Whest Audio PS.30RDT Special Edition

I’m listening to Bill Evans “You Must Believe In Spring” (Craft Recordings, 45 RPM) as I type this, and my initial assessment stands. It’s gotten slightly warmer maybe in the last 60 something hours. But this record is perfect for gauging timbral accuracy if instruments. Piano is usually difficult to record and reproduce. It has just the right amount of presence and each note has weight harmonic overtones. Cymbals have brass metallic shimmer. Bass is textured and natural. 

It is so quiet and clean that it might give off an impression that a CD is playing. But that’s just from the noise level perspective. Nothing digital or electronic in its sound. 
Not trying to justify my purchase. Just relaying what I’m hearing. 

From Whest Audio site…

Whest Audio PS.30RDT Special Edition phono stage has been fully remanufactured to an entirely new specification — and it is better than it has ever been. This is not a vintage reissue or a refurbished unit: every PS.30RDT SE is a brand-new buildincorporating Whest Audio’s latest circuit advancements, including the 2025 ZDF circuit, 40-series wiring loom, 40-series output stage biasing, and 40-series chassis.
 

@mard it’s very possible my new 30 sounds nothing like your 10 year old one. 

I don’t know what your gear is. Usually, the gain and loading in phono preamp is all you need. Once you set them correctly, you are good to go.   Some cartridges may benefit from slightly different dail.   Here are some Gain guidelines for Whest 30RDT SE:

- For Cartridges, 0.18mV to 0.3mV: set gain to: 65dB.
- for Cartridges 0.4mV to 0.6mV: set gain to: 60dB.
- for cartridges, 0.7dB to 1.5mV: set gain to: 55dB.

But listen first in case these settings overload your preamp. IF you find that it sounds distorted, then drop the gain setting from 65dB to 60dB, for example.

For load: set according to manufacturer’s recommendation.

Not sure about synergy’s importance, these phonos are universal.

W is a very small company with a very high price tag.  Not many lab tests except a few and they show a failure design.   We did find some imperfections in the hardware build-up. Some of these have great concern.   Many consider its design at an amateur level.

I suggest trying a reputable/reliable company, such as Pro-Ject or Cambridge.   Many consider Pro-Ject to be a benchmark reference sound for all Phonos.   A popular example: Phono Box SEII (2009).   You could try checking out the Vinyl Engine forum, very dedicated.

@mard I had Pro-Ject tube phono, It’s not even close. 
McIntosh MP100 is a great phono. One of my favorite. It’s similar to my 30 but is not as quiet and not as fast/dynamic. The highly praised Lab12 Melto2 is not on the same level as the Whest 30 despite being more expensive. 
 

If lack of publication of measurements you can read impact your assessment of the Whest phono stages and alter your perception of sound, which I hope isn’t the csse but brain can trick you, then I understand. I measure quality of presentation with my ears. I can’t hear 0.001% difference in most specs. And I am sure the 30, if it was measured by some publication, would fair very well. 

As to settings and gear…

James set the 30 to work with my Umami Blue at least to provide a good starting point - 100ohm, 65db. The Blue is 0.4mv

VPI Prime X -> Kimber Carbon phono cables -> Whest 30 -> Kimber Carbon XLR -> Boulder 866 -> Audience FtontRow sp cables -> Wilson Sabrina

Power cables are Kimber PK14 Ascent on phono and PK10 Ascent on amp 

My digital front end is Meitner MA3i. So the bar on sound reproduction is set fairly high.