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Upgrade from my internal Primaluna phono stage... Audio Alchemy PPA-1? What else?

So I am currently using the built in phono stage in my Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated (along with an Audio Interface CTS-80 SUT). The other gear is a VPI Classic 2 w/ 3D arm, Dynavector DV20X w/ Soundsmith Ruby retip, Devore Gibbon Super 8s. Musical taste is all over the place but is generally 60's to 80's underground rock, soul/funk, jazz, reggae. Not really any Classical or much modern stuff.

The Primaluna phono stage is better than I thought it might be but not sure just how good as I haven't heard this amp with anything else. Can't really tell how far I need to go to get a noticeable improvement. Can't really spend more than $1k if that (really should be less), but am happy to buy used gear.

Anyone else have the Primaluna phono board and upgraded? How much better can I do for under $1k?
Been scanning the ads here and the other usual places and doing plenty of research but I just keep going in circles. Too many options and no clear winner. Hopefully you guys can help narrow things down with experience with some of the same particular gear I am using.

I like tubes but don't feel it is 100% necessary as I have tubes in the rest of the path. I like the idea of MC capable especially with loading options but I have a quality SUT so it is also not necessary. A small chassis is nice as space is limited but a full size component is ok if it isn't too tall. No space for some big Audio Research type piece of gear. I am in NYC and in a 100 year old house with some wacky wiring so a good power supply and noise rejection is a plus, too.

I am Intrigued by the Audio Alchemy PPA-1 since Audio Advisor has them on sale for $799 ($1795 MSRP) but there is surprisingly little info on them out there beyond a positive Michael Fremer review and some other passing mentions which are also all positive. Seems odd for something that appears to have been out for a couple years now. Anyone actually have one or at least heard it? What else should I be looking at?










delay1968
soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
I did quite a lot of comparisons last year with phono stages.  I have a PL HP Integrated.  I definitely agree that a tube phono stage is the way to go.  I had a JD9 for quite a while, but ultimately found it to be a little too noisy.  I had a ProJect PhonoBox RS that I really liked for about 6 months.  When I picked that one, I tried several other SS phono stages, and also the ProJect TubeBox DS.  The DS I liked too, but chose the RS. 

After living with the RS, I ended up taking the big plunge and got a Manley Chinook.  The difference is really surprising, and I'm sticking with this one for the long term.  I know it's over your budget, and I'm not trying to convince you to spend more money.  But, I am saying I would definitely stick with a tube phono stage, based on my experience.  

And, for the record, the step from JD9 to TubeBox DS is a good step, but the step to Manley was really significant.  Major improvement. 
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
709 posts
 
I have a Norwegian Mystere IA-11 EL34 integrated amp. It is designed by Prima Luna (their sister company) and built to the same incredibly high standards of workmanship and uses PL's adaptive auto-bias circuitry. I have it matched to the Schiit Mani phono preamp and find the combination quite amazing. The Mani is dynamic, rhythmic, and detailed and compliments the Mystere which is quite a quick paced and detailed sounding amp. The combination does not have that romantic lush vintage tube sound, but a very modern sound. I love the combo.
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bobdg2000
12 posts
 
Just stumbled across this thread. Did you make a decision delay? 

I just wanted to say I LOVE my PPA-1 & PS-5 power supply. I had a Sutherland Insight prior and I like the AA more. It is DEAD quiet and sounds like it fits all the requirements you're asking for: cool, relatively small, two inputs, good power supply.

When I purchased mine, the PS-5 wasn't in stock, so I had to wait a couple of weeks for it. It actually worked out nice because once it arrived, I was really able to hear its effect!

Audio Advisor does get them off & on, and they offer the 30-day trial as well just in case.

Thumbs up for the AA here....
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