link, Uptone Audio USPCB A/B USB 
- Digital: Black Cat Silverstar 75 BNC/RCA 1.0M, MIT Terminator-3 RCA 1.0M, DH Labs Silver Sonic D-75 RCA 1.0M (2), Tara Labs Prism 100dx-1 Tosilink 1M.
- HDMI: AudioQuest Chocolate 1.0M, AudioQuest Forest 3.0M,
- Ethernet: AudioQuest Vodka RJ/E 1.0M, Cardas Clear RJ/E 0.5M, The Linear Solution Custom RJ/E 1.5M.

> Sundries / Accessories:
- Audio Racks: Solid Tech Hybrid 3+3 Shelves Audio Rack w/White Shelves and Silver Pillars, Solid Tech Rack of Silence Amplifier Stand
- Isolation Devices: SRA Ohio Class Isolation Platform, Symposium Acoustics Svelte Plus Isolation Platform, Isoacoustic Iso-pucks (8), Red Dragon Audio Ceramic Cable Elevators (4), EdenSound Brass Vibration Weights (8), Bright Star IsoNode Footers,
- Re-clock/Tester: DROK USB Multi-meter/Tester, Wyred 4 Sound Remedy Femto.

- Fsmithjack








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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 

edwyun
Thanks - yes it has a couple op amps but I am more worried about the best sound per buck. I would prefer discrete but fear this level of performance with all discrete will cost much more.

It is my first "Real Concerted" foray into vinyl so learning as I go.

I know my Bricasti / Simaudio / Pass / Kubala / Magico combo sounds amazing so I was hoping to get a Table/Cart/Phono/IC/AC cable set up to be compelling enough to get up and load another record vs  just flipping the input on the remote and grabbing the Iphone/Roon to my way to another to another track instead.

 
hifiman5
How are those AQ Colorado? Are they real good? Thats a great price if the performance is strong enough that would be amazing. 

 .


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liamowen
193 posts
 
If you like your Pass Labs component now, I think you would like the XP15 (now discontinued) or the XP17 (its successor).  You can find used XP15's on Audiogon for $2,500 periodically.

Best decision I made was the Pass Labs XP15.  It far outclassed the Rega RP6.  When I finally made the decision to be in/out of vinyl, I went for the RP10 with the Apheta 2, and it's a great match for the XP15.  I think the RP8 is close to the RP10 in sound, and the cartridge you are proposing is exactly the same as the one I have.  Sounds great-- but only on well recorded music.
fossda
112 posts
 
Love your system. I got back into vinyl several yrs ago and love it. I am using an Allnic h-3000 and know you would be very pleased with the Allnic product. I like the blend of tubes an s.s  particularly with preamp and phonostage. A close friend has the Sutherland product and is very happy. I also have an Allnic l-3000 pre that I switch out with my edge sig 1.1 pre. Best wishes
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,826 posts
 
@fsmithjack  The Colorado's commit no sins of omission or commission. All you hear is what your components bring to the party.  They are as neutral as any IC's I have ever used.  Feel free to look at my Virtual System to lend context to what I am saying here.  Those cables ain't goin' nowhere!
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 

liamowen
Thanks for the info. It's funny as one Pass Labs XP-15 showed up for sale on Audiogon last night. I was thinking long and hard about this one! Love the build quality and simple and clean industrial design. It works for me that is for sure...


I don't just like Pass Labs. I LOVE them! I have owned probably close to a dozen of their products over the years. I have got to speak and write with Nelson over the years on n many occasions and honestly I don't think there is a nicer and/or more knowledgeable person on the planet.

He is such a kind person that shares his time with anyone, any time.

I remember I needed XLR jumpers for my X350.5 amp and he mailed them to me himself and of course no charge. His handwriting with a just a regular stamp. It's not the money but he is busy like most of us. You know he get's and envelope, stamp and drops off and Its the time and consideration. Some may say bid deal. To me the little things matter.

I use to love and own Rethm Saadhana V3 Speakers which are 103db efficient and his First Watt amps sounded better than anything, anywhere and I had some seriously expensive, 5 digit DHT 2A3, 300B amps and one of his FW $1500 used amps blew their doors off.

I could on and on about Nelson. Wayne Colburn I think does most of his pre's and his pre's are great and IMO some of the best in each price range. That said just not quite up the standards set by the amps IMO. The like Pass amps better and they can go to toe to toe in their price range with anything anywhere.

Sure his $10,000 amp is not going to outperform another companies $30,000 amp but put his $10k amp vs other $10k amp and his $30k amps  vs other $30k  amps and I will go with Nelson any day.

That said I bet that XP-15 sound mighty fine in my rig :)


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