Softone Model 4 with some nice NOS Tubes is a ridiculous bargain if the limited gain settings work for you.
High Value Phono Stages
The current phono stage is an Esoteric E-03, which I am quite content with. I have an Origin Live Agile w Transfiguration Proteus on one input and an OG Kiseki Blackheart on an Audiomods 12" Series 6 on the other.
I have a third tonearm, an Audiomods 10.5" Series 6 in the system with a Benz Micro Glider on it going into the onboard phono stage of the Trinov. Which is OK, but not excellent. I have a 4th tonearm that may come into play some day.
So what do you like in good quality phono stages that may not be TOTL pieces. I know the Darlington is a popular answer. Graham Slee often is. Some folks like the SOTA Pyxi.
Thoughts on output devices, topology and so forth are certainly welcome. Not a SUT user so that is not on the table. I have to admit that small format stages are interesting, like the Ray Samuels Nighthawk.
Any thoughts?
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@neonknight I’ve been using a Hegel V10 (~$1500) for several months and am quite pleased with it. Was favorably reviewed by Michael Fremer. My better LPs generally sound better than high-res digital counterparts. I’ve heard from another Hegel V10 user who upgraded from it to a far more expensive unit and didn’t hear much of a difference. I’ve rarely seen used ones for sale, so that suggests other users are also happy with theirs. I suspect the Law of Diminishing Returns applies here as it often does with high-end audio. Also, gear from countries that have nationalized healthcare (Hegel is Norwegian) can provide better value because the companies don't have to include the cost of private-insurance healthcare for their workers in the prices of their products like US companies do. Private-insurance healthcare tends to be far more costly than nationalized healthcare. My cartridge is a Lyra Kleos. |
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