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The cartridge survey was great. I really enjoyed seeing what you guys are using and the input was great. (I'm in the market)
To keep it simple, just place the name and model of your phono preamp in the "subject" line and maybe a sentance or two (or more) why you chose it in the message area, below.
Thanks to those who tabulated the info and made that info available.
I love this forum!
Mine is a Tube Research Labs Reference Phono with 2 chassis and seperate 180 pound tube regulated power supply.
Follow Ups:
Ayre k1xe
Audio Research PH3
...
Very similar to the justly famous Scott phono circuit. I've lived happily with it for about ten years, now. Teles doing the work.I didn't see the "fossil" posts before I posted.
Doug
Edits: 02/16/16
nt
Tom
I have been using an Acoustech PH-1P and it is being put into second place by my new phono stage which, according to Fedex, is being delivered today...a Liberty Audio B2B-1.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Hi, Ed,
I'm really curious to hear what you think of the Liberty Audio B2B-1 in comparison with your PH-1P. The B2B-1 caught my attention when Fremer reviewed it back in 2012 and has been on my list of potential replacements for my PH-1P when the time comes. (I'm not in any hurry; hopefully it keeps running for a while.)
One of the things I like about the B2B-1 is the use of jumpers to vary the loading on a LOMC cartridge. The potential combinations are impressive:
57,60,67,77,83,100,104,132,153,199,220,330,500
Not as versatile as the resistor slots on the PH-1P but a good selection nonetheless. And according to Liberty Audio's website you can order custom loading options.
Regards,
Tom
I just took delivery this morning, configured it, hooked it up and spun one side so far.
Initially I can tell the B2B-1 is quieter, better at separating the instruments, and has a larger/deeper soundstage than the PH1-P and its just plain neutral. And yeah...this thing is dammed quiet, ok I said that.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Tom
that I will be modding soon. It's a nice Tube Phono Preamp but I just need to adds some things to make it a Great Tube phono preamp. The Mods I did to the ECP-1 pushed that Phono preamp up into another total Class of preamp. So I have a Solid State and Tube Phono Preamp.
Hi ,
Currently using the audio research SP10 MK2 as my phono preamp . I am on a look out for a preowned audio research REF Phono 2 SE .
Mondial
nt
Mullard 12AX7 tubes all around
The Crown DL-2 Phono Module "B" is a very competent LOMC amp. does a fine job. Gonna be costly to replace it.
SUT is Bob's Devices Cinemag Sky 20
nt
Nothing to see here.
"religion is the opiate of the masses"
nt
Nt
Best phonostage I have ever heard.Can't edit the subject line, but it is the SE version.
Happiness is a clean record, and warm tubes!
Edits: 01/21/10
nt
I have an Audio Research PH7
I have been using this for 3 years and have really enjoyed the sound. before I had a Rotel BQ970
The Gryphon PS1 is contained within my Diablo integrated amp.
My EAR 834p is totally stock on the inside, but it has a chromed knob (because I did not want the gold / brass looking one).
.
I lust after one of those!
Desperately!
Bel Canto Phono1, Jasmine LP 2.0. Both are quiet, stable, loaded with tone, very much alike. These are both solid state units that have the dimensionality, dynamics and full-bodied tone expected of tube preamps, with the gain to directly handle Denon 103 MC cartridges, quietly.
Audion Silver Night. Rich and musical tube phone pre, but requires a step-up for MC.
wonderful piece of equipment
Michael Yee's Phenomena Nova. Dead quiet and noticeably neutral with 256 ways to play.
Cit 1, Doge 8.
Ayre K1xe with phono stage
nt
Probably the worst one listed, but still a pretty decent bang for the buck
which is much better in every way than the TC-760 from Phonopreamps.com
*
n/t
nt
Aesthetix Rhea ,sweet,detailed,easy to listened to,sounds great with vintage tubes or new eastern european stock tubes and has three inputs. Sent it back after three years of exquisite sound because of a diode blow ut and the guys at Aesthetix retubed and recalibrated for FREE! I've thought about selling it several times only to come to my senses before it was too late!
My other phono stage is a Musical Fidelity X-LP. But I'm downsizing...I really like this preamp (Nikko).
It looked cool when I got it (its a metallic cylinder).
