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Phono Stage Question.....

I am considering a Sutherland Little LOCO Mk 2 Phono stage. 

I currently run a Conrad-Johnson EF1 Phono stage, with Lyra-Delos Moving Coil Cartridge putting out 0.6 mV.  5-10 Ohms of impedance.  SME V arm, J.A. Michell table.  Preamp is Conrad-Johnson Premier 17LS, Amp is C-J LP66s,  Both all tube.

Sutherland touts their Transimpedance technology over 'traditional' voltage technology.

They state that Loading and Gain do not need to be set or worried about with this particular circuit design.

I'm wondering if anyone here has crossed over to the Sutherland Circuit Technology within their system, and is it really better than 'traditional' voltage tech.

Would you rate it 'much improved-go and buy it' or 'meh, not a big deal'??

Thank you for your thoughts and input as always....Lou

 

quincy
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gargoyle
10 posts
 

I can't speak into the comparison but I just finished a secondary system using a Sutherland 20/20 with the outboard power supply and I'm very happy with the results. I'm using an Ortofon 2m Black / Linn 330 arm / Thorens 160 combo into a Cary SL80 F1 feeding a pair of ADS L1590 speakers. On some of my records I have absolutely no surface noise! I bought the 20/20 used at a really good price and the LVP was new. 

lloydc's avatar
lloydc
738 posts
 
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-a-lyra-kleos-good-with-a-current-mode-phono-preamp Here’s a prior question I posed on this subject
quincy OP
325 posts
 

Thanks for the link lloydc!!

Good information!

It's helpful!

sokogear
1,056 posts
 

I think .6 mV is too high an output for the Loco. Sutherland phono stages are excellent, quiet, and if you get one with a LPS, even quieter. I have an Insight and it is excellent, although I haven't tried anything other than what came with my Plinius amp, which was supposed to be excellent. The Insight blew it away-lots of impedance and gain options. It works well with my VDH MC One Special cartridge. Ron Sutherland is of the mind set of set it and forget it. To change the settings, you have to take the shell off the unit, and it doesn't use cheap plastic slider switches, there are gold plated shunts that are taken out and reinserted to the desired setting. Definitely not for those that love to constantly experiment/tinker or like meters, lights or other decorative features. Very basic look - I like it. Doesn't even have an on/off switch. Simplicity and direct path design with nothing to add noise.

 

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