2. amps-preamps
  3. 1130881058

Best phono preamp? Want world class the best

I recently started to listen to vinyl, my set up is clear audio emotion table/arm grado cartridge. For phono stage I am using an ear834 deluxe.I was happy with what I was hearing on my merlins driven by sim w-5. Until I brought my ear to a show room to compare to new components, on first listening it appeared the same but then I realized there was a sense of life like sound on his $7000.00 martinson phono. This is just to high of a price for me. I am seeking to get the best sound out there, the martinson is solid state so I realized I don't have to go with tubes. My budget is up to $2000.00 for used, BUT I want the best sound possible. I will be upgrading table and cartidge soon.
pedrillo

Showing 1 response by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,134 posts
 
Perdillo, either you want 'world-class'...'the best'....or you want the best phono stage for around $2000 used. they are not the same thing.

if you want world class they will start around $7k and go up to $40k at retail.

OTOH there are some wonderful used phono stages for the $2k used. at around $3k+ used you will start finding used phono stages that had retailed for around $7k; some of these will get you close to world-class phono stage performance; but not quite all the way there.

some examples of excellent $3k to $4k used phono stages would be the Manley Steelhead, the Aesthetix Io, and the Lamm LP2. any of these would get you to the level just below world-class. there are likely a few others to consider.

i am less familiar with the best used phono stages around $2k, as those would have had to be about $4k to $5k at retail.....i have not spent time with any units in that are currently in that price range.

BTW, there are some 'giant-killers' out there to be sure; and also clever mod jobs and even DIY phono stages that can be very special. my above comments refer to off-the-shelf units that are known to me.
More to discover