On a budget ? Hard to beat.
nt
replacing V1 & V2 with Telefunken PCC88 <> bottoms, loading 47k ohm(MM), using MY Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent BC low output MC cart(similar to Air Tight PC-1 Supreme Gold)and its Stage 302 Step-up transformer.
Edits: 07/20/09
nt
Superb, quiet, neutral, dynamic; the reviews all nailed it.
How does such a small box do so well?? Next question, is why do they charge so much?? It plays the music.
rlindsa
C-J TEA1bc Replaces an EF1... great results
hopefully soon to be replaced with Don Garber's new full function Fi Preamp w/ built in MM & MC phono stages. A dream come true! Still plan to keep the PLC but the KPE can go.
Love this pre... but also have an HK Citation I waiting in the wings :)
Fantastic phono pre. It isn't bright (I switched from a tube pre, so I was worred about that) and does exactly what it is supposed to do.
Simaudio LP5.3
nt.
nt
NT
NT
nt !
NT
This replaced a Clearaudio Basic Symmetry
nt
DLB
"Music is framed in silence."
Sim Audio LP5.3
nt
PS Audio GCPH with Cullen circuit modifications including balanced inputs. Flexible, absolutely quiet, very affordable.
nt
It's a three stage, all vacuum tube phono stage which gives you 52db of gain without the use of sut's. Harmonically rich, dynamic, and well balanced. I love it.
NT
Nt
Chose it for adjustability, tone and value. Works great in my system.
A Very nice, quiet, musical phonostage.
Thom T.
Rational Insanity and Controlled Chaos!
Music is life, and life is music.
NT
.
nt
Theo
-- Is it the same old place or the old same place? --
*
Tubes are 2> GT-12AX7-M (Groove Tubes) and a GE triple mica gray plate 5751
in the middle. Also use all NOS Tungsram 12AX7 in all 3 positions.
D
John Curls' classic masterpiece; because I have so much RFI where I live that tube phono stages are massively problematic, and its the only ss one I've heard that I like.
nt
updated with fast, soft diodes and cryoed neotech wire. now considering re-cap and resistor upgrades.
Links to Excel File and Text File for Compiled results
Excel File:
http://www.hal-pc.org/~jbs/phonosurvey.xls
Regards, Jerry
That is A LOT of great phono stages...
Obviously there is no consensus on one phone stage.I did not realize how many brands and models were available.
How much can peer word of mouth be worth if almost everyone has a 'different' phono stage?
I never would have guessed that many Vacuum State stages from the survey. And I have been reading up on stages for some time.
One non surprise to me. The large number of Bottleheads and Coronets. There is a good percentage of DIYers here.
Regards, Jerry
I still have to come down to a decision between the two. Both phono stages excel at dynamics, speed, detail retrieval, soundstage layering and instrument separation and tonal neutrality.
A few that I compared them too:
Dynavector P75 MKII
Trichord Dino (owned for 4 years)
Sutherland Ph.D.
Gram Slee
Creek OBH 8 (owned for 7 years)
Rossner & Sohn Canofer S
Audio Research PH3SE
Aesthetics Rhea
Wright WPP200C (owned for 2 years)
EAR 834 Deluxe
Mac 1000 Phono
Die gefährlichste Weltanschauung ist die Weltanschauung derjenigen, die die Welt nicht angeschaut haben.
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)
I like it because of its sound and flexibility to easily run MM and MC cartridges. I also like the fact that for really serious listening (and a noticeable improvement in sound) I can go direct from it into my power amp and still have volume control.
John K.
Aesthetix IO Signature
And the tubes are really great!!
This is the stand alone phono stage, not the full function preamp.
- Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is an opportunity to enjoy the music.
nt
Plinius Jarrah
nt
NT
Can't say enough about the difference that Mullard made!!
Also thinking about a Linn Linto or a Moon LP5.3
.
Regards, Jerry
I only totaled up one of the two columns.
We have 341 Cartridges listed and 207 Phono Stages.
Regards, Jerry
And I know there are many others like me who use the phono stage in their pre-amp or receiver. So that means a lot of people who posted their phono stage didn't post their cartridge. I wonder why?
I wonder how many posted their phono cartridge and didn't post a phono pre-amp like me?
And how many posted a phono pre-amp and didn't post a phono cartridge?
Just my experiences and opinions, yours may be different,
Teresa
Pretty happy with it too.
Not inclined to trying anything else just yet.
