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

Look for a used NVO (New Valve Order) hand built in Cyprus. I've been using one for 7+ yrs and just super musical. There's a newer version out so might find one on the used market at the OP price. 

The Chinook is a fantastic option.  I recently upgraded mine to a Steelhead which is undeniably much better but for an entry level tube phonostage Manley Chinook is hard to beat.  Infinitely adjustable and easy to tube roll. 

@jay73 

look into a Sun valley Audio SV-EQ1616D 

I heard a demo in a show, and it allows the user flexibility in tuning the users Phono cartridge to the phono preamp. Certain Stereophile reviewer have this model as their reference phono pre-amps. I know that in discussion, it was offered as a "kit" but Victor Chung of vkmusic can have this built for you at a reasonable cost. 

its available at vkmusic.ca

at higher price points, I will suggest the Chinook or the Zesto spirit. but look first at the Sun valley Phono pre-amps.

 

 

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations so far!

I am looking through them all.

I did have another question since we are on the topic of Phono Preamps and I did not want to create a whole new thrread.

At the moment, I have a Sim Audio Moon 110lp v2 phono preamp.

Another thing that  I have been thinking about is perhaps adding a LPS to it, like a Sbooster or Ifi Power Elite.

Any thoughts on that?

If there are any improvements, do you think it would be worth it?

Thanks