This may be premature, but I just got the K & K assembled, and it is incredible right off the bat. I can't believe how good it is!! I should probably have waited and done more listening but this is really floating my boat. |
THank you all for your enthusiastic responses!!!
I take all your responses serious. But want to reiterate that I was hoping to see more of a one prize-winner that outshone all others. HERE is an example: mbl 101es. They by far sound more life-like than any other speaker at the shows I visited. If consumer grade stereo electronics score a 60 and high end audio spoken of here on audiogon score a 90 than mbl scores a 110 IMHO. Forgive me if I praise the mbl's without mentioning the other topguns that deserve to be mentioned. I am sure there are others which I am not aware of that approach the caliber of mbl but that can be saved for another thread. Thanks again. |
Just out of curiosity has anyone taken the EAR 834p to the top, or anyone heard one in a system?
I am still relatively new to analog and am exploring the potential of the Paravicini design. I just recently changed the tubes in the 834p phono stage and can cannot believe how good my system sounds!!!
I am wondering if batteries run through a step up transformer can be used to power the EAR 834p? Or at the very least take the power supply out and install in a separate chassis. |
Just to clarify things a bit.
In most cases if a phono stage has been around for a while and shows up frequently used on a-gon for $2k or around there it falls into the less expensive group, the new phono stages that retail for the same around $2k they also end up in the budget group.
Some phono stages must certainly stand out as much better than others, but I'll let the experienced chime in, and eventually create an "a+" list in both price groups.
Some reference was made towards the cole, a kit (from Japan?) stating it as an over achiever. Anyone with experience on the cole?
Also those who have owned several phono stages and haven't chimed in, any worthy notes on comparisons?
Here are some that have been mentioned on gon and will be add to the lists : Quicksilver, ZYX Artisan, Quad QC-24P, Jadis JPP-200, Joule, Audio Horizons, Modwright SWP-9.0Se, Whest PS.30R, EAR 88pb, Martinson(whatever happened to this phono?), Malvalve, Evans Microgroove, Clearaudio Basis Plus, Accu Plus, Aqvox 2.
Just want to reiterate, this is not the end all list. So many other parts of our systems influence the sound we get. We all have different setups and room acoustics too and taste.
The main purpose of this list is to include stages that can offer great value at their price points. We all can't afford the exotics, therefore I included lesser expensive stages that still stir our souls. Then there are those brands with small advertisement budgets or are too new to be well known. Face it we have so many companies some are a one man show that are producing excellent electronics for music enjoyment. Unfortunately I have not heard most of those listed here, though I am working on it, give me a few decades. Another reason for this compilation is to put the names of phono stages on the map, into one list to get an idea of the variety. Eventually there will be two tier list in each price catagory. |
Here is a list of phono stages mentioned above:
Thor Cantatus or 3000
Atma-Sphere MP-1
Audio Research PH7
Aesthetix IO
Conrad Johnson TEA-1
CAT SL-1
Manley Steelhead
BAT VK-P10SE
Walker Audio Reference
Aesthetix Io Signature
ASR Basis Exclusive
Einstein- The Turntable's Choice
Air Tight ATE-2
Boulder 2008
Lyra Connosuer
Wavestream Kinetics
Viva
Zanden 1200
Vendetta Research
Clear Audio Balance Reference
Boulder 2008
Shindo
Tron
Klyne
Wavac
Nagra PL-P
ASR Basis Exclusive
Zanden
Raul's Essential 3150 Phono line Preamp
Sentec EQ-10
Nick Doshi's Alaap
==================
Any others?