Cambridge Audio 640P
Just received. Replaced WPP 200C and Jolida JD-9. Better than both but still breaking in.
mt
: > )
I use it solely for vinyl where the gain (and RIAA) are needed.
rw
Hey, me too! (But mine's the original plain Jane, not the Mark III). As a preamp, it's not very good -- bright and shrill. But as a phono stage plugged into my Bottlehead preamp, it's excellent.
Fantastic unit!
Use it with a Teres 340/Schroeder reference/ Allaerts MC-1B cart.
Heaven!!
I had a buddy gut, rebuild and add a pwr supply (and other "parts") to this classic preamp. I match it w/the Fi X. Just supurb.
Thought I'd better mention mine. It's strange since this little stage has received some good "press" on this forum, but it hasn't been mentioned yet...
Cheerswelly
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig.
E.
nt
nt
Dyna's down under distributors took a design that Dyna's founder invented and was selling for $2500, and figured out a way to make the for $700. It amplifies the signal in a completely different way. And the cartridge they used while building and testing it was the 20X-L. So its like having a pre-amp designed specificaly for the cartridge, and it sounds fabulous.
Check out this review, and search for P-75 on this forum
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue33/dynavector_p75.htm
nt
_
Just another old audio fool.
.
.
"We lived for days on nothing but food and water." W.C. Fields
Battery operated.
Full gain and load settings.
Dead black quiet that lets the music shine through.
Myles B. Astor
.
Ted in NJ
OK fine..it's just a MKII but It's signed for me by EveAnna herself!
nt
,
Have appreciated what Counterpoint does with phono signals since the late 1980's. My SA3000 has had extensive modifications and upgrades by Mike Elliott and is preceded in the chain by a pair of Bent Mu's.
In and of itself, I love it. But it has also held its own against competition costing up to $7,500.
I have a TRON Meteor tube pre with built in adjustable tube phono stage. This is very similar to the TRON Syren.
I've decided that's the first big change I wish to make within the next year. I've heard enough line stages to feel the Anthem is a fine line stage...but I've heard too much with other stand alone phono stages to keep using the Anthem's stage. Very good, not great. And I want to run to tables, I can do so with an external phono stage quite easily.
I want something that sounds like a combination of the Eastern Electric phono stage and the Dynavector P-75...or thereabouts.
Death quiet, detailed and warm.
Thanks for starting this thread, Jack. There is no "best" there is only "the best I've heard in my room with my equipment."
The world worked fine without computers. I don't think I did, but nothing I've seen determines that one way or the other.
This handles both linestage and phono. Uses 6dj8 tubes (2 for phono,2 for linestage, 2 buffer stage).
Amazinly transparent sound. The only weakness, availability in North America. I'm glad there is a rep in Montreal
J
Flexible and enough gain for my low outputs.
Back-Up: Apt-Holman preamp
Tubes, adjustable gain, and "affordable" (demo unit).Jim
I got a deal on this when one was "closed out" on Audiogon auctions. I don't think many of these were made or sold, and it has since been replaced in Hagarman's line up. But man, this thing sounds great!
nt
Yikes- looking at the responses....I feel like a fossil in this crowd.
Don't feel like a fossil, please, 'cause then I'll have to join you. Currently using the phono section of a vintage Marantz SS amp/receiver, along with an outboard phono stage...I think highly enough of the Marantz that it's currently away, being rebuilt from stem to stern.
Jim
I used an Eico HF-85 preamp for years with a Dynaco ST-70 and Klipsh KG-4 speakers(along with the only other new piece of gear I had, an Acoustic Resarch ES-1 Turntable with a Sumiko MMT tonearm and a Grado Signature 8MZ cartridge.
That rig was my introduction to HiFi without breaking the bank.
--
Al G.
The modern tube integrated I'm auditioning while the Marantz is gone is a very nice piece of work. But so far as the music goes I'm not convinced--today--that I prefer the 6moons darling overall to my vintage SS Marantz :-0Hopefully the Marantz will return in its rebuilt state in time to do some real-time comparisons before the audition ends...and then regardless of how it turns out I can get back to listening to music instead of gear.
Jim
I had one years ago when Solid State was big (1971) and FOOLISHLY thought a Pioneer SX727 would be better????? WHAT WAS I THINKING?
