Hey,
Some of you might have seen my other thread regarding me damaging my SimAudio Moon phono stage and also requesting recommendations on a Tube Phono Stage, so now I had no choice but to get another one.
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.
