Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

**Mike** · January 3, 2016, 11:42 PM

Looking for recommendations for a killer tube phonostage that has XLR outputs (Avantgarde zero XD's have XLR inputs for analog).

Budget is under $10k
Tubes preferred
XLR outputs

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Bobolaclune** · January 4, 2016, 10:02 AM

ASR Basis Exclusive

**bonzo** · January 4, 2016, 10:04 AM

Based on reading, not listening, Thoress is a DHT phono that people have replaced their Burmester, Boulder with, and Mike Lavigne rated it as the best he had heard, and it was low priced. Also heard a guy who replaced his Audio Tekne with it.

**Bobolaclune** · January 4, 2016, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by bonzo

Based on reading, not listening, Thoress is a DHT phono that people have replaced their Burmester, Boulder with, and Mike Lavigne rated it as the best he had heard, and it was low priced. Also heard a guy who replaced his Audio Tekne with it.

The Thoeress is a single ended output only phono stage.

**JJinID** · January 5, 2016, 09:45 AM

Mike - the ModWright PH150 looks like it would meet your requirements:

http://www.modwright.com/sources/ph-...hono-stage.php

**Mike** · January 5, 2016, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

The Thoeress is a single ended output only phono stage.

Bummer.

**Mike** · January 5, 2016, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by JJinID

Mike - the ModWright PH150 looks like it would meet your requirements:

http://www.modwright.com/sources/ph-...hono-stage.php

BruceLet just bought this one. I'm looking forward to his comments.

**BobM** · January 5, 2016, 06:01 PM

Jim Hagerman can make his Trumpet phonostage with XLR outputs since it is a fully balanced design.

**puroagave** · January 5, 2016, 06:14 PM

Doshi, BAT and Aesthetix. Tube w/ XLR outs.

**BruceLet** · January 5, 2016, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

BruceLet just bought this one. I'm looking forward to his comments.

Modwright PH150......I set up my Basis table this afternoon with a new Air Tight cartridge..... A near new ARC REF6 (100 hrs) and a new ModWright PH150. The sound is big, dynamic and crystal clear, with a black background. The 3D soundstage is huge and detailed. I'm sure it will get better with breakin but the Raidho D1s are doing amazing things today. I can't wait to hear what it will do with my Salon 2s. I am running the Modwright single ended at this point until I get a balanced pair of interconnects. I parted with a Keith Herron phono stage, which I loved and had for years, but the Modwright looks like it's going to be a big step up.

I love the external power supply with a 40 inch cable and the on the fly settings on the front. The build quality is excellent.

**Bobolaclune** · January 5, 2016, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by BruceLet

Modwright PH150......I set up my Basis table this afternoon with a new Air Tight cartridge..... A near new ARC REF6 (100 hrs) and a new ModWright PH150. The sound is big, dynamic and crystal clear, with a black background. The 3D soundstage is huge and detailed. I'm sure it will get better with breakin but the Raidho D1s are doing amazing things today. I can't wait to hear what it will do with my Salon 2s. I am running the Modwright single ended at this point until I get a balanced pair of interconnects. I parted with a Keith Herron phono stage, which I loved and had for years, but the Modwright looks like it's going to be a big step up.

I love the external power supply with a 40 inch cable and the on the fly settings on the front. The build quality is excellent.

Let's hope Dan has upped his game since I owned an LS100 preamp with phono stage a couple of years ago. Got channel reversals and phase issues until I opened the unit up and found out the wiring was reversed . Dan was suitably chastened.....

**Bobolaclune** · January 5, 2016, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Bummer.

Mike - I have an AMR PH-77 which is an astonishingly good phono stage , XLR outputs . Triple input capability, remote control gain/loading adjustment . NOS tubes . Deadly quiet. Recommend it highly. Ran rings around the amazingly noisy Rhea Signature I had. And it comes in a flight case....I know that's important to you.

**Mike** · January 5, 2016, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Mike - I have an AMR PH-77 which is an astonishingly good phono stage , XLR outputs . Triple input capability, remote control gain/loading adjustment . NOS tubes . Deadly quiet. Recommend it highly. Ran rings around the amazingly noisy Rhea Signature I had. And it comes in a flight case....I know that's important to you.

Oh boy! That sounds like a winner. Thanks!! I will check it out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Bobolaclune** · January 5, 2016, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Oh boy! That sounds like a winner. Thanks!! I will check it out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yeah , forgot - 23 equalisation curves & a built-in 24/96 A-D converter for ripping vinyl to digital. I love the fact that the main Cart labels are all built in so you can identify each input by the manufacturer

**Mike** · January 5, 2016, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Oh yeah , forgot - 23 equalisation curves & a built-in 24/96 A-D converter for ripping vinyl to digital. I love the fact that the main Cart labels are all built in so you can identify each input by the manufacturer

WOW! What's MSRP?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Bobolaclune** · January 5, 2016, 08:07 PM

$12K I think , but who pays list?

