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Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

Hey,

Lately I been getting the itch to try a tube phono stage.

So, I wanted to reach out to get some recommendations.

Budget would be $2K or lower.

I am aware of the following that usually get good reviews and recommendations:

- Hagerman Trumpet MC
- Decware ZP3 (Looks like a real hardcore tube phono stage)
- Tavish (although not sure if they are producing at the moment)
- Black Ice Audio
- Schiit STJARNA
 

These are some that I am not really considering:

- Pro-Ject
- EAT
 

Any others that can be recommended that maybe I am not aware of?

Thanks

jay73
porchlight1's avatar
porchlight1
95 posts
 

If you really want the magic of tubes, investigate the Sunvalley EQ1616D phono stage.  All tube, including a tube rectifier in the power supply.  Passive equalization stage.  It’s designed for tube rolling if you’re into that. It does include a FET head amp for the extra gain for moving coil cartridges. Extremely versatile with variable EQ curves, adjustable gain, and a mono switch. Bought assembled, it just meets your budget but build it yourself and it’s about half the price. 

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,476 posts
 

Find a used K&K Audio phono preamplifier.

lewm
14,659 posts
 

What Slaw said.

 

 

Post removed 
elliottbnewcombjr
7,720 posts
 

I cannot comment on your list, except:

My friend has a Hagerman Cornet II MM Tube Phono, I highly recommend it. I have heard it here in my system and at his home in his system. 

My Phono is MM Tubes in a Vintage Tube preamp, and I use a SUT as needed to boost weak LOMC enough to continue using my MM Tube phono.

I pay attention to the recommended Impedance for various cartridges, I just helped a friend straighten out the jumpers on his confusing phono stage, it made an 'oh boy, now you're talkin' difference.

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