DagW00d
No text
keine Texte
all the best,
mrh
nt
nt
original owner. bought new "a" in 1986. Curl upgraded to "b" after a couple years. Still one of the best and absolutely the quietest phon section I've heard....note.... potential sale forthcoming....
JD
nt
nt
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
fi Yph, Cinemag SUT's.
This is the best sounding phono section I've ever owned. It replaced the MC phono section in my Mark Levinson ML-28, which was no slouch, by the way.
In fact, when I bought the XOno, I decided to replace the ML-28 as well, so I also bought the Pass Labs X1 control preamplifier. Everything sounded better with the Pass Labs components. To be absolutely honest, I was very surprised by the magnitude of the improvement.
Best regards,
John Elison
Very nice unit.
Audio research Corporation SP-10
2 phono inputs and selectable impedance. Very convenient for multiple Turntables,tonearms and carts. Also use ARC PH3 and Audible Illusions M3a with John Curl phono board.
With the Benz Micro Ace med on the Project RM 5, everything old is new again.
NT
.
DevillEars
And I love it!
I chose this phono stage because it seemed like a relatively low cost, kit/DIY solution at the time.
Mike
nt
one of these days I'll get around to building the power supply
but for now rechargeable 9v will do
NT
Reputation, high possibility of bang per buck and form factor.
Frankly, I did not have an opportunity to audition due to living in a No Man's Land of high end.
- DeeCee
The Stealth provides a transparent and smooth sound with a very quiet background. Good range of gain and loading (down to 70 Ohms with all resistance switches "ON"). Excellent sound for the money.I sometimes use the Piccolo for the loading options: 20/26/34/44/58/75 (custom resistors). The Piccolo does add some noise to the setup though.
The JD9 was my first real phono stage. Great starter preamp if you want to experiment with a range of cartridges and dabble in tube rolling. But loading only goes to 100 Ohms (70 Ohms if you turn on switches 1&2&3). This preamp would have an AMAZING range of settings for both gain and loading (and capacitance) if they would add loading settings below the stock 100 Ohms.
Tom
.
The C-17, a stand-alone unit who's circuit is also found in the C-280, is the world's best solid-state phono preamp. The stages in my C-240 (C-7) and my (even better) C-260 are runner-up's.
The AD-2800 is Accuphases best optional phono-card, which I use in my C-2810 (worlds best preamp), and is competitive with the best SS stages available.
I will update the file listed at the bottom as more come in.
I am surprised again at the diversity.
Here is a text list so far:
1 47Labs Phonocube
1 AcousTech PH-1P
1 Adcom GFP 565
1 Aesthetix IO Signature w/2 PS & Volume Control
2 Aesthetix Rhea
1 Allnic 1500SE LCR
1 Allnic H 1500 II SE LCR
1 AQVOX Phono 2Ci
1 Aragon 47K
1 ARC PH-5
1 ARC SP-3A-1 preamp
1 ARC SP-6A
1 ARC SP-8 Preamp
1 ARC SP9
1 ARC SP-9 III
1 Art Audio V1 & VR
1 Art Audio Vinyl One (tubed)
1 ASR Mini Basis w/upgraded opamps
1 AU-D11 upgraded
1 Audible Illusions Modulus 3A
2 Audio Research Reference Phono
1 Ayre P-5X evo
1 Bel Canto Design Phono 1
2 Bellari VP 129
1 Bluenote Phono One
2 Bottlehead Seduction
1 Bottlehead Seduction w/CS4 & Denon AU-300 SUT
4 Cambridge Audio 640P
1 Canto Sirena
1 Carver C-19
1 Cary PH-302 w/1950s Mullard ECC35s & metal base 5AR4
1 Citation 1
1 Clearaudio Balance
1 Conrad Johnson PV-1
1 Conrad Johnson PV-10A w/Cinemag SUT
1 Conrad Johnson PV-10A w/K&K SUT
1 Conrad Johnson PV-2a
1 Cyrus 1 Phono
1 DIY Altec SUT 15095a's wired backward
1 D'Sonique Clarte
1 Ear 834P
1 EAR 834P w/Cap upgrade
1 Eastern Electric Audio MiniMax Phone Stage
1 Elberg MD12 mk II
1 Gold Aero db45 Signature
1 Graham Slee ERA Gold & Graham Slee Elevator
1 Graham Slee ERA Gold V
