Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2

The phonostage should really depend on the cartridge. If you are using a low output MC, then there are few better than EMT 128, particularly if you are using an EMT cartridge. Other suggestions are CS Port C3 EQM 2, if you would like a tube sound.

@laoman 

Thanks for the recommendations, but both the CS Port C2 EQM 2 and the EMT 128 (both of which are but phono stages, and look like high quahily products) only have one input.  With my two tonearms, I would prefer a phono stage with two inputs. 

@lewm 

Interesting insight about the Manley Steelhead.  I assume that you have replaced some of the capacitors in your unit?  Who would I send my unit to if I were interested in "upgrading" the Manley Steelhead with new/different capacitors?  
Thanks. 

Dear @drbond : I’m a MUSIC lover and normally I listen to classic and Jazz/Blues recordings. I don’t play any instrument and my prefered reacording instrument is piano but I listen everykind of classic scores and I like too some type of Opera scores too.

Now, time to time I listen old rock recordings of the .Presley and B.Haley times or disco Music recording from the 70’s-80’s that some of us danced in the discoteques of those times. Btw, these kind of disco music listened at average 95db SPL with peaks around 105db SPL is way demanding and a ytrue tests that only a few system can do it in the rigth way with out compresión or any kind of " colapse ".Several of these type of recordings ( that mainly came in single 33rpm or 45rpm from Italy, England and Germany. ) can sounds really agressive and way ( sometimes. ) strident in almost all system but the really good ones. As I said a " tourtuose " test for any room/system as is the Telarc 1812 at those SPL. No, I don't listen at that SPL. Normally I listen at around 82db at seat position, sometimes even lower.

In the last 30 years I attend every week to listen the seasons of different classic Orchestras and twice a week ( obviously not during Covid. ) to Jazz/Blues clubs and eventually to big events when comes groups as Eagles, Foreigner and the like.

Yes, I always try to be seated at near field position but in the big " rock " live concerts. We have to take care our valuable ears.

R.

drbond, You might talk to Dave Slagle at Intact Audio. He is also associated with EMIA. I could talk to him about the Steelhead phono and line output stages on your behalf. Dave may even have some better ideas, since his knowledge is much deeper and wider than mine. He certainly has the capability to do more than I would dare to do.

I think we get caught up with fancy chassis’ and high prices which sometimes tends to make us forget that all of these devices are made of pretty much the same components: Wires, resistors, capacitors, etc. I think of them as malleable to suit my own preferences. Good circuit design is not the exclusive province of the ultra high priced segment.