Question Three phono stage, which one ?

[Entrigo]

Seeing it yesterday, I was scarred because of the amount of money but really reassured even before plugging it in with the weight, design and finishing. The box, the documentation, the rubber feet, the weight of the power supply is huge —everything was very reassuring.

Saturday night, around 6:00 PM, I finally connected it to my system. It took just one track for me to rejoice in the space between the instruments. Every instrument breathes, each holding its own distinct place. Every nuance in the attack of a bass kick, a piano, a guitar, or a cymbal is incredibly detailed and sings. The acoustic guitar that comes in during the solo reprise in Dire Straits’ “Tunnel of Love” is beautifully present. The velvet in Knopfler’s voice is sublime. His left-hand vibrato is magnificent. Three records went through it.

A change of style with Avishai Cohen and his last three albums. The double bass is precise, and the entire score feels natural. It’s alive and wonderfully musical.

I also tested some metal (Ne Obliviscaris) and metal prog tracks (Tool, Dream Theater). I realized the orchestral density. Speaking of orchestras, I don’t have many high-quality Deutsche Grammophon recordings. In fact, I only have Mozart’s Requiem that’s well-pressed (Karl Bohm in Original Source). The others are old and haven’t received the care they deserve. The male voices have never sounded this good. The female voices are clear and full of emotion. I can truly feel the distress that I never experienced before—except maybe at live concerts, which are far too expensive and therefore too rare.

I played a lot of classic and contemporary jazz again. Turentine has never been so generous in my apartment.

I am delighted and only 2M bronze owner.
Can’t wait to add an MC! No money for the moment but a lot of pleasure.

That sounds very positive, well done with your instinct and enjoy your new phono stage!

 

[BenWatts]

Thanks guys.
If someone’s looking for a phonostage, I wish you to try one / find one used.

 

[nopiano]

Thanks guys.
If someone’s looking for a phonostage, I wish you to try one / find one used.

You see, all that ‘burning in’ stuff was overstated! 😉

 

[BenWatts]

I cannot feel any difference before and after.
To me, my ears move more than the hardware.

 

[Paul AJ]

Oh really ?
I have to investigate.

The last run is between these two :





You mean this one ?

Tom Evans Microgroove Plus MK2.5

Tom Evans Microgroove Plus, Topversion mit Lithos 7.5A Technologie

www.wittmann-hifi.de

https://exaudio.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tead-mar-2023.pdf

Never heard about Tom Evans.

What does this thing do for my system ??

 

[Paul AJ]

Oh just 18 years to achieve my quest !

Too much difficult to try these at home. For the moment the Hegel V10 has my preference. Known as super quiet and proposes a wide range of settings.
1100€ new shipped from Riga, easy paiment... Difficult to resist.

After many years playing music I think I've settled on the final part of my system... The Waxwing DSP phono.. I know most of the audiophiles out there will say " Crazy" but I think I've found something to give me fun while playing my music.

 

[BenWatts]

Happy for you. I read many positive feedback on this one. Another device we should have tried I a lifetime. Decisions have to be made : to buy or not to buy, to swap, to ditch, to add, to move…

Now on my side, it’s time to select the good cartridge for some years. Here again : a lot to read, learn and choose.

 

[BenWatts]

This was the last missing upgrade.
The system is now achieved and results are incredibly good.
First MC here : HANA SL mk2 added to a AUDIOMAT phono 1.7 mk2 as well.

The move from a Bronze MM to a HANA mc is obvious. Twice the budget but I won’t complain about the final results: bass defined, much more details (guitar effects, voice tremolo, strings on fretboard, wider space between instruments, super detailed sound for metal music, super groovy basses on Massive Attack, warm sax on all jazz LPs, some tears on my childhood vinyls.

Good LPs are even better, average vinyls are slightly better. Huge Hiromi fanboy, I am deceived by her LPs but they sound better with the Hana. I ditched old vinyls so I cannot compare to bad ones.

Here is the combo:

 

[Integralista]

This was the last missing upgrade.
The system is now achieved and results are incredibly good.
First MC here : HANA SL mk2 added to a AUDIOMAT phono 1.7 mk2 as well.

The move from a Bronze MM to a HANA mc is obvious. Twice the budget but I won’t complain about the final results: bass defined, much more details (guitar effects, voice tremolo, strings on fretboard, wider space between instruments, super detailed sound for metal music, super groovy basses on Massive Attack, warm sax on all jazz LPs, some tears on my childhood vinyls.

Good LPs are even better, average vinyls are slightly better. Huge Hiromi fanboy, I am deceived by her LPs but they sound better with the Hana. I ditched old vinyls so I cannot compare to bad ones.

Here is the combo:

Hi Ben, what experience do you have with Audiomat phono, how does sound? I have used some years ago a power amp Audiomat Duo, which was very good. BR.

 

[BenWatts]

I have to be humble in my analysis.
The phono stage I had in test at home were not satisfying at all :
- Domino ~ 200€
- Cambridge ~ 500€
- Project ~ 600€
- Clearaudio nano ~600€
- Ifi zen ~400€
- heed phono board in my amp. ~150€ (best one among previous ones).


I gained dynamics, details and a kind of pleasant listening experience. Wider space between instruments and amazing improvements on voices.
It depends on listening rooms, the whole installation, speakers/amp/cartridge/TT…

I am delighted by the current set up and this was my final purchase. Now it’s time to play my LPs.

 

[Al ears]

I have to be humble in my analysis.
The phono stage I had in test at home were not satisfying at all :
- Domino ~ 200€
- Cambridge ~ 500€
- Project ~ 600€
- Clearaudio nano ~600€
- Ifi zen ~400€
- heed phono board in my amp. ~150€ (best one among previous ones).


I gained dynamics, details and a kind of pleasant listening experience. Wider space between instruments and amazing improvements on voices.
It depends on listening rooms, the whole installation, speakers/amp/cartridge/TT…

I am delighted by the current set up and this was my final purchase. Now it’s time to play my LPs.

Glad you found something good. They can be a bit hit and miss.
Surprised the Project didn't suffice, they are usually quite good and quite often, but not always, good to aim for a manufacturer that actually makes turntables / cartridges as well.

 

[BenWatts]

It’s personal taste. I could not feel consistency, wide stage room, definition and appeared under the integrated board of my heed Obelisk SI3.
This was my reference : better or out.

By the way, the Hana SL 2 is a perfect match at home with the Audiomat 1.7 mk2