Phonostage recommendations under $3K

Update:

I brought in phono board option to compare with EAT e-Glo. It’s been three weeks listening through AD-50 and much to my surprise, it has surpassed my expectations. The sound is every bit Accuphase is known for.....warm, delicious and detailed without any harshness. I would say Accuphase has done a incredible job of not calling any attention to AD-50. Whenever I am listening to Vinyl, I am no longer ‘distracted’ by impedance and gain adjustments as one may be with any phono stage that has on the fly impedance and gain adjustments :-)
Also AD-50 is dead quiet compared to the two external phono stages (SS and tube) I’ve tried prior to inserting AD-50 in my system.

http://www.accuphase.com/cat/ad-50_e.pdf

For now AD-50 is a keeper and stone cold bargain at $1K. I would like to acknowledge @robelvick for his feedback and encouragement to try the AD-50.

My analog setup: SME Model 15 ➡️ SME 309 Tonearm ➡️ Hana Umami Red Cart ➡️ Audio Envy Phono Deluxe DIN>RCA cable ➡️ Accuphase E-650 w/AD-50 phono board.

@larryi,

The audition of SunValley EQ1616D will have to wait until Victor Kung / Kevin Carter can meet the demand. I think they are experiencing a huge production backlog.

mulveling,

Did you get your Hagerman MC Trumpet?

Nope, the US dealer who also happens to be the distributor of Vida apparently not interested in dishing out a demo piece. My email / phone call to Alfred did not get a reply. Oh well, may be I get lucky with a used piece. 

Any news about the audition of Aurorasound Vida ? 

Ok, I had my Herron phono back from Keith for a month with new tubes and 2A upgrade. Very impressed with the product and support Keith provides. Warm, dead quiet and easy to use and set-up! For $2500 on the used market, this is a no-brainer. I will be listing my SS phonos and unneeded SUTs in the months to come. They are good, but not on the same level as the Herron phono.

To Mullvelling
Any news on  the Hagerman trumpet mc ?
Thanks

I can only recommend Sutherland and Zesto phono stages.  The 20/20 with LPS is well within budget.  If you can scrap together more; I'd recommend the Little Loco for your low-output MC cartridge.  No messing with settings as this unit is transimpedance.  It has taken my rig to another level. 

You could also try to find a used Zesto Andros tube based phono stage, which I owned for a few years and sounded wonderful too.  I just got lazy with turning the thing on and off etc.  

Good luck!

Accuphase phono card for your E650 ?

“Thanks for your recommendation. May I know what cartridge you’re pairing with E1?”

I use Dynavector 20 low output on Amadeus Mk2

@larryi,

I hear you on tube phono’s. I am using one in my system. The SunValley tube phono peaked my interest, that’s a very interesting piece. It’s definitely worth trying :-) 

I don't have that much experience with phono stages in the price range you specified.  However, as a general observation, I like tube gear, including tube phono stages.  Where higher gain is needed for MC cartridges, my general preference is for using a step up transformer rather than another active gain stage.  I happen to like the sound of "iron" in my system.  The other reason to go with tubes is the ability to tailor the sound to one's specific preference by trying out different tubes.

It has been a while, but, I heard a Hagerman phono stage in a friend's system and it sounded quite good, particularly for the money.  

I recently read about the Sunvalley tube phono stage in Stereophile, which costs less than $1,000 for a kit, and something like $2,000 if purchased assembled.  It gives one the ability to actually change equalization curves--both the turnover frequency and the slope of the curve.  I've heard phono stages that have this ability and was surprised at how useful this is even when one doesn't have older records that do not use RIAA equalization.  You can read about this phono stage at:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-42-sunvalley-audio-sv-eq1616d-phono-equalizer

Good luck on your search.

@fbpearce,

Thanks for your recommendation. May I know what cartridge you’re pairing with E1? 

The Pass Labs XONO is a nice phonostage.  Fremer has a write up about it on the web.

Luxman E1 if you can find one on the used market. I have one in one of my systems and the sound matches the "relaxed, slightly warm" in the OP

@millercarbon 

It's. That's the word you're looking for. It's a contraction for "it is." See what I just did there?

Any further update on the Trumpet MC. Looks interesting Considering it’s pedigree.

I like the Sutherland 20 20 I'm using now. 2400$ w LPS. 

Thanks @chakster. Will check it out, for now I am enjoying my time with E-Glo S with external LPS. It has surpassed all of my expectations, gorgeous relaxed sound that is expected from any well made tube phono. The build quality and the sound certainly punches way above its asking price.

Current-injection (for low impedance MC only) from 47Labs:
Phono Cube 

Transimpedance MC phono preamps are an excellent solution if MM is not required. Lots of candidates such as AQVOX, BMC, Channel D, Sutherland Loco and CH Precision to name just a few. I greatly appreciate the benefit of never having to second guess resistive loading since only gain is an issue. I would suspect your 6 Ohm internal impedance Hana Umami would be an acceptable match with any of these.

If I am going to be settling with a MC cart, I wonder if pursuing a MC only phono would offer a better sound over purpose built MM/MC phono’s?

MM and MC are two separate circuits in a good phono stages.
If you have half of it you only lack MM input which is a nice to have on any phono stage, because you can use it as a second MC (with SUT). 

Anyone here tried the Chord Symphonic MC phono? I would love to hear your feedback.