?? Fm Acoustics, Dartzeel, Tom Evan's, Lamm, Supratek, VAC Renaissance, Art Audio, Syrah, ZYX, Rowland,
For those on a budget the stand out phono stages for their price point could include these:
Hagerman Trumpet
Ear 834p Modified
Jlti
Graham slee era gold V
K&K Kit
Sutherland
Nova Phenomena
Simaudio LP 5.3
Audio research ph3 or 5
PS Audio GCPH
Eastern Electric
Tom Evans Groove
Acoustech
Sutherland PH.D
George Wright
Simaudio LP 5.3
Conrad Johnson Premier-15
Artemis Labs
Pass Labs Xono
Art audio
Herron VTPH-1
Cary ph302
WhestPS.20
Pass Aleph
H-Cat
============================
For those analog philes in it for a while it is well known that synergy plays a big role, e.g. cartridge to stage tonearm to cartridge, hence all the different responses. This list was compiled mainly to include the names of excellent players that may have otherwise been missed due to the rarity of the product or little advertisement since it is a niche market.
Feel free to contribute. |
Mainiac,
Yes the groups were formed based on price.
There are a couple in the less expensive group that may belong in the top notch group though. |
Piedpiper,
Regarding the doubles strictly a typo.
Would like to hear from goners who had the pleasure of owning some of these great phono stages, what were the phono stages that stayed and which were let go. And associated gear? |
Here is a list of phono stages mentioned above:
Aesthetix IO
Air Tight ATE-2
Nick Doshi's Alaap
Art Audio
ASR Basis Exclusive
Atma-Sphere MP-1
Audio Research PH7
BAT VK-P10SE
Boulder 2008
CAT SL-1
Clear Audio Balance Reference
Conrad Johnson TEA-1
Einstein- The Turntable's Choice
Raul's Essential 3150 Phono line Preamp
Klyne
kondo audio note m7 or m-1000 mkII
Lamm lp2
Lyra Connosuer
Manley Steelhead
Nagra PL-P
Sentec EQ-10
Shindo
Thor Cantatus or 3000
Tron
Vendetta Research
Viva
Walker Audio Reference
Wavac
Wavestream Kinetics
Zanden 1200
==================
Any others?
?? Fm Acoustics, Dartzeel, Supratek, Syrah, ZYX, Rowland,
For those on a budget the stand out phono stages for their price point could include these:
Acoustech
Art audio
Artemis Labs
Audio research ph3 or 5
Cary ph302
Conrad Johnson Premier-15
Ear 834p Modified
Eastern Electric mini max
Tom Evans Groove
Graham slee era gold V
Hagerman Trumpet
H-Cat
Heed
Herron VTPH-1
Herron VTPH-1
Jlti
K&K Kit
Nova Phenomena
Pass Labs Xono Pass Aleph
PS Audio GCPH
Simaudio LP 5.3
Sutherland
WhestPS.20
George Wright
VAC Ren Mk2
============================
For those analog philes in it for a while it is well known that synergy plays a big role, e.g. cartridge to stage tonearm to cartridge, hence all the different responses. This list was compiled mainly to include the names of excellent players that may have otherwise been missed due to the rarity of the product or little advertisement since it is a niche market.
Feel free to contribute. |
Sirspeedy,
I totally agree with you! My system is no where near 6 figures and I think it beats the pants off many of the city's demo setups.
And especailly now as I just got he oppo 980 and highly recommend it.
I also bought the K & K phono stage which so far I think is an excellent phono maybe better than the ear 834p and jlti.
Also thanks for the informative description on your experience. |
Thank you all for your insightful responses.
I am starting to realize the K & K is in a higher league than my other phono stages. It is bringing about a sweet sound and also a beautiful clear effortless treble that I was always hoping to hear from my high end system. I just may be there! Also doesn't seem to incur listener fatigue. |
Clio09,
You don't have to rub it in;~)
You have my attention now! Any stock tips? |
The K&K has it all, imaging, bass & treble extension. And it's non-fatiguing. |
Any Aqvox owners out there? |
Would like to see this thread come alive again.
I heard good things about the arc ph7, any comments??
Also the steelhead II has my friend's attention, so much so that he'll be buying one soon, any comments?? |
JLTI, with a new preamp this phono stage has the opportunity to shine. Works well with calypso. |
I am intrigued about the statement made regarding the coincident, I would like to hear more about this stage. Anyone else hear it???? Comments. |
