Conrad Johnson Art Phono is the best I have ever heard, tube or otherwise. The CH Precision P1 was with me for a year too and I have to say it was a tough choice. I have not heard their P10, which replaced it and is better, so you also should consider it. You did say you wanted to consider only the best ones. Everything else is a pretender.
End Game Phono Preamp (tube)
Before you say ALLNIC a few caveats - I will only be using one TT so only need one input (MC). ALLNIC has up to 4 which is a lot of extra engineering I don't need and don't want to pay for. I'm coming from a very much loved Hagerman Trumpet MC with all the finest (to my ears) NOS tubes, external linear power supply, upgraded footers. It sounds terrific but I just have to scratch that itch to see if I can do better. If the only improvement I'll be getting by going up the food chain is less hiss, well, I can live with the existing hiss truthfully. I'd be expecting improved imaging, depth, resolution, cymbal decay beauty. Maybe I have it all now... if anyone has first hand experience with the Trumpet and can with an informed opinion offer a better option I'm all ears (hehe).
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@fastricky I recently sold the Lab12 Melto2 tube phono thar I tried for few weeks to a gentleman that owned Hagerman Trumpet. He ended up preferring Lab12. He is using a SUT with his MC cartridge. Since I didn’t see you mention any budget, why not look into Audio Research Ref models on a used market? Or a used Mcintosh MP1100? |
I edited my above post to say I’m very interested in the ModWright PH 150, thoughts? I’m sure the C.Johnson would be exceptional, but dip switches a show stopper for me, especially in the back where it’d be a real pain to get to with my set up. Edit: One strike on the Modwright is that I'm a tube rolling fiend and 6C45 is not a tube that offers options. |
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