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Should I buy a Phono Stage from Hovland $1700 ?

I am tossing around wheather or not I should buy a new phono stage for my HP-100 line stage for $1700, or should I buy a seperate deal. I like buying used gear. I have VTL MB 750's I got for $7300, they were 2.5 years old. I got my HP-100 line stage for $3000 and it was 1 year old. My logic is that if I am going to unload $1700 for a phono stage, I could buy a seperate that retails for about $3000, for $1700 used, and if that's the case, can I obtain a better phono stage with $1700 in the used market? If you guys say, the hovland phono stage is just as good as any that retail for $3000, I 'll just order one from Hovland and install it myself.
Thanks
Rich
128x128richdeben
4 responses Add your response
jeffb28451
129 posts
 
Richbeden:

I've got that setup and I believe it's just a Jensen (type) transformer. I've been looking for a step up of some type since I got it, mainly for the same reason...it's an okay item, but compared to what I can get on agon... Okay, so I got the whole deal for $3400, which made it "REAL NICE", but it's a phono that tends to be sort of samey-samey and I've used VDH, BENZ and Dynavector...capable, but homogenous, you know.

How about we look at it like this...I got a real good $400 phono stage, with a $3000 line stage, and I'm still looking.

Jeffb28451
cohnaudio
28 posts
 
I have the Hovland HP 100 with the phono stage. It is generally quite good, but it is a bit noisy and less immediate than others out there sold separately. I A/B the Hovland against the Tom Evans Groove, which I purchased used for about $1,700, and the Groove really showed the Hovland's weaknesses - i.e., not as immediate or transparent.
troutfishing
21 posts
 
Noise is a problem with the Hovland, mine was even serviced and was still noisy
richdeben's avatar
richdeben OP
12 posts
 
Thanks guys. I won't do anything at this point because I know nothing about this stuff./ I have just a $300 Music Hall MMF 2.5 I believe. I just wanted to be able to plae the darned thing. I think I would rather have a seperate piece anyway because I caould get some , if not all of my $$$ out of a nice used piece.
Thanks
Rich
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