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My current vinyl replay is via the phonostage in my E.A.R. 868 PL pre-amp. However I retire in a few weeks which will (hopefully) give me more time to listen. Although I am likely to stick with the E.A,R for "best" I expect a lot of listening also to be via my SS components as I don't want to burn up rare NOS tubes unnecessarily.
So I am thinking of adding an external phonostage to feed e.g. my SPL Phonitor 2 which, aside from its superb properties as a headphone amp, is also the best SS line stage controller I have heard.
So what phonostage? Budget is the equivalent of max. $2500 but less would be appreciated. NB: Preferably should be available to buy in the UK.
Follow Ups:
PAR
I'd like to suggest that you give the RAY SAMUELS NIGHTHAWK a go!
It is quite unique with its battery power supply and its ability to 'tune' loading and gain levels on the fly with dials on the faceplate. You can very quickly tune the sound to your liking!
RAY SAMUELS sell direct and is a pleasure to deal with.
(You may get a shock at how good this unit sounds... I use mine with my SHELTER 501 Mk2, Hot-rodded Linn LP12 / Origin Live / etc.. Sounds fantastic!
You have a damn good phono stage in your EAR as well as a damn good line stage. You're worried about burning up small signal NOS tubes which usually last for multiple thousands of hours; your budget for a ss phono stage which will likely not better the EAR is enough to buy 2 lifetimes worth of the best and most expensive NOS tubes for the EAR; you have one set of spkrs. so this isn't about a second system in another room.
Can't see any reason to buy another phono stage. Why not spend the money on records/cd's/files instead, and enjoy them on the VERY nice system you have -- or spend the money on tickets to live concerts or anything else that matters to you and yours.
I want to say thanks to all of the inmates who have kindly considered my query. However special thanks to you Rick for your insight. You are quite right. Hopefully I do have enough spare tubes to see me out (Well, ironically, hopefully not, I would like to last a fair bit longer :-)).
nt
I've got 3 record players in one system for the only reason of "I want them."
However if that is not the case and the op is truly just trying to save NOS tube life, then I agree with you that the money could be better spent. But hey, whatever gets you through the night. It is his money and he knows how he wants to spend it.
Nate
You can't cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields
Spend on a nice 2nd set of tubes. And it's true: you will likely die with those tubes you have in that peamp now.
Lounge Audio LCR MKIII
http://www.newrecordday.com/lounge-audio-mkiii-lcr-phono-preamplifier/
Edits: 11/16/14
and I concur.
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
Hi PAR,Since You like your EAR you might consider the Little Bear Tube stage. It appears to be a copy of the EAR from a circuit standpoint. They are dirt cheap and there are a couple of strings about them on Vinylengine. They are pretty good out of the box but with a bit of work you can have a very fine phono stage for relatively little money.
Phil
Edits: 11/16/14 11/16/14
I suggested this model in another thread.
Under your budget-2K(retail 2.5K)Purchased it at this price but I had to negotiate/battle to get it.
I agree with the Ed's opinion that it's really design/implementation-not that it's necessarily tube or SS.
But for some tube flavor, at the price it rocks.It is discontinued, but you will get full support in the unlikely event something goes wrong.
Edits: 11/16/14 11/16/14
I respect the other inmate's recommendation but do not agree. An excellent phono stage should have little to nothing to do with its components.A quality phono stage will be the one that does its job the best without regard to SS vs tubed design. A quality all SS phono stage is just as likely as an all tubed unit. A combined SS and tubed unit is also just as viable.
The same goes for OPAmp vs discrete design in a SS unit. The factors that makes the difference are:
1) Dedication and technical excellence in the design of the phono stage
2) Excellence in production of the phono stage
3) Quality packaging and documentation
4) Top quality post sales supportIts common sense and the same for most products. The phono stage just costs more and requires more care than an average toe nail clipper.
Congrats on your retirement (I'm trying to get there myself),
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 11/16/14
You should stay with a tube phono pre-amp. Don't worry about burning up tubes on a phono preamp,they last for years,I have 80 year old vintage radios that have the original tubes. You should check out the Quicksilver Audio phono pre-amp ($1595),I have one that is over ten years old and it is outstanding. You should also check out the E.A.R and Croft since they are made in your country.
Edits: 11/16/14
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