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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?

audphile1
audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
7,859 posts
 

@cooperdude6 where do you get that idea bud? I’m trying to make it sound right. Which it does with the MP100. I know in most case it won’t match my digital front end. It’s not the objective and not the point. Sounding wrong and sounding not as good as my digital front end is two different things. You’re confused. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
7,859 posts
 

@lewm not sure about boulder balanced in. But I think you nailed it with the adapters. No bueno. 
 

Whest is in. But I got some things to finish up around the house before I get to it. Initial impressions of this phono stage to follow…

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,174 posts
 

@audphile1 

Listen to Whest and hopefully you like the way it sounds in your system. As I mentioned before, I can send you my RCA ➡️ XLR Purist Audio IC’s to try it out with Sutherland. In all seriousness, you need a phono with true balanced output to take advantage of Boulder balanced circuitry.  Perhaps a Boulder 508 down the road and you’re done! 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
7,859 posts
 

Just connected it. Letting it warm up. No time to listen yet. First few notes sounded good and I walked away. 
 

Here’s an excerpt from Whest:

Balanced outputs

The whestTWO.2 comes as standard fitted with true balanced outputs which are fed from the output of the Class-A stage. While most manufacturers are content with using a 2.00 EUR/ $2.00

IC chip to perform the balancing process and degrading the minute signal in the process, the

whestTWO.2 processes the balanced signal exactly like many high-end microphones and mixing

desks…this means a perfect balanced feed if you are using long signal lines

I will add that my objective is get to a level where things sound correct and I’m enjoying playing records. I will report back shortly!

cooperdude6
80 posts
 

Ok so you have had a few suggestions. Here is another:. Look at the selection of used phono amps at The Music Room (tmraudio.com). They are a big reseller that certifies their gear and sell here on Audiogon as well as EBAY and their website. They have very knowledgeable staff and currently have 44 phono pre-amps listed for under $2K, including an Ayre, a Pass Labs & PS Audio, etc. with balanced outs. A 30 day trial will get you headed in the right direction.

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