Help Me Choose My Next Phono Stage!

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vinyl_vibe

Member
I’ve ordered a Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace with 12" Ace Space arm and will be using a Lyra Delos for the cart. I've a PrimaLuna Classic Integrated Amp but need to upgrade my phono stage. Have been looking at quite a range of options (trying to keep it in the £500 - £1000 range). Below is a list that falls within that range that I’ve been looking at or have been suggested to me for my setup. Of course I can’t get two people to agree on any one of them but would very much like to know your thoughts. Also happy to entertain new ideas but please keep in mind I’m based in the UK and some US brands aren’t easy to find here. Thanks!

Graham Slee Reflex C

Tom Evans Micro Groove+ X mkII

Trilogy 906

Vertere Phono 1

Simaudio Moon 310LP

Trigon Advance SE Battery Phonostage

Remton Audio 383 MK2 Tube Phonostage

Densen DP-Drive DP-06 MC Phonostage

Musical Surroundings Nova II

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II

Vincent PHO 701

Clearaudio Basic +
 
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I have 2 inputs:

1. I would ask a moderator to move this to the "Turntables" forum, you will get better response there.

2. Add Rothwell to your list, you can get a stand alone MM/MC stage, or a SUT/Head Amp + MM stage.
 
I've used the following phono stages with my Delos:

Dynavector P-75
Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena
Sutherland PH3D (currently in use)

When I eventually upgrade, I'll be looking further up the Sutherland line or for a Pass Labs phono stage.
 
mprince said:
I have 2 inputs:

1. I would ask a moderator to move this to the "Turntables" forum, you will get better response there.

2. Add Rothwell to your list, you can get a stand alone MM/MC stage, or a SUT/Head Amp + MM stage.
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Thanks. Would be happy to have this moved. Wasn't sure where it should live really. Thanks also for the Rothwell vote. The list continues to grow ...
 
Tedrick said:
I've used the following phono stages with my Delos:

Dynavector P-75
Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena
Sutherland PH3D (currently in use)

When I eventually upgrade, I'll be looking further up the Sutherland line or for a Pass Labs phono stage.
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Did you find a significant improvement between the Nova and the Sutherland you currently have?
 
vinyl_vibe said:
Did you find a significant improvement between the Nova and the Sutherland you currently have?
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The differences are subtle, but I liked the presentation of the PH3D a little better. Blacker backgrounds and slightly better dynamics in my system with the Sutherland. However, the Nova is far more flexible/adjustable.
 
Tedrick said:
The differences are subtle, but I liked the presentation of the PH3D a little better. Blacker backgrounds and slightly better dynamics in my system with the Sutherland. However, the Nova is far more flexible/adjustable.
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Yes, the Sutherland is simply silent with a jet black backgrounds, even the non battery powered units...which they have moved away from. For me, I noticed that the Sutherland had great bass impact and weight. It did give up some of the presence and realism that great tube phono preamps offer. With that said, for Solid State, I really think the Sutherland products represent a great value.
 
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techguy0192 said:
Yes, the Sutherland is simply silent with a jet black backgrounds, even the non battery powered units...which they have moved away from. For me, I noticed that the Sutherland had great bass impact and weight. It did give up some of the presence and realism that great tube phono preamps offer. With that said, for Solid State, I really think the Sutherland projects represent a great value.
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I dont think Sutherland will be an option for me as I'm in the UK and it looks like I'd struggle to find them here but I do appreciate the feedback. Btw, anyone know how to get a moderator to move a thread?
 
On the main page with all the forums listed, on the right towards the top is a list of "Admins Online Now". Click on one, then click on "Start a conversation" in the pop-up bubble.
 
One of the recommendations made was between the Trilogy 906 and the Vertere Phono 1. Granted, this advice came from a dealer who sells both but he also said that while I'd be happy with either that the Vertere was quite detailed and as I'd be using the Lyra Delos, I might actual prefer the Trilogy 906 as it had a bit of a deeper sound than the Vertere. I'm not trying to choose between those two but wonder if the issue of detail is one that I need to be particularly aware of given my cart.
 
I have a Simaudio 110 LPS and thought it was a keeper even after I found my ARC PH3.

The 110 LPS is now my spare.

Simaudio makes a nice sounding product with many options and I'm sure the 310LP is even nicer than my 110 LPS.
 
The Lyra Delos is a nice cartridge with a good output voltage and nice, low coil impedance. A Rothwell Rialto would work well with it and come in under budget.
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/rialto_mm_mc_phonostage.html

If you wanted to spend a bit more you could use a Simplex mm phonostage in conjunction with either an MCX step-up transformer or a Headspace headamp
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/simplex_mm_phonostage.html
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/sut.html
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/headspace_mc_headamp.html

The Simplex + MCX is a very nice combination and will give you excellent sound. A Simplex + Headspace has the advantage of being more flexible in terms of gain and loading options and is actually a bit cheaper than the Simplex/MCX, but both combinations are within your budget.

They're all available from several UK dealers including Analogue Seduction
http://www.analogueseduction.net/search/for/-/in/0/brand/148/
 
rothwellaudio said:
The Lyra Delos is a nice cartridge with a good output voltage and nice, low coil impedance. A Rothwell Rialto would work well with it and come in under budget.
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/rialto_mm_mc_phonostage.html

If you wanted to spend a bit more you could use a Simplex mm phonostage in conjunction with either an MCX step-up transformer or a Headspace headamp
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/simplex_mm_phonostage.html
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/sut.html
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/headspace_mc_headamp.html

The Simplex + MCX is a very nice combination and will give you excellent sound. A Simplex + Headspace has the advantage of being more flexible in terms of gain and loading options and is actually a bit cheaper than the Simplex/MCX, but both combinations are within your budget.

They're all available from several UK dealers including Analogue Seduction
http://www.analogueseduction.net/search/for/-/in/0/brand/148/
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Thanks. Will certainly give Rothwell some consideration but if I were to go down the route of using a MM phono with a SUT, I'd be tempted to go with something like a Croft for the MM but again, still trying to work through all the varying options here.
 
vinyl_vibe said:
...if I were to go down the route of using a MM phono with a SUT, I'd be tempted to go with something like a Croft for the MM...
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Yes, Croft make some very nice phonostages and very well-regarded. There are those who swear by a valve MM phonostage + a SUT. I've sold quite a few step-up transformers to Croft owners over the years.

Of course, as with all things hi-fi, there are those with contrary opinions. Some people hate step-up transformers :dunno:
 
rothwellaudio said:
Yes, Croft make some very nice phonostages and very well-regarded. There are those who swear by a valve MM phonostage + a SUT. I've sold quite a few step-up transformers to Croft owners over the years.

Of course, as with all things hi-fi, there are those with contrary opinions. Some people hate step-up transformers :dunno:
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Curious what the argument against Step-ups is.
 
Not thread-crapping, but why no love mentioned for the Jolida JD9? I have had mine for years, and modded it rather heavily, but it does a great job with my LP12/Ittok//Dynavector 23K RS.
 
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