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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!

 

signaforce
signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
549 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr Yes, used the Rega 2mm SS shim. The slide in shims would be great for those who swap cartridges. Thanks. 
Once again, I will be following @audphile1 advice & replacing my Hana ML with the Unami blue, so my new phono stage should be selected based upon that cart. 
@bimmerlover Great recommendation, adding the 310LP to my list. Thanks 

@jallan @quincy Thanks

For various reasons, I am down to 3: 

Sutherland Little Loco, Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS, Moon 310LP. I am probably going with the Little Loco mk2. But can be convinced otherwise, as IMHO there are no bad choices here. Thanks 

 

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
549 posts
 

@goodlistening64 I am relatively new to this hobby, so not certain I got your point. You said is having multiple options at the 60db or above is preferable, and of the potential candidates, only Gold Note & Rega satisfies that requirement. 
But my question is why would multiple options be preferable? Is it not just the volume going to my pre being sufficient? My BHK pre ideal volume setting due to its design is 40-60. The 58db Sutherland setting was my plan & would easily provide the output required to drive my pre & minimize SN ratios. 
But maybe I am missing something. 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

No Tubes? I would only consider Tubes.

I would give this serious consideration

https://www.ebay.com/itm/227264275075?mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=8064129e-2606-11f1-b619-373062373937

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,922 posts
 

You won’t regret going with the Umami Blue. Good phono stage and you are set!

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
810 posts
 

Am big fan of Gold Note products. Have had the disscontinued PH-1 in my 3rd system for years now.  Would question AI comment on “complex digital control” of PH-10.  The signal stays completely in analog domain, so that must be referring to the fact that you can choose EQ curves and multiple impedance choices, which strikes me as a plus, not a minus.  Another small format phono stage that gets raves is Modwright PH9.0, which is $3500 new.

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