1 Graham Slee Gram Amp One
2 Hagerman Bugle
1 Hagerman Cornet 1
4 Hagerman Cornet 2
1 Hagerman Cornet 2 w/Auricap upgrade
1 Hagerman Cornet 2 w/Auricaps & vishay resistors
1 Hagerman Cornet 2 with Clarinet or passive line stage
1 Halcron DM10 Preamp
1 Hegeman HAPI-I
1 Herron VTPH1-MC
1 Hovland HP-200
1 JELabs Phono
2 Jolida JD9 (stock)
1 K&K Audio
1 K&K Audio Single-Ended Triode Phono
1 K&K Maxxed
1 KlangwerK
1 Klyne 7PX
1 Lindsley Hood fully discreet w/outboard regulated supply
1 Linn Linto
1 Loricraft Missing Link
2 Manley Steelhead
1 Manley Steelhead mk2
1 MF AC-1
1 MFA MC Reference
1 Modulus 3-A Preamp
1 Monolithic w/separate PS
1 Musical Fidelity LP^2
1 Musical Fidelity X-LP
1 Naim SuperLine
1 NYAL Moscode "SuperIt" heavily modded
1 OMA RIAA Phono
1 Pass XONO w/output cap upgrade
1 Pilot SP-210 pre
1 Pioneer SA-9100 internal
1 Pro-ject tube box
1 Quicksilver Full Function Preamp
1 Radio Shack Unit from the 70s
2 Rogue Stealth
1 Rotel RQ-970BX
3 Shindo Masseto
1 Silvaweld SWH 650
1 Simaudio Moon LP3
1 Sonic Frontiers SFP1 Signature
1 Supratek Hybrid
1 Technics SE-405 cd-4 demodulator
1 Tom Evans Microgroove
1 Trichord Dino+ w/caps mod
1 Trigon Vanguard 2
2 Vacuum State JLTi
1 Vacuum State RTP3
2 Vacuum State RTP3D
1 Vacuum State SVP-2
1 Viva Fono
1 Whest PS.20
2 Wright WPP100C
1 Wright WPP 200C
1 X 2
1 Yamaha G046, balanced mic input
Regards, Jerry
nt
It was the cheapest and best solution plus you get to build it and can swap tubes. I did it for about $250 and it sounds freaking amazing.
how'd you do it so cheap? You must have made your own cabinet for it...that price makes it even more tempting.
My first case was a steel Hammond chassis ($20). Most all of my caps and resistors could have been sourced from a local electronics surplus dealer for about $75.
That is the cool thing about at kit. Mild to Wild, your choice.
--
Al G.
.
How do you set the gain? I have heard there are 2 gain controls. I don't understand this.
Also, does it tell you what gain you are choosing? For example, can you select exactly 44 dB, or 56 dB etc? Or is it a continuous dial with no numbers.
Thanks
Hukk
It is a continuous dial, one per channel. Works for me.
Cheers
right?
Nope. Gradual, from 0 to 60.
Upgraded from a Sutherland Ph3D as I needed to get tubes somehow into my vinyl playback system. The flexibility both in settings and tube swapping really makes this an incredible piece of equipment.
Rebuilt with new caps and resistors and Mr. McShanes power supply.
xfg
nt.
Now we've dubbed it the SuperDuperIt after heavy modding, addition of shunt regulator, and a separate tubed power supply the size of a small amplifier, thanks to the ministrations and technical acumen of a good friend.
Dave,
Do you have a schematic or any info on this unit? If so would it be possible to get it from you? I have one and the linestage is hosed, basically it's been gutted by prior owner. I apoligize if I've already asked about this. I know I did ask someone previously.
DagW00d
The SuperIt was a phonostage, so I'm not sure what you mean by "the linestage was hosed." I no longer have a schematic for the SuperIt, but I'd suggest contacting George Kaye (via Google) for possible help with any of the NYAL Moscode products. He was the designer.
...chosen following extensive internet research and recommendations from cartridge manufacturers and end users alike, and purchased after I managed to track one down s/hand. Has switchable MM/MC too, with different loading options for MC.
I wanted no more tubes.
Hybrid pre & tube phono
4 Electro Harmonix 6922's from Upscale Audio
Mono, Phase, 5 position gain, and a bypass mode
separate inputs for MC/MM w/2 position adjustable SUT output.
Works well enough to allow me my start into analog.Maybe a used ARC or Rouge down the road. Been looking at Bottle Head, too.
