Which phono preamps among these three?


1. Manley Chinook Tube phono stage
2. Whest PS.30R
3. Aesthetix Rhea

I picked these three because they are currently available for sale in audiogon, and all three have very good reviews. All three are a bit over my budget at the moment, but I expect to get enough fund in the short future.

I mostly listen to Jazz (50s-60s) and classicals, occasionally pops and rocks. Rhea is more expensive than the other two, but Rhea supports three inputs while the other supports only one input, switchable to MM or MC. The other two cost about the same as used Rhea.

If you are to pick one, which one? For what reason? Is one definitely better than the others? Or, they are pretty much in the same league with different characteristics?
128x128ihcho

Showing 8 responses by ihcho

Thanks for all tips.
I don't mind to know more about other great phono stages at similar price points. The problem is, harder to decide with more to choose from.
I one time listened to Plinius M16P preamp with phono. That phono was exceptionally good. Much better than the phono card that came with BAT VK30. So, I would not mind going for a full function preamp with phono if the phono section is at least as good as Plinius M16P.
Just called Keith and asked about using 0.2mV or lower gain MC cartridges with vtph-2. He said it should be fine. He said that even 0.1mV catridges would work fine without too much noise.
Well, that is a good part.
Then, I found out that the one for sale in Audiogon is no longer available. Well, to be honest, I could not pull the trigger since $2500 is still a bit over my budget and I needed to wait until I sell some of my audio gears.
So far, I've had (and heard extensively) Clear audio micro basic MM/MC, Cary Audio PH-1, Yaqin MS-12B, BAT VK30 with its phono, and NuWave Phono pre phono converter, and Plinius MP16P with its phono. MP16P is by far the best, far better than VK30's phono. Yaqin is pretty close to VK30 phono. PH-1 and Clear audio were less than others. NuWave is very convenient for recording LPs, but I feel other $1000-ish phono pre can do better (it is currently for sale).

Currently I am using SPU Gold, SPU mono, Ortofon SL-20, SL-15E, MC20, and Denon 103R. I also have Ortofon MCA76 and Hashimoto HM3 SUTs for MC cartridges.
So, my experience on phono preamp is quite limited.

My rest systems are: Plinius SA102, CD-LAD preamp, Garrard 301 with two tonearms (Ortofon RMG309/SPU-Gold and AS212/SPU-mono arms), and Clearaudio Bluemotion/other cartridges, and Tyler Linbrook Signature Systems, and Apogee Diva.

K&K Maxxed Out, Fosgate, Herron VTPH-2 all seem to be within my grep (for used with stretch), but used ones of those don't seem to come often for sale.

Allnic 1201 looks appealing too.

I might decide within a couple of weeks.

Again, many thanks for all suggestions.
No particular reason. As I said in my first post, I just picked those three because
1. They are on sale in audiogon
2. They are within my budget (with stretch)
3. They all seem to have very good reviews and followings

So, I might go for any other phono that falls into $1000~2000 with good reputation. Up until 6 months ago I was pretty happy with BAT VK60, VK30 with phono, Yaqin MS-12B, and Budgie Cinemag SUT. Since then my amp has changed to Plinius, and I acquired Hashimoto HM3 SUT. A phono pre that works well with Hashimoto SUT would be a plus.
OK.
When a used Herron VTPH-2 comes up for sale, it would be mine! I cannot afford a new one at the moment.
I wonder if Herron's MC would be bettern than Herron's MM + Hashimoto SUT. Then, I can sell Hashimoto.
I did not know about Atma-Sphere preamps with phono unit. Pardon my ignorance. If its phono section is as good as $2000~$3000 external phono, I might consider it, well, in the future.
Whest RDT SE is over my budget, as is NVO SPA.
Bpoletti, how would rate Herron's MC? Would it be better than Herron's own MM + an external SUT at around $1000, like Bob's device or Hashimoto HM3 SUT? I am particularly interested in x20 and x40 SUT for 0.2mV and 0.1mV MC cartridges.
I wonder if I can try out Herron. If Keith allows it, then I would give a try in the near future.
Thanks.
It looks pretty good a deal.
However, I've realized that its MC only supports medium output MC cartridges (0.5mV ~ 1mV). I have three very low output MC cartridges (Ortofon MC20, SL15e, SL20, which are all under 0.1mV, SPU Gold (0.2mV), and Denon DL103R (0.25mV)). None of those can be used with Herron's MC input. I have an SUT with x20 and x40 gain, so I can still use Herron with the SUT, but I am not sure whether that is what I want to do.
I had VK60 and VK30 with phono card for several years, and I was mostly happy until I had a chance to compare them with Plinius SA102 (which I have now) and Plinius M16P with phono section. Plinius was a clear winner for me, especially M16P's phono was much better than VK30's phono.
I always thought that VK-P5 is not much better than their phono card, maybe I am wrong. So, VK-P5 is not under my radar. I don't have M16P any longer.

I just grabbed Whest PS.20 out of whim since my budget situation is not improving and I didn't want to wait for too long. It is with Plinius CD-LAD and SoundTradition's Live! MC-10 SUT. I feel Whest PS.20 is at least as good as M16P's phono. So, currently I am happy with my system.
I will stay with what I have for a while until next upgrade for a tube phono stage.

Thanks for all comments and suggestions.