Just my two cents, but I have spent and partially lost big money on two current driven phono stages that got rave reviews, and I ended up selling them both. Neither lived up to any of my 3 conventional voltage gain phono stages, and furthermore, current drive limits you to using LOMC cartridges. I found the current driven stages to be "electronic" or "transistory" sounding, in the old sense of those words before SS got so good as it can be now. Plus, surprisingly, with really very low output cartridges there was a faint hiss I could not tolerate. Neither of the two units I auditioned is made by Sutherland.
Phono Stage
I am getting near the end of my current system journey. I have my digital (streaming) side set (for now). It sounds glorious to my old hearing aid assisted ears. And streaming is where I spend the vast majority of my listening.
Regardless, I am now focusing on vinyl, with the recent addition of a P8.
My analog side: Rega P8 w/ Hana ML > Rega Aria > Kimber KS1018 > BHK pre > Zavfino Fusion mk2 > Moon 330A > Transparent + > KEF Ref 3’s. If do a weak link analysis both chatGPT & Gemini say it my phono stage.
So looking for potential replacements. As always I am very space constrained, (half wides are perfect) no tubes and looking to stay under $3,000 used. I like accuracy, clarity & cleanliness.
My current candidates:
Rega AOS
Gold Note PH10
Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Sutherland Little Loco
The Sutherland’s work because they are thin and con fit under my raised center channel speaker. The duo stack is too high
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
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- 96 posts total
- 96 posts total