Top Phono Stages - what comes to mind?

Kuoppis

Kuoppis

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As I’m getting a new amp w/o in-built phono option due to the negative effects on SQ, I’m pondering over phono options. Here are some that come to mind:

Channel D - Lino C
Current mode phono pre, battery operated and technically a quite smart concept.

Pass XP-27
Trusty partner from a trusty amp specialist. Does many things right, very little wrong. But still doesn’t quite excite me.

Lampizator MC-1
Interesting tube phono from tube DAC specialist Lukasz Fikus. A nice offering, but quite niche. Optimized for low-output MCs, like my Lyra Etna Lambda SL. Have heard it and am intrigued.

Brinkmann Edison II
Re-worked renown phono-pre. For sure good, but the re-work was rather superficial and the concept has been around for a while. Well reviewed.

Aurorasound Vida
Japanese phono amp specialist. Quite versatile and well reviewed. Retro design is an acquired taste IMHO.

Btw, am not going to venture into a 50K Boulder or Ypsilon phono stage.


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I have the lampizator MC2/ Silver edition. It is essentially the mc1, with the ability to support many cartridges. I absolutely love it. You have many good options in that list.


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I have the PASS XP-27. Well built, very flexible, lots of gain, sounds terrific and won’t break the bank.
 
Hounddog said:
I have the lampizator MC2/ Silver edition. It is essentially the mc1, with the ability to support many cartridges. I absolutely love it. You have many good options in that list.


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I do have an offer from Lukasz for an MC1 with all the silver upgrades, with balanced outputs and a mono switch.

I’m pretty sure I will go for it, just doing a final market check.


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Why not the Audionet PAM G2 +EPX Power Supply to match your Humboldt?

It may not be the scientist series but, you can sell it for when the Scientist Series phono stage is released.
 
I had the Lino C 2.0 its quite good, maybe the best for anywhere near the price but its strictly for LOMC with a DCR <10 ohms or so. As you know its a current mode design, differentially balanced and exceptionally quiet. Around that time I had a Burmester 100 and Boulder 1008 phono in the house both voltage gain designs, in different systems they were all capable of outshining the other.

Presently I have two separate TTs set-ups, one using the phono input of a Soulution 520 (voltage gain design), the other a BMC MCCI ULN. The BMC is my current benchmark, it has few flaws in my mind and is exceptional at revealing ultra fine musical information that's buried by noise and other artifacts in other 'stages. its also a current mode design so carts like the Haniwa, My Sonic Lab, SL versions of the Lyras, most Koetsus, XV series Dynavectors and low output ZYX carts are all good matches.
 
The CS Port phono stage that I am using with my Etsuro Gold(mg) cartridge now is, I think, fully run in. It is a very big step up from my Einstein. Not easily available in the states, I got mine from Mik in the UK. He swears its competitive with any phono stage. Uses the same tubes as the Ypsilon. 1 mc input, 2 mm inputs. Amazing musicality, liquidity, and flow. Not terribly expensive.
 
puroagave said:
I had the Lino C 2.0 its quite good, maybe the best for anywhere near the price but its strictly for LOMC with a DCR <10 ohms or so. As you know its a current mode design, differentially balanced and exceptionally quiet. Around that time I had a Burmester 100 and Boulder 1008 phono in the house both voltage gain designs, in different systems they were all capable of outshining the other.

Presently I have two separate TTs set-ups, one using the phono input of a Soulution 520 (voltage gain design), the other a BMC MCCI ULN. The BMC is my current benchmark, it has few flaws in my mind and is exceptional at revealing ultra fine musical information that's buried by noise and other artifacts in other 'stages. its also a current mode design so carts like the Haniwa, My Sonic Lab, SL versions of the Lyras, most Koetsus, XV series Dynavectors and low output ZYX carts are all good matches.
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Thanks, good choices. Currently I also run my phono through the in-built Soulution 520 phono pre.


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Elztalbiker said:
from Germany[emoji12]

model 42 MK III – BLUE AMP


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I know the Blue Amp, and have been talking to the developer. I find him too arrogant to be credible. But I do have friends though who have the Blu Amp 42.

The concept is already quite dated though. And for 16K for the mk3 version I find it overpriced for what it does.


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mdp632 said:
Why not the Audionet PAM G2 +EPX Power Supply to match your Humboldt?

It may not be the scientist series but, you can sell it for when the Scientist Series phono stage is released.
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Valid point. I’m just not so much enamored with the old Audionet sound.


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Bobvin said:
The CS Port phono stage that I am using with my Etsuro Gold(mg) cartridge now is, I think, fully run in. It is a very big step up from my Einstein. Not easily available in the states, I got mine from Mik in the UK. He swears its competitive with any phono stage. Uses the same tubes as the Ypsilon. 1 mc input, 2 mm inputs. Amazing musicality, liquidity, and flow. Not terribly expensive.
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Very interesting concept, as I find - thanks. Design might be slightly an acquired taste.


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aKnyght said:
for a tubed phono optimized for LOMC carts, thomas mayer D3a phono amps should probably be part of your due-diligence.

Phono preamplifiers by Thomas Mayer - VinylSavor - Thomas Mayer
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I would put this into the same category as Lampizator. At least as an inventor-driven approach.

However, the Lampi’s might be a bit more established internationally. That is likely yield a better re-sell value eventually.


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Thank you everyone for the great ideas. That gives me a bit to ponder about.

Much appreciated.


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Kuoppis said:
Very interesting concept, as I find - thanks. Design might be slightly an acquired taste.


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They now have a model with a more generic faceplate, absent the ‘swoosh’.
 
mdp632 said:
when the Scientist Series phono stage is released.
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excellent point.
very imaginable this to be the best match.and it would be the only one i d buy without a listening prior. only for the reason the matching is guaranteed. key point imho.
if i remember right it should have been presented spring 2020 already...so may be worth calling audionet whether things are ready or not.

according to my dealer, nagra classic phono is among the very very best if not the best today.

i think you will be satisfayed with the humboldt and will keep it a long time.
in that sense i d take my time choosing a very pleasant match.
these toys are too painfully expensive to go wrong. selling a used phono pre, even if only one week old, goes along with dramatic loss.
probably you are less in a rush than you think. when the amp arrives:) it takes a couple of weeks for the break in.
however, good luck!
 
I have seen it mentioned in some reviews, such as the recent Tidal review, that the SimAudio Moon 810LP can hold its own with virtually anything on the market. Mike is also a dealer.
 
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