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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). 

fastricky
kennyc
3,019 posts
 

@atmasphere since you need a square wave generator and an oscilloscope to do it properly. 

Ha! I have both brand new but no clue how to use. I am planning to drink the guidance on WAM engineering to buy set up tools and get a few carts examined.

Seems Koetsu stone carts like my Corralstone D do best with a SUT. My conundrum is which SUT and how high I have to spend for a voltage phono. I do own a Lejonklou Slipsik 3 which is a very old generation. My transimpedience current phono is VDH Grail SB because my SS audio chain emphasizes dropping the noise floor. 

kennyc
3,019 posts
 

@fastricky AT ART20, AT ART1000x, VDH Colibri Strad XGW, ZYX UNIverse III. 

Holy smokes! Your running top cartridges with an entry level phono? It’s great that you’re addressing this audio bottleneck.

I also run a variety: VDH Colibri Grand Cru, Koetsu Coralstone D, Aida Mammoth Gold MkII, Lyra Edna (bugs me that not lambda, will likely upgrade), various SPUs,Miyajima Infinity mono. Want to get to DS Audio W3 (lower noise floor) but out of budget. Maybe get when visit Japan after wife retires hopefully soon- our 24yr old triplets still on her benefits. 

mambacfa
112 posts
 

I own and use two phono preamps: Allnic H-1201 tube unit (such a bargain) and the Einstein solid-state fully balanced Turntable's Choice (mono blocks, each with its own separate power supply.) They both sound very nice, even though the Einstein cost 3x the Allnic.

mambacfa
112 posts
 

So many good ones to choose from - you can pick almost any reputable ones and you won't go wrong. Nuances and personal preferences are all that's going on. Why make yourself crazy? Pick one and go listen to music.

herman
2,311 posts
 

@mambacfa that is very wise guidance

I didn’t read every word in this thread, but regarding the OP’s question... without some sort of budget the questions is pointless. Not sure why Allnic is held up as the gold standard either as it is one of many in the category of high end phono stages.

Regarding what is the best, it is what sounds the best to the listener, and there are several topologies that sound really, really good. .. so all this jaw jacking from Cey and Ralph is also pointless. There is more than one way to get to excellent, so anybody who declares anything in this hobby is a definitive can be safely ignored.

I settled on an Emia MM stage with a silver SUT for several reasons.

  1. I have tried a number of high end stages (Allnic, Aesthetix, VDH, and others) and of all, TO ME this one sounds  the most natural, the most engaging, 
  2. I don’t have the time or the $$ to try all of the "best", and this one makes me smile every time I listen to it, so I quit searching
  3. I can afford it

I think anyone who hears it will agree it sounds really , really good. They may prefer a different sound so for them it may not be the "best" .. but back to my overall point.

What is best is what the listener prefers. There has never been and there never will be a consensus best of anything in this hobby. And what @mambacfa  said

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