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Which phono preamps among these three?

1. Manley Chinook Tube phono stage
2. Whest PS.30R
3. Aesthetix Rhea

I picked these three because they are currently available for sale in audiogon, and all three have very good reviews. All three are a bit over my budget at the moment, but I expect to get enough fund in the short future.

I mostly listen to Jazz (50s-60s) and classicals, occasionally pops and rocks. Rhea is more expensive than the other two, but Rhea supports three inputs while the other supports only one input, switchable to MM or MC. The other two cost about the same as used Rhea.

If you are to pick one, which one? For what reason? Is one definitely better than the others? Or, they are pretty much in the same league with different characteristics?
128x128ihcho
bpoletti
1,525 posts
 
I'd call Keith Herron. There's no predicting what could happen.
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
609 posts
 
I did not know about Atma-Sphere preamps with phono unit. Pardon my ignorance. If its phono section is as good as $2000~$3000 external phono, I might consider it, well, in the future.
Whest RDT SE is over my budget, as is NVO SPA.
Bpoletti, how would rate Herron's MC? Would it be better than Herron's own MM + an external SUT at around $1000, like Bob's device or Hashimoto HM3 SUT? I am particularly interested in x20 and x40 SUT for 0.2mV and 0.1mV MC cartridges.
I wonder if I can try out Herron. If Keith allows it, then I would give a try in the near future.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,443 posts
 
A used VTPH-2 just became available on AudiogoN last (Sunday 6-7) night.
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
609 posts
 
Thanks.
It looks pretty good a deal.
However, I've realized that its MC only supports medium output MC cartridges (0.5mV ~ 1mV). I have three very low output MC cartridges (Ortofon MC20, SL15e, SL20, which are all under 0.1mV, SPU Gold (0.2mV), and Denon DL103R (0.25mV)). None of those can be used with Herron's MC input. I have an SUT with x20 and x40 gain, so I can still use Herron with the SUT, but I am not sure whether that is what I want to do.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,443 posts
 
If you're going to use a transformer anyway, you'll need only a low-gain phono amp. Most of the improvement of the PH-2 over the PH-1 is in the moving coil section I believe, and if you're real lucky (and patient) a PH-1mm may come up. Not from me, however!
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