Even at a much lower level, such as my present system, the phono stage is the component that I have to be careful about choosing. It wasn’t whether the unit was good or bad so to say, but how well it worked with the cartridge that I am using. Funny thing is that once I got the ’right’ phono stage, it revealed how lacking my cartridge is, and on we go. FWIW, I have tried out 4 phono stages just to get this far. I should also add that they were of 3 different designs, i.e. LR (inductor Resistance), two tubed, and SS.
Phono Stage Advice
Looking to add a phono stage to my recently upgraded system.
A few months ago I went the tube route by adding an Audio Research Ref 160S amplifier and a Ref 6SE line stage preamplifier. In addition I got back into vinyl with a Pro-ject 6 Perspex SB. I have decided to stay in the vinyl game but believe I need to add a dedicated phono stage to improve my phono sound. Currently, I have my phono connected into my HT MX160 McIntosh preamp and then I put the ref 6se preamp into pass thru mode. My belief is that I can get much better sound if I directly connect my phono into the ref 6SE (bypassing McIntosh MX160) but to do that I need a phono stage OR am I overthinking this and will not get a much better sound and stick with current set up. I am impressed with the tube sound but open to SS if that makes better sense.
Additional Components involved:
Wilson Audio Alexia speakers, transparent cabling, sumiko cartridge, Lumin T2 connected directly into Audio Research preamp. Predominantly listen to 50/60's Jazz, Classical and some rock.
I am also open to upgrading my TT if you think that should be part of my solution.
I would like to stay under $10K for the phono line stage and separately under $10K for a phono upgrade including cartridge.
Look forward to the creative solutions and thanks in advance for your thoughts and input.
Woots