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24.18.188.215
I'm running a Basis 2100 tt with Rega 900 arm and Dynavector 10x5 HOMC. In addition, I currently have the Grado PH-1 phono stage. My amp is a Jolida 302B (50w EL34 tube for those unfamiliar). I'm looking to upgrade the phono stage, but also interested in hearing opinions on whether this is best use of $. Budget is approximately $800 at this point...waiting to save is always an option. One note, I am in no way interested in upgrading the table. I have considered a few different phono stages, ASR Basis Mini, Graham Slee Gold V, Jolida jd9, and the EAR (this one is out of my price range). I am not committed to either solid state or tube units. Used equipment is fine. Thank you.
Follow Ups:
You should consider changing your tonearm to a Basis Vector. I did that in the same situation (I had a Basis 2000 turntable with a Basis branded Rega tonearm) and the improvement was huge. A used Vector arm is not quite in your $800 budget. I bought a used Vector 3 tonearm for a little more than $1,000, so only a bit more.
Thank you to everyone who responded. I'm interested in knowing more about the heed quasar and the audible differences to the grado. Also, I'm guessing it doesn't show up used very often. Besides usaudiomart, audio asylum and audiogon are there other used mkts to check (I've checked eBay and craigslist too)?
Phenomenal solid state phono stage. Punches well above its price. Going rate used is below your budget. I had the same Grado as you, moved to the Heed. It was a very clear, big step up in every way. One key advantage of the Heed is that it is fully adjustable for many loadings, and thus can accommodate almost any cart that you might choose over time. Google Heed Quasar for many appreciative comments from users. As always, your mileage may vary, and my comments are not meant to denigrate any other phono stage suggested here.
I have a 10x5 now playing with Dynavector's P75mk3. Very synergistic combination (no surprise), punchy, tight but deep bass, and a very nice top end. I don't judge on soundstage width or depth, or on the ability to pick out each instrument, but on emotional factor, and this combination has that in spades. Plus it will be able to handle a LOMC when you (likely) upgrade to a 20x2L. I'd tell you how that combination sounds (with the Dynavector Phono Enhancer setting) but I trashed my 20x2L cantilever right after I got the P75.
John K.
A solid-state option, and just a little out of your price range, but I have been impressed with my Avid Pellar. Used a dynavector 10x5 for years with it and now a 20x2L, which the Pellar does very well with. If you want to go LOMC at some point, it has 60db and 70db gain, and RCA jacks in the back for loading.
If you are lusting for an EAR try the one which I linked. It is essentially a knock-off of the EAR for common folks. I have highly hacked it and put the info on the cartridge and preamp form at Vinylengine. It is however quite good out of the box. They sell various variants of it, some with 6N2 tubes, some with 12AX7s, and some switchable. Also for a bit more money you can get a torriod transformer as opposed to the EI transformer.
Phil
I am a recent convert to tubes for a phono pre and would never look back. I replaced a very good SS pre with a very good all tube pre and am very happy.
If you're satisfied with your Jolida amp, why not go with the Jolida phono pre. The price is kept reasonable by being a hybrid, and it will deal with almost any cartridge you can throw at it.
+1 on the Jolida JD-9 (surprise, eh?), it really is astonishing for the price and there are several upgrades available from Jolida as well as numerous DIY upgrades.
+ tube rolling, of course.
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