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Stand out phono stages

This topic has been started before by others and myself as well, maybe too many times, but it is worth revisiting since the source is so very important!
So far I have had the pleasure to enjoy two worthy phono stages: the EAR 834p and the JLTI.
I have to admit they are spectacular. Obviously the record and all the equipment downstream play a role in the sound heard. In some cases I prefer the JLTI and in other cases the EAR. But neither out do the other dramatically.
What phono preamps outshine others by a big margin, those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed.
pedrillo

Showing 2 responses by patrickamory

patrickamory
193 posts
 
I'm kind of amazed not to see any Shindo mentioned here... perhaps because there is no standalone phonostage in the line (though one is rumored to be in production).

Shindo's phono sections are built into his full-function preamps, old-style, and are stunning. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
patrickamory
193 posts
 
Sirspeedy - on that note, if someone wants to experiment with a high-quality tubed phonostage with adjustable EQ (and more flexibility than the Zanden), have a look at the Sentec EQ-10.

I just got one of these and have been having a blast playing around with it. Many of the curve possibilites are applicable mainly to 78s of course, but many are for early mono LPs. And yes, it does transform early Columbias! We're talking EARLY Columbias though... the blue-label ones. By the time you get to six-eye, they were using RIAA.

I'm very curious about the small European labels though... early Discophiles Francais, Erato, Hispa Vox etc. There is very little info online about what curves these labels used. I'd be very interested if anyone here could fill me in.
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