Playing with some great toys - Comparing 5 phono stages in my home system

[dionisofun]

The cartridges and the tonearms of my system were bought directly from them.

I'm actually looking for a Sut that represents a real improvement over the Ear MC4 - whose transformers are also present in my phono stage Ear 88pb. So I would like not to repeat the same sut for my second turntable.

 

[dcc]

I tested the Copper and Silver versions of the Consolidated Audio SUT in my system. The Silver is way better than the copper one and I ordered a bespoke SUT in silver.

As indicated by Ked/Bonzo75, the new SUT in silver produced by Anamighty Sound is a very compelling offering and plays in the same league as the copper Consolidated SUT. I purchased one for the secondary system.

 

[shakti]

I tested the Copper and Silver versions of the Consolidated Audio SUT in my system. The Silver is way better than the copper one and I ordered a bespoke SUT in silver.

As indicated by Ked/Bonzo75, the new SUT in silver produced by Anamighty Sound is a very compelling offering and plays in the same league as the copper Consolidated SUT. I purchased one for the secondary system.

Fine, if silver works for you and your gear.

I do not like silver wired components too much, as they some times have a easy recognizable "silver" sound signature.

But in some set ups , silver works fine, from there, everybody needs to try , there is no general preference for the wire material.

 

[dionisofun]

interesting read.
The Phasemation T-1000 (integrated in the EA-1200) and the T-2000 are optimized for 4 to 5 ohm, but will work fine from 1,5ohm to 40 ohm.

So you heard the T-2000 / EA- 2000 in comparison with a very low impedance cart.

I never tried that, will do it soon.

Have you heard the T-2000 connected to the EA-1200? This is my current preferred set up.

In 2 weeks I might have the chance to get the EA-2000 to my home to compare.

Shakti, have you finally heard the T-2000 connected to the Phasemation Ea-1200? How can it be compared to the EA-2000?

 

[shakti]

Shakti, have you finally heard the T-2000 connected to the Phasemation Ea-1200? How can it be compared to the EA-2000?

I am using the T-2000 now since more than a year on various Phonostages.
The performance increase versus the smaller Phasemation T-1000 step up is huge.
Bigger than moving from T-550 to T-1000.

As the EA-1000 has the T-1000 step up integrated, the performance increase using the T-2000 with EA-1200 is big.

But even with T-2000 the performance will not become close to EA-2000.

I would say, with T-2000 it is possible to make a little more than the half way to EA-2000 performance, which is a big step compared to standard EA-1200 and will give to this combination a good value, as T-1000 step up is embedded.

During the next year (I would assume) Phasemation will launch the optional second PSU box for the EA--1200,
as they did before with EA-1000.

This will become an interesting challenge, as the second PSU was like a turbo charger for EA-1000.

This will close the gap between EA-2000 and EA-1200 even further.

For me EA-2000 performance is the best Phonostage I ever heard, everybody who knows my set up and is visiting me cannot believe, that this sound difference is "only" cased by the change of the Phonostage.

 

[amadeus]

I am using the T-2000 now since more than a year on various Phonostages.
The performance increase versus the smaller Phasemation T-1000 step up is huge.
Bigger than moving from T-550 to T-1000.

As the EA-1000 has the T-1000 step up integrated, the performance increase using the T-2000 with EA-1200 is big.

But even with T-2000 the performance will not become close to EA-2000.

I would say, with T-2000 it is possible to make a little more than the half way to EA-2000 performance, which is a big step compared to standard EA-1200 and will give to this combination a good value, as T-1000 step up is embedded.

During the next year (I would assume) Phasemation will launch the optional second PSU box for the EA--1200,
as they did before with EA-1000.

This will become an interesting challenge, as the second PSU was like a turbo charger for EA-1000.

This will close the gap between EA-2000 and EA-1200 even further.

For me EA-2000 performance is the best Phonostage I ever heard, everybody who knows my set up and is visiting me cannot believe, that this sound difference is "only" cased by the change of the Phonostage.

Phasemation already launched the psu Box for the EA 1200 ! Would be great to hear from a user what it does to the sound performance of the EA 1200 when you add this extra psu Box....?

 

[XV-1]

Phasemation already launched the psu Box for the EA 1200 ! Would be great to hear from a user what it does to the sound performance of the EA 1200 when you add this extra psu Box....?

I have ordered one. It will be here towards the end of Jan. I too am hoping it will be a nice upgrade in sound.

 

[amadeus]

I have ordered one. It will be here towards the end of Jan. I too am hoping it will be a nice upgrade in sound.

Well let us know....

 

[Rotatoubib]

Would be interesting to compare the new Nagra HD pre phono with the EA 2000, don't you think?

 

[shakti]

Would be interesting to compare the new Nagra HD pre phono with the EA 2000, don't you think?

Sure, there are even some more Phonostages out there with a good reputation, like EMT JPA 66,
but always difficult in Germany to get access to this type of gear.

 

[Rotatoubib]

you mean EMT 128?

 

[dcc]

Would be interesting to compare the new Nagra HD pre phono with the EA 2000, don't you think?

Since then I have acquired the EA-2000 with a second pair of T-2000. I have little chance of getting a Nagra HD phono at my place as the local Nagra dealer lost my business many moons ago. Luckily, I have a reputable tech who takes care of my Nagra IVS tape deck.

 

[Rotatoubib]

dcc, did you have a bad experience with your Nagra dealer? I have a Nagra cartridge ( and a Nagra HD pre amp) its why I was thinking that this new Nagra pre phono could be a good match

 

[dcc]

dcc, did you have a bad experience with your Nagra dealer? I have a Nagra cartridge ( and a Nagra HD pre amp) its why I was thinking that this new Nagra pre phono could be a good match

It was indeed not a great experience but it was not related to Nagra products. He is the sole Nagra dealer in my area.

 

[Rotatoubib]

your experience with Anamighty Sound was very interesting, they seem to be leader about vinyl in your area and mine

 

[shakti]

you mean EMT 128?

I had the 128, I like to try JPA 66

 

[Rensselaer]

Sure, there are even some more Phonostages out there with a good reputation, like EMT JPA 66,
but always difficult in Germany to get access to this type of gear.

Do you think the Ypsilon VPS100 good enough to compete with the group?

 

[bonzo75]

Do you think the Ypsilon VPS100 good enough to compete with the group?

I have compared Ypsilon to Allnic 7000 with the KR recti, Ypsilon SUT, and Lyra Atlas. The Ypsilon has slightly more highs, cleaner...Allnic with the rolled over recti has more midbass energy and flow. Given that the 7000 in the used market is much cheaper and you don't lose money trading it in and out, I would get that. But since you already have the Ypsilon, you can stay put. One thing about Allnic though, it is always very emotionally engaging once you get the right valves in.

 

[shakti]

Do you think the Ypsilon VPS100 good enough to compete with the group?

I have compared Ypsilon to Allnic 7000 with the KFR recti, Ypsilon SUT, and Lyra Atlas. The Ypsilon has slightly more highs, cleaner...Allnic with the rolled over recti has more midbass energy and flow. Given that the 7000 in the used market is much cheaper and you don't lose money trading it in and out, I would get that. But since you already have the Ypsilon, you can stay put. One thing about Allnic though, it is always very emotionally engaging once you get the right valves in.

fully agree to Bonzo

 

[Rotatoubib]

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