**Mike** · January 5, 2016, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

$12K I think , but who pays list?

Shhhh.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**RedSectorA** · January 5, 2016, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Bummer.

Tell me about it!

**Garth** · January 5, 2016, 09:08 PM

Mike

I have tried a few Phono stages the one I picked was the Burmister 100

The Reasons were balanced with XLR

It can be had with out A to D converter and only one input it might make your budget

The big down side for you is it is Solid state . A big plus for me

This Phono has a lot of magic in the right system

I looked at phonos that I could not afford many great designers prefer not to use XLR for phonos some will not use them.

The foundation of a phono stage for many designers is the power supply a tricky thing to get right.

Any one buying a phono stage in my humble opinion should look at how many inputs can you limit your self to. Will the cartridge match the Phono Stage.

As far as I know the Phono is biggest multiplier of the signal their for a far more important to get as right as you can.

I heard a very fine tube Phono in my system well built great reviews it was horrid . I heard the exact same Phono in a friends system and it was great 3 of us tried to make it sound even passable in my house and that did not happen.

They are fussy and very system dependent unless some one has the same system and taste in sound as you I really think you are on your own with this one.

Best of luck

**RedSectorA** · January 5, 2016, 10:22 PM

It's not for everybody but one just like that has been serving me very well for 7 years now, and mine is definitely not for sale. Only difference with mine is a dual power supply. Tubes, he'll yeah!

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/262219235270?...&ul_noapp=true

**MikeCh** · January 5, 2016, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Oh yeah , forgot - 23 equalisation curves & a built-in 24/96 A-D converter for ripping vinyl to digital. I love the fact that the main Cart labels are all built in so you can identify each input by the manufacturer

The AMR PH-77 will be my next phono stage! (have no idea when, but it's been on my radar for over a year now)

**JJinID** · January 5, 2016, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Let's hope Dan has upped his game since I owned an LS100 preamp with phono stage a couple of years ago. Got channel reversals and phase issues until I opened the unit up and found out the wiring was reversed . Dan was suitably chastened.....

Are you really going to disparage an entire product line based on a mistake made by one of Dan's techs? Stuff happens, even to big manufacturers. I have a LS100 in my system and the phone stage is excellent. The PH 150 is at another level better. Have you heard it?

**BruceLet** · January 5, 2016, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by JJinID

Are you really going to disparate an entire product line based on a mistake made by one of Dan's techs? Stuff happens, even to big manufacturers. I have a LS100 in my system and the phone stage is excellent. The PH 150 is at another level better. Have you heard it?

+1

**Mike** · January 5, 2016, 11:56 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys! All good ones! I'm going to be on the lookout at CES too, maybe something will catch my eye.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**bpw** · January 6, 2016, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Mike - I have an AMR PH-77 which is an astonishingly good phono stage , XLR outputs . Triple input capability, remote control gain/loading adjustment . NOS tubes . Deadly quiet. Recommend it highly. Ran rings around the amazingly noisy Rhea Signature I had. And it comes in a flight case....I know that's important to you.

I sold one to a local customer who listens to vinyl almost exclusively (but he also had purchased an AMR CD-77 from me and still uses it). He loves it. Interestingly, though, he came over for a listen to the Atma-Sphere MP-1 which had been upgraded recently to Mk 3.3 status and said it's even quieter than the AMR, which is no slouch as you know. AMR stopped making the 77 series components a while back, and there aren't that many PH-77s out there. Enjoy, it's a good one.

**Bobolaclune** · January 6, 2016, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by JJinID

Are you really going to disparage an entire product line based on a mistake made by one of Dan's techs? Stuff happens, even to big manufacturers. I have a LS100 in my system and the phone stage is excellent. The PH 150 is at another level better. Have you heard it?

Hmmm....don't get your panties in a twist . Would you rather have a forum where everyone just blindly raves for every product or would you rather suffer through the painful process of hearing the truth? I don't think even a cursory glance at my note would suggest I was disparaging the entire line , simply relaying an actual experience ...one no doubt painful to hear for acolytes but nevertheless , the truth. And for the record , Dan fessed up to the fact that he himself had built my LS100 . Best with all these manufacturers to face up to who they are - primarily micro-scale enterprises with all the foibles that comes with. Unless you labour under some perception that these are large scale industrial enterprises with defined QC functions and an elaborate structure.

**Bobolaclune** · January 6, 2016, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Garth

Mike

I have tried a few Phono stages the one I picked was the Burmister 100

The Reasons were balanced with XLR

It can be had with out A to D converter and only one input it might make your budget

The big down side for you is it is Solid state . A big plus for me

This Phono has a lot of magic in the right system

I looked at phonos that I could not afford many great designers prefer not to use XLR for phonos some will not use them.

