Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Flemming Audio Labs Stage 2 MM Phono Stage Phono Preamp by Joel

Model:	Stage 2 MM Phono Stage
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$299
Description:	Low noise complete phono stage for MM cartridges
Manufacturer URL:	Flemming Audio Labs
Model Picture:	View

Review by Joel_Waterman ( A ) on September 03, 2004 at 22:58:10
IP Address: 69.104.141.242

Add Your Review
for the Stage 2 MM Phono Stage

I have limited experience with phono pre-amps and I wanted to create that sense of perspective that only comes with listening to different gear. And for 299 delivered + 7 day trial for the Stage 2 MM Phono Stage there was little to lose. I wanted to see how it fared against my modified Musical Fidelity X-LPS and X-PSU. That and my 6 months ownership of a KAB USA PH-1 phono stage is my reference.
As you can see from the picture, the Stage 2 is a no-nonsense aluminum brick with a walwart powersupply. It weighs next to nothing. I told you - anti-establishment.
First Day
On the first day I let the unit warm-up for 2 hours. Andy said they burn them in at the factory, so it should sound right almost immediately. My first impressions were pretty good - nice midrange, airy soundstage and extended grain free treble. However, not a lot different from my MF which seemed a little more meaty in the bass with slightly better dynamics and a more forward presentation. But these were first impressions only. Over the next few days I 'worked' pretty hard to find the differences. I could hear them, but describing and validating them was not so simple.
Rock
I had a hard time deciding better/worse and found that 'different' was probably more appropriate. The upper treble had a bit more bite with the MF. The cymbals sound a little more defined with the MF. Both are quiet. No difference in treatment of surface noise that I could discern. On Fire & Rain (James Taylor, Green Label, German pressing) I could more easily identify the background bowed bass lines with the MF. It sounded more of a distant background drone on the Stage 2. Voice seemed to be projected about 1ft more forward in the soundstage.
But the Stage 2 intrigued me. Did it have a little blacker background ? A slightly lower noise floor ? Was it more musical? Perhaps, but in my system the difference was minimal. On the intro to Steve Winwood's 'A Higher Love' I noted that the rim/drum shots seem to contrast from a slightly darker background. Nice grainfree treble extension on this album.
Jazz
Next up Scott Hamilton, 2 (Concord) - this is an incredible sounding album. Scott's sax sounded warmer with the Stage 2, a little rounder, the strings on the Cal Collin's guitar had a slightly deeper sound - you could hear a little more reverberation. These were minimal, but noticeable differences and in this case I think I would give the nod to the Stage 2.
Something was there but I could not put my finger on it. Even after three days of listening on a regular basis. I found the Stage 2 perhaps more beautiful, elegant or even mellow. However, longer term listening was satisfying with both. I often just listened to one entire LP side before switching pre-amps. To let the difference soak in slowly rather than the frenetic A/B/A switching.
Classical
On the last day I checked out some classical music with Furtwangler's Fidelio (on Seraphim). The Stage 2's slightly warmer presentation made the difference with the MF easier discernable and if I were to listen mainly to classical music I would settle for the Stage 2.
Conclusion
I phoned Andy Mcrea. Mainly because I needed to discuss the return with him. But we got talking and of course he asked me about my experience. When I conveyed to him a summary of the above he said that this result was very system dependent. Ha ! So my report was not of an impending 'giant killer' and the manufacturer directly counters with an "it's your system, not my gear" comment ? Not this time.
Sometimes you can just tell when folks give you their honest opinion and don't speak marketing BS. And I really enjoyed my chat with Andy. I agreed with him that the Stage 2 had a potential which my system was not able to surface. If you read my review carefully you can see (I hope) that it hinted at it, but I could not realize it totally. My pre-amp (Rotel) is a weak link - my tubed pre-amp is still not back from the shop, undergoing a major re-build. And I can easily recognize the difference in quality. And Andy said that had he known my system configuration before I started the request for review sample, he would have told me to go for a Stage 1 + Ortofon MC cart rather than replace the MF. He said that the Thorens is a good deck - he is a firm proponent of suspended tables - they manufacture suspension bases for turntables - and that I would get more bang for the buck with a low output MC with appropriate step-up than with going for a new turntable or phono stage replacement for example. Both he and Lloyd think the Ortofon MC-15 is a real sleeper.
And that is the way forward in my view. The only problem is deciding between Andy's Ortofon suggestion and John Ellison's experience with the AT. I like to try a low output MC but first I have to get my pre-amp back, plus ideally I would like to hear an MC in my system before I buy into this vision for my vinyl future. I have the feeling that this path will lead me back to Flemming Audio Labs.
It would be nice to hear someone with a 1000 dollar (or more) phono stage take over the challenge Andy has put before us and try the Stage 2 in their system....so who's next ?

Product Weakness: None at this price
Product Strengths: Airy soundstage, nice midrange, grainfree trebe, quiet

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	See My System Page
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	See My System Page
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	See My System Page
Speakers:	See My System Page
Cables/Interconnects:	See My System Page
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	See My System Page
Room Size (LxWxH):	x x x x x
Room Comments/Treatments:	See My System Page
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	See My System Page
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	None at this price
Product Strengths:	Airy soundstage, nice midrange, grainfree trebe, quiet