Phonostage for Rega P10


Purchased a Rega P10 and now I'm thinking of upgrading my Rogue Audio Ares phono preamp to the Allnic H-1202.
My understanding regarding the Rega is that its performance is so good, a top shelf phono preamp would serve it well, not that the Rogue is inadequate but I don't have a lot of experience with phono preamps as I've owned only 2 in my life.
Thanks for your feedback.
128x128desalvo55
Then you’d better post Apheta 3 specs, i can’t see even the Output of that cartridge on their site, anyone can comment ???  350μV is 0.35 or what ? 

http://www.rega.co.uk/apheta-3.html

Tracking Pressure 1.9 - 2.00g
Input load impedance 100 ohms
Output impedance 10 ohms
Nominal output voltage 350μV
Channel Balance : ≥ 20μV
Separation : ≥ -29dB

Mass 6g

Key Features :

Iron cross & coil assembly 50% smaller than the original Apheta .
One of the world’s smallest MC generators.
Cutting edge neodymium magnet.
Fine Line profile nude diamond stylus.
High specification fine wire.

Load settings for adjustable MC stages

Impedance -100ohm
Capacitance - 1000pF
Gain setting - High (’On’ position for Rega phono stages)


0,35 mV.
Regular phono cartridge - cross, neodymium magnet. No compliance figures. I am curious which edge can cut neodymium magnet :)
Looking at the OP's phono stages i think it's better to replace a cartridge to something first class, but not the phono stages
Rega P10 with the Apheta 3 sounds first class to my ears. The Ares sounds great mated with the Rega and I could leave well enough alone. 

I can't help feeling that the Rega would benefit from the next level of phonostage. The NVO looks like a winner except with all those tubes, I'd always feel like there's a bad one in there eventually. I have issues...

Not being able to demo puts me in the forum where enlightened ones can chime in. Budget is $5K after I sell some gear. So that puts me in the following territory.

Allnic 1202
Gold Note PH10
Boulder 508
Herron vtph-2a
Pass Labs XP17
Parasound JC3
Audio Note L3 kit (I love building stuff)
I’m using Gold Note PH-10 with PSU-10 in my system, this phono stage is great if you have a lot of cartridges or at least two tonearms/turntables (like myself), you can connect two MC or two MM at the same time, or MC and MM. It is more flexible for LOMC cartridges with all the loading options and gain options.

If you have just 1 cartridge you don’t need a phono stage like Gold Note in my opinion.