Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

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.