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I need help regarding tube phono preamplifiers

To the Audiogon community. I am currently considering one of three possible all tube phono preamps to incorporate in my two channel system. The three phono stages are 1.Aesthetix Rhea phono preamp 2.Zesto Andros Deluxe II phono stage and 3. Vac Renaissance phono preamp. I will incorporate the stand alone phono preamp into my McIntosh C48 preamp and utilize a Clearaudio Performance DC turntable with a Clearaudio Universal tonearm and Kiseki Purple Heart phono cartridge. If anyone has experience to help me compare the differences between these phono stages I would greatly appreciate the input. Thanks.

andyhifiman

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,175 posts
 

Perhaps you should consider changing your Preamp from SS to Tube type.

You have a SS Preamp with both MM and fully adjustable MC phono stages within.

I presume you must not like it’s phono sound.

I had McIntosh C28 Preamp, did not like it’s phono sound, actually preferred the sound of a dinky phono built into an inexpensive AT120 TT.

I sold my McIntosh SS Amp and SS Preamp, went to Vintage McIntosh full tube preamp, with wonderful sounding tube MM phono, and added a SUT with PASS to boost MC enough to continue to use the mx110z’s tube MM Phono.

All other sources now thru tube preamp on to modern tube amp with remote volume. All sound terrific thru the tube preamp.

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