Question Phono Stage help!

[Gray]

Fosi is confusing to me with these low prices in the world of thousandKs. I offered a Fosi amp to my sister with small Eltax speakers and it's impressive (Debut Carbon + OM5). The sound is really good and the whole system is cheaper than my cartridge and phono cable.

Your confusion about pricing is understandable Ben.
Those of us who've tried Fosi amps have been very impressed with the quality and value.
As you've found, good sound doesn't have to cost a fortune - although those that have spent a fortune will often disagree with that 👍

 

[BenWatts]

Your confusion about pricing is understandable Ben.
Those of us who've tried Fosi amps have been very impressed with the quality and value.
As you've found, good sound doesn't have to cost a fortune - although those that have spent a fortune will often disagree with that 👍

The next step for my sister is to offer her a decent cartridge ditching the OM-5 for her Debut Carbon TT.

I admit : stunning sound with a small amp (145€).

 

[Integralista]

Sorry for misstake in text above. For normal more usual turntables like around 1000-2000 eurs, transistor based phono stages are better value. Tubes have more specific sound signature. I truly love our Canor tube equipment, made in Slovakia.

 

[nopiano]

A Thorens TD-1500 with its stock TP-150 tonearm and Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge.
Heed Obelisk SI3 and power supply X2 as amplifier
Acoustic Energies AE120 mk II speakers.

If your amp is like this one…https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/heed-obelisk-si-mkiii-integrated-amplifier-27131-p.asp
…then it looks like Heed make a phono ‘board’ for it. That is, an extra amplifier stage that can be plugged in.

The Heed MM is obviously an easy choice, but you’d need to ascertain if it meets your unstated budget. Failing which, the ever popular Rega Fono MM models are all very good - I’ve had two over the years - and easily bought used if you want to keep costs down. £80 upwards depending on the model.

I’ve not used the Fosi, though I have two of their amplifiers. It’s had universally positive reviews and is small, so might suit you well.

PS. Just seen another post where you say you’ve had this turntable for a couple of years, so how have you been listening to it?

 

[BenWatts]

If your amp is like this one…https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/heed-obelisk-si-mkiii-integrated-amplifier-27131-p.asp
…then it looks like Heed make a phono ‘board’ for it. That is, an extra amplifier stage that can be plugged in.

The Heed MM is obviously an easy choice, but you’d need to ascertain if it meets your unstated budget. Failing which, the ever popular Rega Fono MM models are all very good - I’ve had two over the years - and easily bought used if you want to keep costs down. £80 upwards depending on the model.

I’ve not used the Fosi, though I have two of their amplifiers. It’s had universally positive reviews and is small, so might suit you well.

PS. Just seen another post where you say you’ve had this turntable for a couple of years, so how have you been listening to it?

Actually I have the heed phono MM board in the SI3. A good one for a board but I am sure I can improve the phono experience.

 

[nopiano]

Actually I have the heed phono MM board in the SI3. A good one for a board but I am sure I can improve the phono experience.

Ok, well I’m not as sure as you on that, but you need to be looking above £500 in my estimation. I’ve no particular experience of those, as my Rega Fono was supplanted by Linn’s very good Akurate preamp.

Good luck with your searching, and you can start with reviews here from our hosts.

Best phono preamps 2023: budget to high-end phono stages

A turntable's best friend

www.whathifi.com

I’d be tempted by the newly superseded Cyrus pre, or the Musical Fidelity MX shown above.

 

[Al ears]

Ok, well I’m not as sure as you on that, but you need to be looking above £500 in my estimation. I’ve no particular experience of those, as my Rega Fono was supplanted by Linn’s very good Akurate preamp.

Good luck with your searching, and you can start with reviews here from our hosts.

Best phono preamps 2023: budget to high-end phono stages

A turntable's best friend

www.whathifi.com

I’d be tempted by the newly superseded Cyrus pre, or the Musical Fidelity MX shown above.

True.
My amplifier apparently has an excellent phono stage built in but I prefer to keep anything that deals with such a sensitive signal completely separate from other electical circuits, hence the phono preamp.

 

[BenWatts]

I can figure out your Tom Evans Audio Groove 20th Anniversary phono preamp is quite good : 2,5K!

 

[Al ears]

I can figure out your Tom Evans Audio Groove 20th Anniversary phono preamp is quite good : 2,5K!

It is, but that's not what I paid for it.....

 

[Vincent Kars]

What about Fidler? https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...l-fidler-spartan-20-phono-stage-review.61993/

 

[BenWatts]

Another interesting reference on the web but impossible to try it.

Brad Mehldau is playing his Largo album in my living room, doors opened on the terrasse, half moon up in the sky, quite street.. wonderful atmosphere. The 2M Bronze is quite pleasant even without a external stage.

 

[BenWatts]

Does anybody has an experience with Exposure phono preamp ?

A used XM3 with chord Shawline rca cable is sold in my neighborhood.
I never listen Exposure and just found a few information on the Internet. Not always positive

 

[nopiano]

Does anybody has an experience with Exposure phono preamp ?

A used XM3 with chord Shawline rca cable is sold in my neighborhood.
I never listen Exposure and just found a few information on the Internet. Not always positive

I don’t, but generally Exposure have a good rep. Is it cheaper than this dealer sale?

Exposure XM 3 Phono amplifier (MC+MM) - Signals Hi-Fi

Exposure XM3 Phono Amplifier in titanium (dark sliver) finish. Good overall condition with only some minor scuffs on the sleeve. 3 month warranty

signals.uk.com

 

[BenWatts]

What a fair price !
A seller not so far from home is proposing
- EXPOSURE XM3 PREAMP PHONO
- CHORD SHAWLINE RCA RCA 1M
For 500€

I invited him to have a drink and some vinyl listening at home to assess the adequacy.

By the way he is selling a dream machine :

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/photo_audio_video/3017803684