The Hana Red Umami / EAT E-Glo S is settling down nicely. For past week or so, I’ve heard incremental improvements.

If I am going to be settling with a MC cart, I wonder if pursuing a MC only phono would offer a better sound over purpose built MM/MC phono’s?

@cerrot,

Congrats on your H3000. I do appreciate your offer but for now I am not making any changes until I get fully versed with newly arrived SME Model 15A / Hana Umami Red Cart / EAT E-Glo S w/external LPS. 

@three_easy_payments,

I am expecting Umami Red by this weekend, stay tuned for feedback sometime next week.

Surprised that no one has recommended the Ayre 5Pxe I'm using one with my Pass, VPI, Soundsmith set up and think it sound really great.
Good luck.

And yes, at some point I’ll bring Vida

this is all i need to know
report back when you can try it

@lalitk   

How do you like the Hana Umami Red, particularly compared to the Hana ML? The Umami squarely on my radar.

@lalitk

Nice setup. I had a SME 10 and it was a very nice TT. I am sure the 15 with it’s suspension is even better

@chakster,

I just realized, I did not post the latest updates with my Analog setup. I no longer own the Thorens TD1601 / Hana ML and Parasound ZPhono.

My new Analog setup is,

SME Model 15A / Hana Umami Red Cart / EAT E-Glo S w/external LPS.

I got the SME and E-Glo here but waiting on Umami Red to arrive by this weekend. Apparently the distributor can’t keep up with the demand. And yes, at some point I’ll bring Vida for comparison with E-Glo S.

Did you try Aurorasound VIDA ?

Here's a new one for the list:

https://www.haglabs.com/collections/phono-preamps/products/trumpet-mc-vacuum-tube-phonostage

$999 until end of year. 

Interesting read on this, I've been meaning to update my phono with tubes, but couldn't find an Aesthetix Io, but couldn't find the one I wanted (single power supply and no volume).  I just picked up the Herron that was being spoke of, so thanks for the heads up!

I will reply after I have the opportunity to evaluate the Herron

@jayctoy,

Thanks for the heads up. I have been exploring this segment of the analog chain, so many high performers in my price range.

I was reading up on JE Audio HP10, appears to be a well built phonostage,

http://www.je-audio.com/product-details.php?id=12

There is a zesto phono preamp listed for $2900 on Audiogon 

@mulveling
Or others

Since part of this thread has drifted to the $10k side, have other tried the venerable more recent versions of the Manley Steelhead ? 

Although they rarely surface on the used market, I've seen the Coincident Statement Phono Stage sell close to your price range.

New, they sell for $6,500.

Music Direct sometimes do have open box with good discount.

Sologear the Sutherland 2020 with LPS are great combo, the LPS bring the best out of 2020.The LPS if you have a good power cord it is even better.

Can a phono stage ever break if not dropped or otherwise abused? I doubt it, so whatever one you like best will deliver the best value if used. I was lucky to find a used Sutherland Insight for about 40% below retail. I then added the linear power stage for $350. To get to the $3K range, the next model up is a 20/20 and with its linear power stage would be about $2650 list. Most dealers will give a modest 10-15% discount. Maybe go to the next model up that includes the LPS. Better yet if you can find them used.

The thing I like is that is all he makes/designs. And a very nice guy who will spend time with a customer for support like he did helping me with my LPS upgrade.

I'm interested in hearing a Herron phono stage.  I've had a JC3+ for a few years and have tried a couple others costing quite a bit more.  Neither of these were anywhere as good as the JC3+.  

I'm biased but I'd recommended a K&K Maxxed-Out or Trio used. I've heard the Herron quite a bit on a friend's system and I feel my Trio is more organic. Kevin told me the Trio is 95% of the Maxxed-Out.

My set up is the Marantz tt-15 with an upgraded Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC ☆ ES Moving Iron, going to The Manley Chinook with 4 NOS Telefunken tubes. Using the Marantz 7705 preamp (50% vinyl - 50% movies) then the PS Audio M700 for my front stage, Tekton Electron SE speakers. It is a very sweet sounding set up, big improvement on the Manley Chinook after the Telefunken upgrade. 

@lalitk 

The audition for the JC 3+ will be with a Linn LP12 (not sure of the specs) and a Rega Elicit-R. I am familiar with both so this should be a decent test to get an idea of the JC 3+. It might be a couple of weeks before I will be at the location to add this to my system so as to compare it with my Rega Aria...

RCM Sensor 2 would be a good addition to your list.

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2020/10/18/rcm-sensor-2-mkii-phono-preamplifier-review/

Pass XP15 or 17, if you can find one used, it should be under your budget.

I am hoping to receive the Lux within the next 7-10 days.

@photomax,

Based on what I’ve heard with ZPhono XRM, you will be more than pleased with JC3+. The meticulous dual mono design and low-carbon mild steel partitions isolating the power supplies should yield inky background and lowest noise floor. One thing that impressed me is their on the fly cart adjustments. It is a tweaker’s delight :-)

Please post your feedback at your earliest convenience, thank you!

@mulveling,

Thanks for your kind words. I’ve been a long time admirer of your audio system. I figured just as much to try few phono’s and see which one of these phono pre sounds best in my system.

Please do post your impressions of Hagerman Trumpet MC here. It will be very interesting to learn how Trumpet performs against VAC Renaissance.