Best phono stage?
- Thread starter awsmone
- Start date
garylkoh
WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
I use his for all my vinyl archiving. Best/quietest I've heard so far...... though I haven't had the Ypsilon, Pass XS or Boulder in my system..... yet
What about the LAMM LP2.1 which I have and love or if funds allow, the LP1 Signature 3 chassis?
What about the LAMM LP2.1 which I have and love or if funds allow, the LP1 Signature 3 chassis?Thanks to everyone so far….
This website is great at getting feedback from people with real experience
I have just looked at Thoress which was not on my horizon… thanks to those who suggested It would seem version 3 might suit me
I should mention I have 6000 records or more I have put links to my dedicated vinyl library room, the classicals are all originals and the jazz a mixture of originals and reissues
But back to the Thoress website….phono enhancer
I have to say it has one of the most interesting manuals I have read
http://www.thoeress.com/manuals/thoeress_phono_enhancer_manual.pdf suggest others who haven't read it who are interested in lp reproduction !
So far phonos I have looked into
Boulder 2008
Boulder 1008 ( a bit quieter and half the price)
Burmester 100 similar price to boulder
Allnic 3000
Ypsilon but requires separate step ups?
Accuphase c27
Audio Research Ref 2SE and Ref 10
Soulution 750 with power supply
Fm acoustics I have ruled out for compatibility issues as mentioned vide supra
And the Vitus Mp P201 and SP 102
Any others?
I have had Pass XP15 being fed by a Benz Micro LP in a 12" 3D Aries and replaced it with a Lamm LP2.1 being fed the same way several months ago. To my taste, the Lamm was an immediate improvement in every dimension, especially the bass, but then I have a Spectral DMC 30 SV and Spectral DMA 300RS as my core and tubes made my sound way more realistic through my Vivid G3's and JL F113's.
I moved up from a Pass XP-15 to an XP-25 two years ago and thought it was a considerable step. So much so that in the meantime I now run two XP-25 to have enough inputs for the four tonearms on my deck without the need to plug and unplug things.
For those that can only dream - like me - a full FM Acoustics system with Vertere Front End will be on demo at the London 'Indulgence Show' the last weekend of September.
I know its been a while when the Manley "steelhead" was the "HOT STUFF..."
but i cant stop wondering.... why no one was referring to it this days.. (its lost his charm?)
i remember 8-15 years ago, EVERYONE talked about it and want one.. (maybe Mike-f "fault"?)
do you think it still can hold it own compering to a 10-30K phono stages of today? sound wise....
its no secret that 10-15 years ago HIGH END audio was a lot less expensive...
now days everyone are just get a high $$ price tag and trying to get the most attention
from the heavy buyers. no matter how good (or less) they are.
your thoughts?
but i cant stop wondering.... why no one was referring to it this days.. (its lost his charm?)
i remember 8-15 years ago, EVERYONE talked about it and want one.. (maybe Mike-f "fault"?)
do you think it still can hold it own compering to a 10-30K phono stages of today? sound wise....
its no secret that 10-15 years ago HIGH END audio was a lot less expensive...
now days everyone are just get a high $$ price tag and trying to get the most attention
from the heavy buyers. no matter how good (or less) they are.
your thoughts?
I owned it at one time but sold it because I thought it was very dark sounding. I would be very surprised if it held up today.
why is that?
the build is superb, design, versatility... sound wise it was compared to about almost everything was available those days (and most of the time won over)..
i think it been dark sounding (i was never thought it was dark... when i was hearing it in the past though)... was subjected to your preference and taste those days (no problem there).
Any preamp with enough gain will do the job. Its not like preamps work particularly well with one cartridge as opposed to another.
The real issue is whether the preamp is stable (if its not, cartridge loading will be important and you will hear more ticks and pops) or not, as the best preamp for the job will not be one that is unstable.
The real issue is whether the preamp is stable (if its not, cartridge loading will be important and you will hear more ticks and pops) or not, as the best preamp for the job will not be one that is unstable.