----------------------------
just an 'ON' switch, Please!
My best one is a Musical Fidelity LP^2, the 2 mono chassis plus power supply cylinders. A Bellari VP129 and a Radio Shack unit from the 70's round out the other stages. I also have a Adcom GFP 565 preamp with a phono stage.
for now.
we
/
Regards, Jerry
which is probably the one I should have gotten in the first place after hearing and liking the 3 for moving coils. However for now, the simple little Model 1 is simply amazing and doing just fine.
Thanks. The first message kind of made it sound like you did not like it. And that surprised me a little. I've heard mostly good about it.
Regards, Jerry
Actually I love the thing. It boggles the mind what $200 will buy these days and amazing that there's very little if any mention of this model when mentioning budget phono stages.
Very good apparently. Even the entry level designs.
.
I have the board for the Cornet 2 as well as the step up but with my recent purchase of a new house and the move haven't had time to even look at it much less order parts. May end up being a winter project along with a lot of other things around here.
Brian
.
nt
I wanted a good reasonably priced tube phono stage and bought it unheard based on strong recommendations in the archives combined with comments I read in 6moons. Since then I've heard a handful of more expensive stages, but I remain very happy with the Wright. Currently using NOS Hitachi 6GK5 and Heerlen Amperex 12AU7 tubes in the gain stage, RCA 6EM7 and Tung-Sol 6X4 tubes in the power supply.
Jim
...after what, four years, is that possible(?), still enjoying the little bastich. Thinking about a retube job, though, and will look into your selections, dmj.
I spent a good amount of time in the archives here and the tubes asylum, and found recommendations for the Wright that have worked very well for me. Then I gathered a stash of tubes to last me for a good while!
Jim
If you could suggest a source, I'd be mighty obliged, sir.
Upscale Audio has Hitachi and Mullard 6GK5 tubes. They're screened so they're relatively pricey, but they are guaranteed quiet (I ebay-ed mine, for about 15% of the upscale audio price, and have found it to work for me, although unscreened some get noisy relatively quickly, so having a stash helps if you go this way). Jim McShane (find him in tubes asylum) always has some nice NOS tubes, too, with decent prices and I got a couple of my Tung Sol 6X4 tubes from him. With some patience ebay can work very well, and that's where I got my RCA 6EM7, remaining 6X4, and Amperex 12AU7 tubes.After a trial with deciding to go with the Amperex 12AU7 tubes I was shocked at the ebay selling prices for NOS. In the end some of my Amperex 12AU7 tubes are labeled Valvo, some are labeled Bugle Boy, some are labeled Amperex, and a few are labeled Philips but they were all manufactured in the same plant and just printed with different labels. Learning this after studying and posting a bit in tubes asylum I started looking for the coded (Heerlen) Valvo tubes and got most mine from a seller in Germany for far less than my cute Amperex Bugle Boys, and they sound the same...
Hope this helps...
Jim
very nice
Perhaps the only one in existence.
Nt
nt
...assembled by the most distinguished Kevin Carter. I chose this one because it marries the best of tube and ss sound. Of course, doesn't everyone say that.......
Oz
I missed the cartridge survey.... been working alot.
K
unbalanced Vacuum State SVP-2.
Both are full preamps, including state of the art hybrid phonostages and all tube line stages.
I consider seperate phono and line stages to be excessively complex, as then the phonostage has to suffer the need to be able to drive the interconnect cable between the two boxes, and I belive the phonosection is far better off if it doesn't have to do this, i.e. be in the same box. To drive cables correctly, you need extra tubes in the circuit just for that job, and KISS is KISS!
Regards, Allen
Allen
I take your point, the output CFs in my phono preamp are an entire extra stage which would not be needed if it were integrated in the preamp. On the other hand IMO (and I think in yours, too) properly designed CFs (active tails etc) have very little sonic signature.
To me the tipping point is in the complexity of the power supply - each of the PS for these amps is bad enough by itself, combining them would be just too much. I already find that by the time I have a problem to fix in one of my creations I am struggling to remember what all the bits do and I have to comb back through my design notes. Doubling the complexity would make this at least twice as hard, probably more.
