Phonostage recommendations under $3K


Folks,

I am looking to step up from my current Parasound ZPhono XRM (still under 60 days audition trial). To be honest, I am quite pleased with its performance, feature set and flexibility. I mean what else you can expect from a $600 phono. While I enjoyed listening to vinyl through XRM, I feel there is room for improvement and XRM may be the weakest link in my vinyl setup. And since XRM is the only phono I’ve experienced in my setup, I don’t have quite have a reference point. So what else should I be considering under $3K?

I prefer a relaxed and slightly warm sound since I mostly listen to jazz genre.

I started to put together a list list based on sound quality and flexibility with gain and impedance settings.

Parasound JC 3+ Phono Pre
Allnic H-1202
Leben RS30 EQ (requires a SUT for MC Cart)

I hear high praises on Herron VTPH-2A but it’s bit more than I would like to spend at this time.

My current vinyl setup, Thorens TD1601, ZPhono XRM, Hana ML (low output - 0.4mv), Accuphase E-650 and Tannoy Canterbury’s.

I would really appreciate some recommendations based on your personal experiences. Thank you!
128x128lalitk
I own both the Herron VTPH2A and the Parasound JC3 Jr.    Honestly, you’d probably be happy with both but the Herron is one of my favorites.
Used VTPH-2A

Good luck. When my search was narrowed down to a few contenders I started looking at used. Never did see a Herron for sale. Saw one that had sold the day it was listed and before I started looking. Then kept looking a good 6 months after deciding it would be the Herron. (I buy components, not deals.) In 6 months I saw zero listed but two times people had them listed as WANTED.  

Its actually one of the things I have noticed having done this a long time. If you think you've found the best highest value component and they're on the used market, keep looking. Its not nearly as good as you think. Or nobody would be selling, and there would be way more buyers than sellers so they would be snapped up fast. Everyone has an opinion. Only one counts: Mr Market's. 

Keith Herron by the way, unless you live near one of his dealers, he gives a small discount. 10% I think. But they sell used for near that anyway. So when Keith told me I'm far enough from a dealer to qualify I said, "Sold!"

I’d look very strongly at the new just released Hagerman Trumpet MC for only $1K. Previous versions of the Trumpet sold from $2K to $7K - it seems Jim has really focused on getting the cost down while keeping that level of sound quality. I used to own the old wooden faced “tower” Trumpet, and it was lovely at $2.2K+. At 1K it would be a stone cold steal. I currently own a Rogue Ares Magnum, Herron VTPH-2A, Sonic Frontiers Phono 1SE+, and VAC Renaissance SE (the VAC is far and away tops in both price and sound quality), but I kinda want to buy the new Trumpet to play with too!
Aural Thrills Serenade at $1200 or their absolute best 'the Beast' at $2500 with the best parts used.  The Serenade was the Absolute Sound's s Product of the Year a couple years ago.  The Beast is a very large and even better sounding unit.  Tom Kenny is the designer and has Benn building phono preamps while trying various parts, wires, etc. for over 10 years.  

Bob