No one has mentioned Hagerman Trumpet! I own one, it's tubed,plenty flexibility but no XLR! Priced reasonable!
Phono Stage with XLR outs
Taking another stab at vinyl after about a year break. Not going too fancy but would like a phono stage with both RCA and XLR outputs. My amp, Boulder 866, only accepts XLR. I do have a set of Cardas adapters but thinking to do it right.
Budget - under $1500 used or new.
Table - Clearaudio Concept with Hana ML moving coil cartridge.
Not trying to compete with my Meitner MA3i digital front end. Just looking for good natural presentation.
Contenders - Pro-Ject DS3 B, Black Ice Audio Fusion, McIntosh MP100
Any other candidates that I should consider?
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- 128 posts total
OP, since you are leaning towards a warmer sounding/tube presentation, this might not be your cup of tea BUT I've been down this journey and have seen how deep the rabbit hole can get. I ended up buying the Micheal Fidler MC Pro phonostage, which falls well within your budget. It is not tubed but offers RCA and XLR outputs. If noise and distortion matters to you, you won't find any on his phonostages. They are the best measured phonostages you will encounter. The guy is a true genius. Michael has shifted his attention to MM phonostages but I believe he might have MC options available in his Spartan series. You will be hard pressed to find anything but stellar reviews on ALL his phonostages. It is the only gear he builds. I have mine paired with a Michell Orbe SE turntable, Kiseki Purple Heart LOMC cartridge which runs through a Benchmark LA4 preamp (very transparent with vanishingly low noise and distortion) into Audio Research monoblocks which gives me the tube smoothness. I can't be happier. Google "Michael Fidler MC Pro" to find his website and take the time to read his extensive interpretations on his design philosophy. Also, take the time to click on the many reviews posted on his website for his phonostages. |
@ohmywatt I just googled it and visited their website. The phono amp you’re referring to has been discontinued. As I mentioned above, I have a Whest Two.2 inbound. Should be receiving it today. |
- 128 posts total