Mark Kelly
Good price, great performance.
n
Seems quite capable, I prefer it it some ways to the CA640P I had, the Cyrus is more lively and 'foot tappy'.
nt
I use my RTP3D preamp for my main turntable, as it has the best phono section. The Rhea I use for my second and/or third turntables, as it is so easy to switch and adjust and sounds great too with the right tubes.
Nt.
Just finished this one. Something small with opamps, just to keep me busy until I felt like starting work on my big-design JFET phonostage. But it sounds ridiculously promising and might well dethrone the others.
bring bac k dynamic range
nt
DLB
"Music is framed in silence."
This is the one for LP transfers to a Tascam DV-RA1000.
bring bac k dynamic range
Modded with Epcos MKV polypropylene-in-oil caps. This is the one for listening.
bring bac k dynamic range
.
Rich
nt
Aaron
nt
I've stopped searching for a "better" phono stage since I've owned it.
.
nt
nt
As sweet as tubes but the silence of SS
Halcro DM10 Preamp with inbuilt Phono Stage
BTW Jack, my Soundsmith retip was 350 plus 27 dollars for shipping and insurance. The VDH MC-10 was a gift to me, but retailed at 1695.00 new. So I got a swinging good deal for a piece of history!
I listed the Clarinet line stage because this is the standout piece in my system right now. It actually allows my Cornet 2 phono stage to breathe with more dynamics and intensity than with my purely passive stepped attenuator.
The C2 is superb in every way. You should hear this thing play music!
Chose this due to my budget (low LOL)plus the positive comments from many owners.
This phono stage is a great performer, isn't it? I like it nearly as much as my main phono pre-amp and it was 1/10th the cost.
It is the JLTi you are speaking of?
Regards, Jerry
Yes, although there isn't a 10X performance difference with the JLTi. It's impossible to quantify what makes it superior to the Cambridge, but it definitely is.
read the subject line silly boy
here it is~!
Loaded at 100ohms for my Air Tight PC1
*
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NT
A modification of the Siren Song preamp designed by JC Morrison and published in Sound Practices. This design was published in AudioXpress in 2004, and uses more linear tubes than the usual suspects (12a_7 and 6DJ8). Mods to the original Morrison design include a more stable and accurate RIAA EQ (plus or minus 0.1 dB) and changing the final tube from 6N7 to 6J5GT. All hard wired with choke power supplies in one chassis, it weighs about 45 lbs.
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head Seduction
"Dammit..."
And since I seem to have missed the cart survey, I use a zyx R100H.
"If it ain't music, it might as well be a barkin' dog"
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nt
Worksfor me
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
nt
...chose it because it sounded better than the Aesthetix Calypso and Manley Steelhead combo that I had before it.
Thanks, Steve
Had The Groove - loved it, but limited the choice of cartridge.
Steelhead is a great sounding and flexible phono stage.
...base on RCA phono circuit, and Hagerman Trumpet (occassionaly!)The Cornet 2 have upgraded parts. The JEL is a tweak version,base on the RCA published topology, by Joseph Esmilla using battery bias on the cathode. The Supratek is of JFET/6922/6C4 combo feeding an SRPP linestage transformer coupled to the output. The Trumpet is bone stock and was already sold to a friend.
I have 5 TT's, each performs uniquely with the choice of what phono preamp and /or SUT being use.
regards,
Abe
Tube rectification is the key!
I was interested in the concept of the Western Electric 417a tube in an LCR config. I have had ARC SP6b- SP6c- SP 11mk2- Audible Illusions Mod 2c -Benz Micro-and Klyne also. This is the best I have ever encountered
and I am building someting to better it now.
Bob
www.PlateauLight.com
nt
sounds sweet
Very flexible phono preamp.
;^)
rlindsa - new vinyl freakThere are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. (Albert Schweitzer)
N/T
"...You're all welcome to stay for the next set...we're going to play all the same tunes, but in different keys..." -Count Basie
..
,
n
Jim
"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not" -- Samuel Johnson.
nt
Separate power supply, slate and walnut construction for the signal chassis, tubes of course.
Jonathan
by
System Details
......three 1957 Sylvannia 5751s. I don't seem to miss the 20% decrease in gain. My 3 watt SET mono blocks have plenty of power and I have nothing but LOMC cartridges. My SUT might have something to do with it.
Tom B.
Upgraded the 12AX7 tubes to GT-12AX7-M (Groove Tubes). Only using the MM inputs. Wanting to upgrade to a MC cart when funds become available.
