End Game Phono Preamp (tube)

My experience with the predecessor H3000 Allnic (not a ’V’ with variable curves) is that it benefits enormously from rolling the rectifier-- if you go back to the reviews when that unit was marketed,  you’ll see all sorts of anecdotals on the attributes of different rectifiers. 

I think I brought the Allnic into this system around 2013--had a Steelhead, which was a like a Swiss army knife of utility but despite rolling tubes there, never got past a slight electronic glaze. Used the MM inputs straight in rather than the auto former inputs for top end Lyra and Airtight cartridges at the time. 

Although a lateral move from the steelhead  in terms of price, market segment, the Allnic enjoyed far more "dimension" and, at least in my system, much better pinpoint placement of instruments as well as a sense of micro-dynamics- you could hear the dynamic changes of individual instruments. These sound like "audiophile" attributes, but the end result was far more "real" sounding and less electronic.

Also, despite comments from some that the Allnic had a burnished quality compared to other solid state phono stages, I never found that-- utmost "clarity" without any bite or tendency to etch the leading edges. Perhaps synergy with the other components. Have not sampled the others mentioned here--doing so in your system will reveal these differences. The Allnic did take a little time to settle in.

I had a variety of NOS rectifiers, from fat base Mullard (first after metal base) to several others, including the metal base--a vaunted tube which had mucho base but sounded lifeless on top. My rectifier of choice in my system has proven to be a cup base GEC u52, which is a pretty well recognized older tube. Synergy in voicing with the other components? I think so. The unit has proved to be pretty reliable, replaced one tube socket and refreshed the main chassis tube complement with NOS Dutch tubes. The gain/loading adjustments are easily performed,unit is very quiet, the CNC chassis lends solidity, the soldering inside looks a little hasty but it has held up well. And the current distributor in the States (different when I bought) is well informed and responsive. 

Doshi Alaap is also fighting for my preference, and cheaper than the Allnic by 50%. Thoughts? Modwright PH150 is in the discussion too. 

@atmasphere + 1

I was using the internal MC/MM phono stage in my NAD M66 Preamp/DAC/Streamer with a Rega P6 and Ania Pro MC cartridge. That combo was very good, or so I thought. 

Then, I stumbled on a pre-owned Zesto Audio Andros PS1 at The Music Room for about half price compared to new. I was expecting an improvement but nowhere near the improvement I experienced. Few products have exceeded my expectations like the Zesto Andros PS1 did. 

A year later, I found a Zesto Audio Andros II Deluxe with ESP https://www.zestoaudio.com/andros-deluxe-ii-phonostage/ on The Music Room website for $5k (retail $8,300). I purchased it and sold the PS1 for more than I paid for it. The Andros II is fantastic and offers tons of loading options that can be changed "hot" while playing a record. It accepts both MM and MC cartridges and you COULD run two turntables if you ran both cartridge types but I don’t. I’m still running the Rega P6 but now with a Hana Umami Blue cartridge and the combination is fantastic. Both Zesto phono stages include high quality dual mono step-up transformers in the chassis.

In short, I highly recommend Zesto Audio phono preamps for clarity, detail, dynamics and very low noise floor. George and Carolyn Counnas (designer/ business owners) respond directly to my inquiries and have been a pleasure answering questions about tube recommendations and best practices. The units are very nice to look at with clear emphasis on aesthetics. And, they are hand made in California, USA.

One final point. I found the Andros PS1 to be a huge improvement over the NAD internal phono stage as you would expect for a $4k product. While I love the Andros II, it represents at best, a 10% improvement over the PS1 for twice the money. I’d highly recommend both although, if budget is a consideration, the PS1 was fantastic!

no, i dont have to do polling because its already been done.

@cey Link or it didn't happen. 

as with all real-world norms, there are real world exceptions. 
 

Oh! So a phono section with enough gain can sound better than one with an SUT. This is what I meant by a 'limited sample size' in a prior post.

But for the record the polling does not exist...