Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

@jay73 

Unless you’re buying used the Black Ice Audio Fusion 9 MKIII Tube Phono Preamplifier and Fusion F159 Tube Phono Preamplifier are currently out of production. The Fusion 9 MKIII does not use tubes in the active stages, only in the output where they’re only intended to color the sound before it reaches your line input just like the Vincent mentioned earlier in this thread. 

@technomagus mentions the Pro-Ject which is a legitimate tube phono stage but beware of others in their line that only use tubes in the output stage.

+1 for the Icon Audio with an SUT also there is the PS1 MKII and a Signature version that has Mundorf silver, gold and oil coupling caps, and Genalex Gold Lion 12ax7LPS/B759 tubes.

A couple of you asked why I am turning away from the Pro-Ject Phono Amps.

No hate towards them but for some reason they just don't appeal to me intially.

I have not heard any of them but then I haven't heard any of the others either and it all starts with something that appeals to you.

And I think I am referring to the Tube Phono's from Pro-Ject not their SS line.

I guess I feel that they are not going to provide the same level of performance as other phono amps that have been recommended and if I am going to take a chance on one, it will probably be one of the others that have been recommended.

That's my honest response. Maybe If I get to hear one somewhere and see it up close perhaps I will have a different impression and opinion.

Thanks

I love my tube phono stage in my AR SP9 preamp. 

I don't usually do recommendation, I prefer consider for a audition, where one has the experience first.

Whilst reading about Cart's of a certain design, the merit given to the Phonostage used caught my attention, hence it is now to be seen in the Link.

Even though not referenced in earlier Posts, at the price and the knowing they do do create 'closed won' sales in the US and Canada, the Model is worthwhile learning about.   

https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-106-lab12-melto2-phono-tzar-dst-v1-black-knight-corian-ortofon-2m-black-0

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650220052-lab12-melto2-phono-preamp/

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650219287-lab-12-melto-2-with-amperex-pq-white-label-the-best-gold-pins-tubes-doubles-of-stock-tubes-ottawa-re/

Hey,

Well I guess this is the appropriate place to post this.

Some of you might have seen my other thread regarding me damaging my SimAudio Moon phono stage, so now I had no choice but to get another phono stage.

After much debating and looking around, I came across a lightly used Lab12 Melto 1 on TMR.

Something just drew me to it and I felt like I had to try it out. 

On this thread I requested suggestions on a tube based phono stage and received great options and thanks to everyone for their input.

The Melto 1 is not a pure tube based stage as it is a hybrid but there are a handful of great reviews on it.

I've had it for a week now and have been playing different style of music and so far I am really liking it.

It's all stock. 

On this forum, there are only 2 other members who have used it seems like (from what I found after searching), one did not have a good experience but another did.

I guess I am #3 and I am having a good exprience so far.

I'm not good at describing the audio experience as YT reviewers are with all thier audiophile jargon.

All I can say is that combined with my Hybrid Vincent amp and my MoFi StudioDeck w/Hana SL LOMC, it seems a great pairing.

The music is strong and smooth whether I am listening to Dire Straits, Enya or Billy Joel. I have many more tracks I need to check out.

I don't listen at very high volumes, once in a while if there is a track I really like, I may turn it up a little bit. 

On the turntable, I usually like to listen to tracks that have good vocals and mid-range and this Phono Stage is bringing that in smoothly.

I feel I have a good amount of Tube goodness going on with a touch of SS to keeps things in balance.

I don't see any reason so far that I will be returning this unit (I have 30 days with TMR).

It certainly looks to be like a good well built unit and it has some heft to it.

My only nitpicks is that, it would have been nice to have a power button on the front and it would have been great if Lab12 had designed the chasis in a way that the tubes could have been more visible.

The unit originally came with a nice power cord (Lab12 Knack MK2 Power Cable) but since it is used, it came with a standard power cord.

Interestingly, on TMR they have multiple Knack MK2 Power Cables for sell.

I wonder if maybe they remove those from the unit and sell them separately?

Or the original owner might have kept it, who knows.

I will eventually get a better power cord.

By the way, I sent my SimAudio Moon 110 to SimAudio for eval for repair, I'll see what they say. If I can get it repaired, I would like to.

My next upgrade will probably be an Amp. I feel my system can use a little more juice.

Well, that's all I have for now.