what Phono stage do you using?

byrdparis

byrdparis

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Dec 10, 2016
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Hi all.
i am interesting to see\hear from you guys which phono stage(s) are you all using right now?
which do the trick for ya? tube or SS? how long did you go for (investment wise) compared to you analog set up in general...

:hey:
 
I started off with the small EAR 384 P (tube), migrated to ARC PH6 (tube), auditioned for a while in my system the Nagra VPS (tube) and now running Grandinote Celio (magnetosolid).


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I've owned many over the years, my favorite until recently had been the tube offerings from BAT. I ran two tables a lot of the time and mostly had a BAT VK-P10 and VK-P10se w/super pak. I have owned a few VK-P10se without the super pak too. I Just sold my last one.
During this time period (13 or so years) I have also had Audio Research Ref 2, Parasound JC 3+, Tom Evans Groove, Pass Labs Xono w/ smaller power supply, Ayre P5xe, Simaudio LP5.3 w/outboard power supply, ASR Basis Exclusive. Some of these I liked, but none better than any of the BAT units.
Right now I am using the AudioNet PAM G2 with optional EPS G2 power supply. I like it more than any I have had so far.
 
Using Zesto Andros 1.2 tube phono. A wonderful piece, great looking and at a reasonable cost.
 
Ritmo said:
Using Zesto Andros 1.2 tube phono. A wonderful piece, great looking and at a reasonable cost.
Click to expand...

The Zesto 1.2 I preferred to Allnic 3000 by a fair margin, on the Kronos Sparta with Acoustical Palladian and soundsith Poua carts. The dealer said that's a giant killer, he loves it
 
tom_hankins said:
I've owned many over the years, my favorite until recently had been the tube offerings from BAT. I ran two tables a lot of the time and mostly had a BAT VK-P10 and VK-P10se w/super pak. I have owned a few VK-P10se without the super pak too. I Just sold my last one.
During this time period (13 or so years) I have also had Audio Research Ref 2, Parasound JC 3+, Tom Evans Groove, Pass Labs Xono w/ smaller power supply, Ayre P5xe, Simaudio LP5.3 w/outboard power supply, ASR Basis Exclusive. Some of these I liked, but none better than any of the BAT units.
Right now I am using the AudioNet PAM G2 with optional EPS G2 power supply. I like it more than any I have had so far.
Click to expand...

Can you please describe differences in classical music, especially between ASR, AR Ref 2, and the BAT? Feel free to add any. And are you saying you now prefer the Audionet to the BAT?
 
Kuoppis said:
I started off with the small EAR 384 P (tube), migrated to ARC PH6 (tube), auditioned for a while in my system the Nagra VPS (tube) and now running Grandinote Celio (magnetosolid).


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Click to expand...

Hi, can you please say what you preferred about the Grandinote to the Nagra, especially on classical music?
 
bonzo said:
Hi, can you please say what you preferred about the Grandinote to the Nagra, especially on classical music?
Click to expand...

I got the Nagra to sound very good, but somehow it nevertheless tended to sound either too flat or too sweet, depending on which card I was using. What was mostly putting me off was that I needed to listen louder than I wanted to get the best out of it. It delivered great details, but no SS level bass definition.

The Grandinote in turn delivers best of both worlds with tremendous detail, a touch of sweetness and still well defined bass. I guess due to the Magnetosolid design (tube architecture implemented with SS technology).

The Nagra is great, but I like the Grandinote better.

Addition: In particular related to classical music I feel that string dynamics and crescendos become more lively with the more structured bass.


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bonzo said:
Can you please describe differences in classical music, especially between ASR, AR Ref 2, and the BAT? Feel free to add any. And are you saying you now prefer the Audionet to the BAT?
Click to expand...

It's been awhile since the ASR and the ARC, but the BAT was a bigger more powerful sound than either of them. The ARC had a really wide soundstage, I do remember that. But it didn't sound (to me) as fleshed out through the midrange as the BAT, it was very good though and just a preference thing.
The ASR was not for me.
The AudioNet with or without the upgraded power supply is really good. It is my favorite by a good margin. It is quiet, extended, resolves detail better than any I have had. It has nice dense images, really no weaknesses I have heard. For classical none I have had could throw a stage like it does.
If I didn't have the AudioNet, I would have the BAT VK-p12se with super pak, or ARC Reference 3.
 
I started with phono card installed as an option in Accu E450 integrated amp.
Then I bought my first separate phono - the Microgroove by Tom Evans, then upraded to Microgroove+ mk2 and a few years ago I bought directly from Tom Evans a Groove + mk2 with new Lithos regulators and a separate power supply.
It' s a SS design but in perfect match with my SET amplification.
The analog is for me a third source after files and sacds to play my old vinyls and some new which I buy occasionaly.
 
Last edited:
I started with something simple then graduated to a Hagerman Coronet that I built and upgraded myself. It was a wonderful project and I learned a lot.

Then I went to the big boy, the Hagerman Trumpet and haven't looked back.

IMO, the phono stage is the most overlooked and critical component in a turntable setup. If it isn;lt up to the task then nothing you put in front of it will sound as good as it should.
 
I started with an ARC PH3, then I added a Cinemag SUT with my Denon dl-103r. This sounded good but was a little too rolled off.

I then tried a Moon 110LP but it was a little too bright and aggressive sounding.

Then I tried a Jeff Rowland Consummate phono and preamp and that has been my best choice. Quiet yet detailed. The highs are more extended but not etched like with the Moon. I then upgraded the cartridge to a ZYX Universe and everything improved. I am totally happy. For an old phono amp it sure works well.
 
Rogue Ares Magnum - with a Bob's Devices Sky 40 SUT, Audioquest WEL LP interconnects, and my selected NOS tube blend. The Ares has come a long way from the 1st bone stock unit I bought in 2010. Shamefully, this is my 4th Ares purchased. In this most recent configuration, I preferred it over the $10K VAC Renaissance phono stage. And I used to love the VAC Renaissance III preamp's built-in MM stage, but like I said the maxxed Ares has come a long way. I run various Koetsu Platinum cartridges.
 
thanks you guys! awesome choices around!
will love to hear the ARC ref3 but around here is nearly impossible.
i was heard at a friend house the 2 se a couple of times with CA GFA, but he got so much different system then mine, its impossible to cut the phono benefits.

any one got any experience with KONDO GE1 and sut?
 
I loved the Burm 100 much more than the Arc Ph7 (which is a much lower price bracket), and interestingly, in his review (think it was Richard Mak) commented that the Burm still had the hold over Ref 2, similar to what I remember over the Ph7, but he said that the Ref 3 had leveled that gap. So the jump from Ref 2 to 3 must be quite something. Interestingly ARC with the their Ref 40, Ref 10, Ref 250SE and Ref 3 seem to have really upped their sound.
 
VictorKab Phonostage!





 

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