Phono stages Bellari VP530 or MS Phonomena ll

[admin_exported]

Need a phono stage and am probably looking at either the Bellari VP530 or MS Phonomena ll. Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on which to go for one way or the other. I am most interested in how good Vinyl will sound once the phonostage is in my system. I have very little experience with phono stages except for the basics so any help on this is greatly appreciated.

PS-The ability to record from vinyl to computer was just an added bonus with the bellari but not really a key factor for me....

 

[Al ears]

Hi powdrhound,

As at least one of those mentioned is quite new I think you are going to be very unlikely to find anyone on this forum who has listened to one of these, let alone both, and that includes dealers.

Do you have the ability to get to audition either of these?

If not I would humbly suggest you limit your choices to something you can actually get to listen to. It does save a lot of disappointment.

 

[ifor]

I have very little experience with phono stages ...

Like you I have little experience, but will soon take the plunge. I've joined the Graham Slee Owners Club forum and found there is a lot to learn there. On top of that, one can try any of his products on a home loan programme. I'll be taking advantage of that in the very near future; I'll be trying out the Reflex M.

 

[Anonymous]

Great idea - I wish all audio manufacturers did that - Living in New Zealand its unfortunately not an option. I will peruse the forum though at the risk of finding something else to add to the list.

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I can't audition them which I agree is exactly what I should be doing. Normally I wouldn't have cared too much so long as it works but........ I have just had somewhat of an epiphany with my system over the weekend and now care a great deal more about the end result.

I had an old perreaux preamp with MC and MM phonostage built in. I listened to most of my music through a second hand tube amp. This is terrible but the name escapes me. I had never done a side by side test of two until Saturday Night and OMG the tube amp made the perreaux sound so average it just wasn't funny. The I have always liked the sound of the tube amp but never relised just how awesome the sound was until listening to it straight after the perreaux. So upshot is the perreaux is being sold and I need a phonostage for the tube amp that will do the sound justice without breaking the bank or my marriage :roll:

Guess that just makes your original point that much more important

 

[Al ears]

Great idea - I wish all audio manufacturers did that - Living in New Zealand its unfortunately not an option. I will peruse the forum though at the risk of finding something else to add to the list.

I think I might have led you a bit astray on my first posting, as got the MS Phonomena 2 mixed up with something else. Its not that new is it?

I don't know it exactly but if I had the choice of the 2 you suggest I would go for it.

As you live in NZ I am not sure if you have acces to Icon Audio gear. If you can find a second-hand PS2 phono preamp you will not be unimpressed, although I understand you do not necessarily want other suggestions.

 

[ifor]

Great idea - I wish all audio manufacturers did that - Living in New Zealand its unfortunately not an option. I will peruse the forum though at the risk of finding something else to add to the list.

I saw on Graham Slee's Australian Loaner Program forum thread that there was something about possibly setting up a NZ Loaner Program. Maybe you could help make it happen.

 

[Anonymous]

Other suggestions are all good and I will look at and appreciate anything being recommended. The Bellari was on a recommendation and the Phenomena was because it just happened to be on a NZ website. I will def look into the PS2 but yes NZ has access to some great Hifi gear but demoing can be a big issue or at least when options seem to become very limited and often expensive.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Ifor - I've had a good look at the website and sort of tried to figure out what I would be aiming at. Have also located the New Zealand supplier so will give him a call and see what would need to happen re demoing.

 

[Anonymous]

The tube preamp that caused all this and that I'd highly recommend is a transcendant just incase anyone is interested.

I have found they also do a phono stage but once converted to NZD it is over my allowable budget