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

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

Have the Hagerman. Great phono pre. My only suggestion is to upgrade the power supply before you spend a bunch of money on better tubes. The PS makes a WAY bigger difference in the sound.