The foundation of a phono stage for many designers is the power supply a tricky thing to get right.

Any one buying a phono stage in my humble opinion should look at how many inputs can you limit your self to. Will the cartridge match the Phono Stage.

As far as I know the Phono is biggest multiplier of the signal their for a far more important to get as right as you can.

I heard a very fine tube Phono in my system well built great reviews it was horrid . I heard the exact same Phono in a friends system and it was great 3 of us tried to make it sound even passable in my house and that did not happen.

They are fussy and very system dependent unless some one has the same system and taste in sound as you I really think you are on your own with this one.

Best of luck

Excellent phonostage but I think base price for a single input model is in the $20K area so that might bust the budget Mike has arbitrarily (!) set. A fully loaded dual input A/D equipped unit would be $28K.

**MikeCh** · January 6, 2016, 11:18 AM

I re-read Fremer's review of the AMR PH-77 last night and he mentions that its a single ended design with "convenience" XLR outputs which are not true balanced outs. Not sure if that makes a difference for you Mike?

**Mike** · January 6, 2016, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by MikeCh

I re-read Fremer's review of the AMR PH-77 last night and he mentions that its a single ended design with "convenience" XLR outputs which are not true balanced outs. Not sure if that makes a difference for you Mike?

Hmm...thanks Mike...let me think about it. I think that's going to be the case with 99% of those with XLR - except for maybe BAT and a few others??

**cmalak** · January 6, 2016, 12:32 PM

The ARC phonos are true XLR outs.

**bpw** · January 6, 2016, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by MikeCh

I re-read Fremer's review of the AMR PH-77 last night and he mentions that its a single ended design with "convenience" XLR outputs which are not true balanced outs. Not sure if that makes a difference for you Mike?

I believe you are correct. Going through transformers to provide balanced outputs may not be advisable due to high frequency roll off. Better to stick with a truly differential balanced design.

**JJinID** · January 6, 2016, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Hmmm....don't get your panties in a twist . Would you rather have a forum where everyone just blindly raves for every product or would you rather suffer through the painful process of hearing the truth? I don't think even a cursory glance at my note would suggest I was disparaging the entire line , simply relaying an actual experience ...one no doubt painful to hear for acolytes but nevertheless , the truth. And for the record , Dan fessed up to the fact that he himself had built my LS100 . Best with all these manufacturers to face up to who they are - primarily micro-scale enterprises with all the foibles that comes with. Unless you labour under some perception that these are large scale industrial enterprises with defined QC functions and an elaborate structure.

WOW, really? Panties in a twist? Not hardly. I found your comment to be unbalanced and disparaging, without mentioning the resolution to your issue and if you were taken care of by Dan, which you undoubtedly were. I have no problem with people sharing actual real world experiences, yours included, and like Bruce just did with his actual impressions of the PH 150.

Mike - lots of good recommendations on this thread, and sorry for the aside. I will look forward to seeing what you decide on.

**Bobolaclune** · January 6, 2016, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by JJinID

WOW, really? Panties in a twist? Not hardly. I found your comment to be unbalanced and disparaging, without mentioning the resolution to your issue and if you were taken care of by Dan, which you undoubtedly were. I have no problem with people sharing actual real world experiences, yours included, and like Bruce just did with his actual impressions of the PH 150.

Mike - lots of good recommendations on this thread, and sorry for the aside. I will look forward to seeing what you decide on.

Just to clarify - disparagement has connotations or implications of slanderous or unfounded generalised negative pronouncements . I was making comments about an actual situation and if you like , I can post Dan's embarrassed responses to confirm what I am saying. As to resolution ? He suggested I reverse the wiring harness connections myself .....

I guess this is what cognitive dissonance looks like.

**puroagave** · January 6, 2016, 03:13 PM

out of phase wiring or not, my interest is piqued... who's a dealer for the PH150?

**RedSectorA** · January 6, 2016, 04:59 PM

Aesthetix Io is balanced at the inputs.

**MtnHam** · January 6, 2016, 07:00 PM

Is he ARC Phono REF2 SE no longer considered a contender in this category?

**myrman** · January 6, 2016, 07:47 PM

The Aesthetix Rhea and Rhea Sig both have XLR out. I currently have the Rhea but am considering moving up to the Sig or the Modwright PH150.

**Garth** · January 6, 2016, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Excellent phonostage but I think base price for a single input model is in the $20K area so that might bust the budget Mike has arbitrarily (!) set. A fully loaded dual input A/D equipped unit would be $28K.

I bought mine a few years ago prices were less then. I thought the base price was 12 back then.

**drabbish** · January 6, 2016, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Garth

I bought mine a few years ago prices were less then. I thought the base price was 12 back then.

it was 16 when i wanted one then jumped to 20 base price, I have a 088 and 911 but really didnt want to spend that much on a phono even with a good offered discount on the purchase.

