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Tube MC phono stage recommendation

I've been enjoying my Bottlehead Eros phono for some time now and after a good bit of tube rolling I think sounds pretty great. However, it's gain is a bit limited for running MC cartridges and when I've tried in the past it forces me to crank up the system and with that comes lots of noise. I'm sure a SS MC phono would be the quietest option but I love the quality of sound and the tweakability offered by tubes. 

Let me know if you have a tube phono (new or used) that you would recommend. I would be interested in anything under $1,500 (ideally a lot under ;).

Thanks! 
designtaylor
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
49 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions! Some really fun items to research. 

I did end up going with a Cinemag based SUT built by Ned Clayton and a Dennon DL-301ii. Everything is sounding great but I did need to swap some tubes in the Eros. Apparently, in my pre-MC quest for more detail and clarity, I had biased the system a little lean and needed to warm and soften it a bit after installing the 301. 
elader
13 posts
 
Hey Taylor

I also have a cinemag 1254 built by Ned. A great value and very well done. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
49 posts
 
elader - indeed! Really happy with his work and how it fits into my system. 
lohanimal
659 posts
 
check this out
https://tron-electric.co.uk/convergence/convergence-phono-stage/

very good
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