cambridge audio phono stages


anybody heard these yet? they're pretty new on the market, I think. wondering how they rank.
drumsuck

Showing 1 response by afro18

Drumsuck,

I have a Cambridge Audio A500 integrated with the factory Phono Stage card installed. So, I think I'm quite close to what that stage will do.

Firstly, DON'T USE GRADO! It makes the natural hum much worse than it is. However, it has a lush warm sound for a High Output Moving Coil cart. Depending on table, this stage will love Benz, Goldring, Dynavector, and such.

Now, I've went to a Low-Output Denon and using a Lehmann Black Cube. I'd go for a Black Cube over the Cambridge anyday; but that's not saying the Cambridge is a bad idea. Just Lehmann did it so much better.

If you are spending $300, used Lehmann is the way to go! If you are spending $450, try either an Audio Research PH1 used or a new Jolida. If you can get $800, go for a Audio Research PH-3 used. Over 1K, the sky is the limit.

Marty Nickison