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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?

neonknight
kennyc
2,857 posts
 

I picked up a second hand VDH Grail SB because MFremer said the basic Grail was a sleeper bargain and that transimpedience is quieter than voltage phonos.

@dwette The Boulder 2108 is more than a $40k jump so I don’t see that at all in my future.

I can relate. I feel the same way about their 2xxx amps which would be my end game.  I’m hoping that my just purchased second hand Audionet Humboldt will get me there as my stab into top SS Sonics within budget.  

dwette
534 posts
 

@kennyc If I have an unexpected windfall I can see replacing my Naim 252/300 with a Boulder 1110/1163 (or even some 1151 monoblocks) to keep my Boulder 1108 company. Probably not though.

kennyc
2,857 posts
 

Notable phonos (prices not current):

  • 1.6 Tritschler Precision Engineering 2200 phono
  • 1.7 Schiit Stjarna 
  • 1.7 Austin AudioWorks Black Swan- highly adjustable 
  • 2.5 PS Audio Stellar Phono (buy audio magic ultimate beeswax shd fuse $225- big improvements)                                              
  • 3.0 Paradox Phono 70 Signature             
  • 3.3 Belleson Radiance phono 
  • 4.0 Lehmann Decade Jubilee  - Fremer      
  • 4.0 TRON Convergence Signature Phonostage
  • 5.2 Channel D Lino C 3.3 phono               
  • 5.2 Esoteric E-02            
  • 5.8 Grimm Audio PW1 - Fremer bargain
kennyc
2,857 posts
 

High value tube phonos maybe second hand:

  • Coincident Statement Phono
  • Rogers PA-2
kennyc
2,857 posts
 

Crap, now I’m getting the idea to get a tube phono to tube roll, probably lots of fun but weary of going down tube hoarding with my addictive personality.  I’m trying to take the measured approach to play with tubes and the variety of extra tubes for more combinations included in the Decware SE84UFO25 seems ideal, but the 3 year waiting list….

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