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Developing A Short List For A Phono Stage

Current phono stages are a Esoteric E-03 that has a Transfiguration Audio Proteus and Kiseki Blackheart Gen 1 going into it. Second phono stage is a deluxe Pete Millet with a HO Benz Micro Glider going into it. 

I have a Denon DP75 and DP80 getting ready to be used. One cartridge is a Sumiko Blackbird Lo, the second one is not picket out yet, but will be a LOMC most likely. 

My preamp has only one set of XLR inputs available now. 

So the phono stage should have 2 inputs, and XLR outputs.

I do not mind shopping the used market. I need a quality phono stage, but does not need to be a flagship model, as these two tables are nice but not my reference ones. Well the DP80 could be one once done, so maybe I rebalance the system after that. 

 

Have any candidates that meet these parameters? 

neonknight
dwette
549 posts
 

I suspect this is well out of budget, but I'll mention it anyway.

I have a Boulder 1108 phono-stage. It has two balanced phono inputs, each configured independently, and two balanced outputs. One can use single ended adapters if necessary on either inputs or outputs (I use on the outputs for my single-ended preamp).

kennyc
2,979 posts
 

@neonknight , any preference for SS vs tube phono? Budget?

grk
290 posts
 

The Moon River 505 or

https://www.dedicatedaudio.com/products/luxman-e-07-phono-amplifier-review-sample?variant=51156122763581&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-01-30&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17518442552&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoMXQBhDcARIsAH-eEtuuGIYNdCX-nJvF1aPrbPMJIuhsfSBLkGM_LT9UYnloghVrAf82RVoaAkL4EALw_wcB

 

I own the MR 505 and it sounds wonderful!  A definite cut above the Luxman EQ-500 that I also owned. Haven't heard the newest Luxman though, but it has received very favorable reviews.

elliottbnewcombjr
7,807 posts
 

@neonknight 

I went the SUT solution, Fidelity Research FRT-4, not only 3 inputs, front selectable, also PASS for MM, and 4 impedance/transformer settings. Captive RCA out, not XLR. Zero Noise.

3/10/30/100 ohms face designations (i.e. the coil's impedance)

resultant impedances: 37/110/141/423

Respective X Factors (signal gain): 35.84x/20.68x/18.27x/10.55x.

 

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11318

Entre has a similar more modern SUT with 3 inputs. ET 100. Usually a few for sale on hifishark, none now oddly.

 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,807 posts
 

Just to solve 'only XLR available', for a captive rca cable I have tried RCA/XLR adapters. They worked, noise free. If RCA jacks out, they make rca/xlr cables.

Others can tell you more, but you lose the potential higher signal strength 'real' xlr might have, and the special grounding/protection features of XLR, which we really don't need in our residential setups with short runs.

I do like that most XLR connectors lock in place.

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