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).
I build my own based on this web site https://www.audiodesignguide.com/Phono/pre-PhonoEnd.html but use quad mono 6X5 ECL82 power supply. I use all naked z-foil resistors for loading and RIAA, all Charcroft ruby silver mica RIAA capacitors, 2w Audio Note silver Niobium for cathode bias resistors and Audio Note Kaisei non-polar for cathode bypass capacitors. It won Allnic H-5000 DHT (previous Allnic top model) and Ypsilon VPS MK1 to my ears. |
Quick update - the VTP sounds terrific, very happy. It certainly is steps up from the Hagerman but the main headliine is that the Hagerman really is a surprisingly great phono pre nevermind how cheap it is (well, a pimped out version anyway with LPS, top notch NOS tubes and good footers). I'll write a thorough post in a few weeks once I've really lived with the VTP but in short it offers greater air / transparency / cleaner bass / no low mid emphasis (balanced and neutral) / excellent depth / more explicit loading detail. I'm happy. |
@fastricky how is the surface noise compared to Hagerman? Any improvements in that department? |
It's a question of loading, I'm currently running my AT ART1000x cart at 1k (fairly open) and at that setting surface noise isn't muffled, but also isn't exaggerated. But the VTP is significantly quieter than the Hagerman in terms of tube hiss / general operation. Not quite a black background but acceptably so for an all tube system. |
