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SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio.

72.197.10.12
Posted on September 24, 2022 at 11:24:52
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 Hi All, I haven't been here for awhile but I'm now looking for my LAST Phono preamp.

As some of you know I have a Electrocompaniet ECP-1 that is highly Modded and with the last addition of a Bigger Toroidal Transformer with more current capability has been a nice surprise how much better sounding it is.

Now I was browsing (Big Mistake) and came across the SPL Phonos and another I knew of the Liberty Audio B2B-1. Both are said to be very very quiet phono preamp and sound wonderful but I have never heard them.

I have come here to ask the experts of these two units what is/was there opinion/experience with these two fine preamps. If they are a slight upgrade or sideways move I may just stay with my ECP-1 and go for the TOTL Schiit DAC for my streamer.

I don't want to spend more than $2200 at the most after taxes on a NEW BETTER Phono Preamp

Any help would be greatly appreciated since its almost impossible to hear in person now days, so I just want to get the most info/feedback possible to make the best purchase I can because it too expensive to make a mistake.

Currently using a Schiit Saga+ that I upgraded the output caps. It's a 1 to 1 gain with 87 db speakers and Crown XLS 1502 power amp with a pair Monolith 10" THX subs.

Teres 255, ET-2, Audio Technica ART-9, ART-9AX, Sumiko Amethyst With SUT into the ECP-1.

Thanks Guys!

 

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RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 24, 2022 at 15:56:34
Ozzy
Audiophile

Posts: 7588
Joined: September 21, 1999
 I have had an SPL Phonos for a few months now and am very happy with it. It's extremely quiet and very dynamic. It's not dry like some SS gear is. I wouldn't say it's "tube like", it's very neutral, but involving at the same time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.





Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 24, 2022 at 18:25:10
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I hear so much about how it has impact but wonder how it does finesse? Those low more quiet passages.

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 25, 2022 at 08:50:47
Cpwill
Audiophile

Posts: 1096
Location: DC
Joined: December 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: October 24, 2008
 I know of neither of the two. However, it might help others that do offer useful comments if you mention more about what shortcomings the ECP-1 has that you are trying to improve upon.

How do you like the Teres?

Ciao,


"Anyone who understands jazz knows that you can't understand it. It's too complicated. That's what's so simple about it." - Yogi Berra.

Cpwill

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 25, 2022 at 10:57:50
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 Cpwill. Thank You for the reply.

"if you mention more about what shortcomings the ECP-1 has that you are trying to improve upon"

It's a really nice sounding Phono preamp and quiet but just really curious if these other two are actually all around better or just a side step. The ECP-1 has very good reviews but if I can get something in a step up in performance then I would like to grab one. Too bad I couldn't do a side by side comparison to know where the ECP-1 falls.

"How do you like the Teres?

Just love this table. I have had it since I bought it new back in 2003 and it has been a workhorse! The Best investment I ever did in my Audio gear. Just too bad Chris got away from what made them special with the kits and went into the Direct Drive path and other higher cost tables.

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 25, 2022 at 12:57:55
MylesJ
Audiophile

Posts: 1258
Location: Oregon Coast
Joined: October 25, 2001
 I have the Phonos. I have not heard the Liberty or Electrocompanient. I think the major benefits are the +/- 60 volt rails and the flexibility of settings. The settings include things like an Off position for capacitance and +10 and -4db output settings. All settings are available on the front panel. My main cartridge is an AudioTechnica 33PTG/2 which is very good on the Phonos. I will get an ART 9XA next
time around. If you change cartridges a lot the Phonos is a winner. It bumped up the vinyl side so much that my digital side didn't see much action. I recently got a Chord Cutest DAC which made the digital side much better, but still not up to the 33PTG/2 and Phonos combination.

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 25, 2022 at 14:29:10
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 Thanks for the reply. I had the Audio Technica 33PTG/3 so I know the cartridge sound you speak of. Just to let you know the ART9 and ART9 AX are way better than the 33PTG/2 and 33PTG/3 in my system with the ECP-1, so hopefully that helps you out with your future purchase.

This info you gave really has me interested in Phonos and all those features is what the ECP-1 lack but it still sounds really nice but this is what I miss with the ECP-1.

Is there a long break-in process with the Phonos.

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 26, 2022 at 15:59:18
MylesJ
Audiophile

Posts: 1258
Location: Oregon Coast
Joined: October 25, 2001
 Cougar - There wasn't much break-in for the Phonos. I usually find myself wondering about new gear until it breaks in but not in this case.

 

Break-in, posted on September 26, 2022 at 16:31:53
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 MylesJ, Ok that's great to hear cause I saw some reviews and one of the guys said it has a long break-in period. I usually let all my gear do a 100hr break-in.

Thanks again!

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 27, 2022 at 18:07:31
vinyl survivor
Audiophile

Posts: 1471
Location: Southeastern US
Joined: November 28, 2007
 I am sure you have seen this, but it says a lot about how good the SPL Phono is.

I've been using this incredible phono preamp with SPL's 120Volt technology since 2016. Certainly a best bang for the buck.

 

RE: SPL Phonos or Liberty Audio., posted on September 28, 2022 at 16:27:30
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 Thank You for the info.

 

Thank You everyone!, posted on September 28, 2022 at 16:29:03
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I will purchase one of these next week. I hope it works well in my system.

 

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