**drabbish** · January 6, 2016, 11:37 PM

mike I have been looking for a tube phono with xlr and seems the most popular ones with a true xlr that are in the price range are BAT and ARC, not sure what the new ARC phono 3 will cost

**Mike** · January 6, 2016, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by drabbish

mike I have been looking for a tube phono with xlr and seems the most popular ones with a true xlr that are in the price range are BAT and ARC, not sure what the new ARC phono 3 will cost

I wanted to stick to around $10k. I heard the Dynamic Sound Associates phono at RMAF and was very impressed - but it's SS.

The Zesto 1.2 would be ideal if it had XLR out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**A/V Solutions** · January 7, 2016, 12:52 AM

Ckeck out K&K audio, Kevin Carter use to work for VAC, he builds nice stuff.....has XLR outs that your looking for. I owned one of his maxed out units and it was really nice......plus it has tubes

http://www.kandkaudio.com/

**Loop4fun** · January 7, 2016, 01:38 AM

I've heard Albert Porter's system with an Allnic phono stage. I believe it had XLR outputs and a balance or not balanced switch. Don't know the price of his phono stage, but his overall system is as good as it gets.

**bpw** · January 7, 2016, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by Loop4fun

I've heard Albert Porter's system with an Allnic phono stage. I believe it had XLR outputs and a balance or not balanced switch. Don't know the price of his phono stage, but his overall system is as good as it gets.

Unless I am mistaken Albert has been running single ended for a long time. And isn't Allnic single ended internally? Albert loves rolling tubes and gets good sound.

**Loop4fun** · January 7, 2016, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by bpw

Unless I am mistaken Albert has been running single ended for a long time. And isn't Allnic single ended internally? Albert loves rolling tubes and gets good sound.

Brian, You are probably right. The Allnic H-3000 does however appear to have balanced outputs as well as single ended. Albert might be running a model higher up the food chain as I'm not really familiar with the brand, but he swears by it. I wouldn't know internally, but there is a switch on the back that says "unbalanced output" with an arrow pointed toward the RCA jack.

I would have assumed that meant the XLR output was balanced. I'm a huge AMR fan though, having owned the DP 777 and 777SE. I would love to own their phono stage.

My preamp has only XLR outputs but is single ended, so I realize having the XLR output is not necessarily "balanced"

**Anatta** · January 7, 2016, 05:49 AM

MSRP: $5,400 to $7,500 (depending on configuration)

http://www.octave.de/en/htdocs/verst...honomodule.php

http://www.tonepublications.com/revi...-preamplifier/

**CPP** · January 7, 2016, 12:21 PM

Mike there is a Modwright PH-150 Phono Stage with about 10 hours on it on AC for $6500

**Mike** · January 7, 2016, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by CPP

Mike there is a Modwright PH-150 Phono Stage with about 10 hours on it on AC for $6500

Thanks. I will check it out. I want to see what CES brings.

**BruceLet** · January 9, 2016, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Hmm...thanks Mike...let me think about it. I think that's going to be the case with 99% of those with XLR - except for maybe BAT and a few others??

Mike, The ModWright is fully balanced.

Technical Specs
MM/MC: 72dB max MC gain; 57dB max MM gain.
Loading: (6) resistive and (6) capacitance loadings via front panel control – on the fly!
Gain Adjustment: Front panel on-the-fly control of gain = 0dB, -6dB, -12dB attenuation.
Input Switching: MM/Mute/MC input switching on-the-fly via front panel controls.
Mono/Stereo Switching: Front panel controls.
Phase Switching: rear toggle.
XLR/RCA Output Switching: Rear toggle selects XLR (fully balanced) or RCA outs.
Power Supply: External, pure SS, via 4ft. umbilical.
Tubes: (2)6C45; (2)6922/6DJ8/7308

**Garth** · January 9, 2016, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by drabbish

it was 16 when i wanted one then jumped to 20 base price, I have a 088 and 911 but really didnt want to spend that much on a phono even with a good offered discount on the purchase.

It is hard right now to say any thing about price I am sure your comments are right but here in Canada with our dollar dropping like a stone any USA product is very hard to take the big price increase caused by the Dollar. Seeing a lot more overseas products as the exchange is a bit better.

It is looking like for every dollar we spent last year it will cost a dollar forty to a dollar fifty this year with shipping and taxes.

The fed jumped the gun with their interest hike . IMO

The Banks feel the Canadian dollar will come back in time. Enjoy what I got until then why pay a 50% increase that is just dollar related.

Mike are you looking for a phono for personal IE is used a option or is this to put into a store for resale.

Take a look at the over seas gear it is better priced than it was at lest in Canada

Thread: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Re: Recommendations for Tube Phonostage with XLR/balanced outputs

Posting Permissions