Phono Stages with 3-4 inputs

[howiebrou]

I am interested very much in EMT JPA66 because of its features.

Kind rgards,
Tang

Buy two, get a big discount??

 

[howiebrou]

I do like my Accuphase C-37. 3 inputs for MM or MC with memory and 3 ground posts. 100K loading for MM if you want to try.

Sounds a treat.

Shane, much of the accuphase line could be described as "gentle and smooth". Would that apply to the phono? I am guessing no, as your equipment suggests a like of a more dynamic sound?

Howie

 

[howiebrou]

Lamm LP1 Sig gives you three MC inputs if you use an outboard transformer plugged into the MM inputs. I use it that way. My Allnic has a total of 4 inputs. 2 MC and 2 MM. for 4 total MC inputs if I run outbd trannies.

Gosh. Outboard step ups. That puts another twist into the puzzle and more fun for the journey! I guess I can use the MM phono input on my Kondo Preamp for one input.

 

[XV-1]

Shane, much of the accuphase line could be described as "gentle and smooth". Would that apply to the phono? I am guessing no, as your equipment suggests a like of a more dynamic sound?

Howie

Hi Howie, correct: the Accuphase is pretty neutral, dynamic with tight bass. It is a pretty clear window and quiet as a tomb. Equally at home with Jazz, electronic and rock.

Quite a nice improvement over my Pass XP-25 I had before.

 

[howiebrou]

Seems like the VAC statement phono ticks quite a few boxes with 4 inputs. Anyone have experience with this or with VAC products in general?

Edit: Just found this thread. At 70k it seems a little expensive...

 

[dan31]

The pass XS has dedicated gain blocks for each input. Only switched at the output. I hear great things about the EMT if you have the coin.

 

[rockitman]

Seems like the VAC statement phono ticks quite a few boxes with 4 inputs. Anyone have experience with this or with VAC products in general?

Edit: Just found this thread. At 70k it seems a little expensive...

$70k is a show stopper for a phonostage. I would love to hear it in my system to see what the extra $40k delivers over my Lamm or Allnic...if in fact it can beat those units.

 

[howiebrou]

$70k is a show stopper for a phonostage. I would love to hear it in my system to see what the extra $40k delivers over my Lamm or Allnic...if in fact it can beat those units.

It is very expensive but then I guess there are 100k preamps that do even less.

Anyone know the EMTJA66 Mk II msrp?

Thanks

howie

 

[XV-1]

Seems like the VAC statement phono ticks quite a few boxes with 4 inputs. Anyone have experience with this or with VAC products in general?

Edit: Just found this thread. At 70k it seems a little expensive...

Except you have to manually change the gain, load etc each time you change inputs. I had this with the Pass XP-25. Gets tiring turning knobs every time you change tables/arms if the settings are different.

btw - the VAC phono was released in 2013 @ 50K. Now its 70K LOL - WTF - talk about being well ahead of inflation.

 

[Tango]

It is very expensive but then I guess there are 100k preamps that do even less.

Anyone know the EMTJA66 Mk II msrp?

Thanks

howie

I once tried a $80,000 phono in my system but didnt sound as organic and involving as a $15,000 Thoress.

The EMT is around €35,000 - €40,000 I think. And you can adjust load and gain seperately for each input.

Kind regards,
Tang

 

[Tango]

I talked to Gerhard the designer and owner of Ayon once about the adjustability in phono. He told me that he likes the signal to go straight through as much as possible. The more adjustability the less direct signal path and purity of signal. I think the Lamm also has no adjustability.

Kind regards,
Tang

 

[microstrip]

It is very expensive but then I guess there are 100k preamps that do even less.

Anyone know the EMTJA66 Mk II msrp?

Thanks

howie

Just to remember it seems to sell much cheaper in Italy. http://www.afmerate.com/v3/271-emt/

 

[microstrip]

I talked to Gerhard the designer and owner of Ayon once about the adjustability in phono. He told me that he likes the signal to go straight through as much as possible. The more adjustability the less direct signal path and purity of signal. I think the Lamm also has no adjustability.

Kind regards,
Tang

Most of the time phono adjustability is just switching resistive and capacitive loads in parallel with the input - it does not affect the "signal path".

 

[howiebrou]

Except you have to manually change the gain, load etc each time you change inputs. I had this with the Pass XP-25. Gets tiring turning knobs every time you change tables/arms if the settings are different.

btw - the VAC phono was released in 2013 @ 50K. Now its 70K LOL - WTF - talk about being well ahead of inflation.

That is a bit of a pain. Anyhow the price kind of rules it out anyway...

 

[howiebrou]

I once tried a $80,000 phono in my system but didnt sound as organic and involving as a $15,000 Thoress.

The EMT is around €35,000 - €40,000 I think. And you can adjust load and gain seperately for each input.

Kind regards,
Tang

The EMT intrigues me. Gotta get to have a listen sometime.

 

[restock]

I do like my Accuphase C-37. 3 inputs for MM or MC with memory and 3 ground posts. 100K loading for MM if you want to try.

Sounds a treat.

I second the Accuphase C37 - real depth, wonderful tonality, textures and details, dynamic. Loading and gain is easily adjustable for each input.

Another choice for multiple inputs is the Cyrus phono ...

 

[Uk Paul / Z:Axis Audio]

Howie,

The Allnic's have 4 inputs, 2 x MC 2 x MM, and sound is pretty good.. Retail is about 10K here, not sure about HK though. My H3000 uses built in SUT's for MC, alternatively you can use the HA3000 head amp into the MM input's but I have no experience using the H3000 this way though so can't comment on a comparison.

Rgds,
Paul

 

[howiebrou]

Howie,

The Allnic's have 4 inputs, 2 x MC 2 x MM, and sound is pretty good.. Retail is about 10K here, not sure about HK though. My H3000 uses built in SUT's for MC, alternatively you can use the HA3000 head amp into the MM input's but I have no experience using the H3000 this way though so can't comment on a comparison.

Rgds,
Paul

Thanks Paul. I need to investigate the Allnic sometime. They are included in a list that also includes the CH P1 and EMT JPA66ii.

howie

 

[Ron Resnick]

I am also thinking a convenience of a switch box because I like my Ayon Spheris phono very much. The EMT and Lamm are very tempting though.

Kind regards,
Tang

Hello Tang,

Did you ever find a very high-quality switcher box?

I do agree with MikeL's sonic perfectionist point. So maybe the middle path is to accept a tiny sonic penalty and use an intermediate pair of short and easily accessible interconnects, swapping between or among phono cables on a short interconnect extension, rather than unplugging and plugging directly into the back of the phono stage box?

 

[Ovenmitt]

I have an EMT JPA66 as well and really like it. Very quiet, super dynamic and just plain good sounds.... I do use an Auditorium Hommage SUT into one of the inputs because I like it’s sound with my SPU’s.

I have been hearing some very good words on the Emia stuff (I think Mike L has one of their SUT’s). I really align with their sensibilities in general though, I think. You might check them out. It almost seems that they Could build you anything you wanted even if it’s not a “stock” model. http://myemia.com/home.html