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Phono stages belong to which tier?

I feel the phono stage is the most critical component in an analog system since it is an important part of the source. Which phono stages have you heard and in which tier would they fall in 1st 2nd or 3rd?
From reading the threads here: aesthetix, manley, lamm, fm acoustics, einstein would probably fall in the 1st.
Please include stages that have been listened to extensively and those that have been heard breifly.
pedrillo
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Another vote for the TRON Seven! Top class sound, great build quality and built to order (can be made bespoke to suit your cart).
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
I highly recommend the Whest RDT.. (Ebe)

I have the Whest Audio PS30 RDT too.. with TW Acoustic Raven One and Benz Micro LP.
I'm an analog guy and I tried lotsa phono preamp in my life but I strongly suggest to listen this 30RDT before to purchase any other phono preamps.

By the way .. Happy New Year and don't forget .."In Stylus Veritas!"

My cent

Curio
jimpcn
48 posts
 
Don't agree phono stages are the most critical component
in the anolog song.

I would say IMHO this would be the order for me;

1.)turntable,tonearm wire,

2.)cartridge,phono stage,

3.)motor,tonearm,filters etc...

but really especially with the top four items, your only as good as your weekest link.

Happy new year.
shsohis
119 posts
 
My ranking -

(1) Phono

(2) Cart (3) Tonearm/wire (4) TT

Tough choice but ideally I would actually place the rest of the items at a distant second place behind the phono. Yes, I'm trying to convince myself to get a Audia Flight Phono now....
krc's avatar
krc
16 posts
 
Has anyone heard the Walker Audio Reference Phono Second Edition or the ASR Basis Exclusive 2010 model? If so, how do they compare. Thanks
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