To power the cart only. Strain gauge don't need no stinkin' RIAA network!
nt
very nice with a Dennon 103R. Phone stage is a 2 box system w/Outboard tube rectified CCS power supply.JD
n/t
nt
NT+
John Crossett___
It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.
With Auricap upgrade. NOS Mazda 5Y3GB rectifier, NOS RCA 5814 and two New Sensor Mullard re-issue 12AX7s."For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
how long before the LED turns green?
Scott T.
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
n
One of them will be for sale soon.
. . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
You're really talking about two very good phono stages that are very different flavors. I wouldn't say there was a clear winner amongst them. The Stealth is highly detailed - particularily in the lower registers - and the Jolida, while less detailed, is super dynamic and "in your face". Different flavors for different folks IMO.Jeff
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
!
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
with Denon AU-300LC SUT and db systems impedance loading selector on the primary.
A great phono stage in a well-regarded tube preamp. Good stuff
George
nt
n/t
Mostly vinyl so don't need elaborate switching for other sources. Would love to try some other top notch stages and compare the latest. It is becoming more difficult with fewer and fewer B&M stores.
AJ
I don't know who made this one but it is an MF AC-1 based on the logo and model number.
nt
reelsmith's axiom : Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
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nt
With matching RAM tubes. I replaced my old Creek OBH-SE with this guy and 'oh what a difference.' Much better phase coherency and warmth.
s
Performance is great. Cost is great. Customer service is solid. Tube rolling is fun. Parts upgradeable. Hawaii!
Have a good one.
n/t
eis
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---Nubz---
z
using the "Burson op amp"? IE. an opamp replacement but made with discrete components.
Regards,
Andy
it's the upgrade Mosin suggested and it was easy so I did it. I'm not into fixing things that aren't broke when it comes to electronics. I'm a diy guy but know little about the tiny pieces and parts and doo dads the get soldered into circuit board thingies. If I'm gonna screw with it, it better be easy and idiot proof and a proven upgrade. I work on aircraft for a living so unless it can be fixed with a hammer, it's too small to work with.
But thanks for the suggestion, I may have to look that up and see what it's about.
---Nubz---
I really liked the JD9.
Then I got the JLTi and found out what I had been missing.
Better dynamics, soundstage, highs are fantastic and the bass is great.
To be fair I upgraded the Paradigm Studio 40sV3 to their S4s at about the same time.
Regards, Jerry
Everything you say about this phono stage echoes my experience so far. My previous main phono stage was a Musical Surroundings Phonomena with the outboard power supply. A side-by-side comparison revealed subtle-to-significant differences with the advantage going to the JLTi in every case except for the range of loading and gain settings for the Phonomena. In addition, the JLTi is quieter by a significant margin.
I was young and naive. Actually it's okay, but I've had nothing else in my system to compare it to.
...
____
"The blues ain't nothin' but a low-down shakin' chill. If you never had 'em, children, I sure hope you never will"
Eddie J. "Son" House
Using NOS Mullard 12AX7, Raytheon 12Au7 and a Brimar 5Z4G. Also the unit has been upgraded with Russian PIO capacitors and Vishay resistors.
I have retired my reference ARC gear to my secondary system!
--
Al G.
I just love the Vishay S102 nudes. I understand the Texas Component resistors are equivalents for a few bucks less.
I found these resistors to make a huge difference in sound stage separation and clarity. I hope they made a similar difference in yours as well!
I am lucky enough to have a great little electronics shop nearby that has a huge inventory of Vishay and Phillips/ECG resistors (all NOS/back stock/dead stock from the '70s-'90s). They have the Vishays in great variety up to about 2w. The Phillips come up to about 10w so I am good to go for PS rebuilding and speaker crossovers too.
They had a better stock of Elna and Panny electrolytic caps too but those are getting harder to come by in the common sizes that everything seems to need.
I like it when I come up with a wheelbarrow load of stuff I can use and the friendly 'ol geezer behind the counter replies to the question of how much? with...Ten Bucks if ya got cash...
It's like Dayton every day in there I swear!
--
Al G.
My secondary, living room system's preamp.
It has been totally rebuilt and refurbished. It is built better than new!
--
Al G.
Hukk
Just got this one today, replaced Lehmann Black Cube. Nice little unit.
Great unit once upgraded and modified. real nice sounding!
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