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
@signaforce your listening habits will change no matter what you upgrade, cartridge or phono stage or both (which is most likely what will happen). You’ll be going thru your collection playing your favorite albums, as well as buying new vinyl of albums you enjoy on streaming. I’m almost100% certain of this. BTW I followed your footsteps and picked up KS1116. Love them! They’re a much better version of Carbons that are already really good. Great sound, very engaging and never cross the line to become analytical. They’re still settling on DAC but I’m pretty sure they’ll be staying. |
@audphile1 Your probably correct… we shall see. Enjoy your new KS1116’s! I always follow in yours. Nice. |
Thanks @signaforce ! |
I completely agree with your statement. In my experience, the MM stage outperforms the MC stage in phono stages that offer both, especially in terms of noise. A properly sited SUT effectively negates that problem. Which raises the option of purchasing at the outset a phono stage optimized for MM only, likely to be noticeably less expensive than a MM/MC unit. |
- 96 posts total