Question Three phono stage, which one ?

[BenWatts]

Dear members,

Now it’s time to reach the higher LP experience with a solid phono stage.

3 phono stage are now selected (compact, MM + MC, built in Europe).

Hegel V10 : average compact, all settings available, super silent phono stage, wide soundstage. Quitte new, poor feedback. People who have it are delighted (as usual).

Octave Phono EQ2: super compact, more plug and play than the Hegel. Less settings but the main ones are available. Super qualitative feedbacks. Well known. Proven quality.

Lehmann Decade: not compact because of 2 units, power supply appart, wide range of settings, well known and appreciated. Proven quality.

I can get one of them for 1k to 1.4K.

TT: Thorens TD-1500 with an MM for the moment (2M Bronze)
Amp : heed Obeslisk SI3 + x2 power supply

Listening habits : Jazz (Avishai Cohen, Patricia Barber, Hiromi, Brad Mellhdau, Bill Evans…), classical music (a lot of DG), sometimes some metal (Opeth, Dream Theater).

No tube !

Which one would you recommend?
Which one do you dislike and why?

Cannot listen to them.

Thanks in advance.

Happy listenings

 

[daytona600]

Lehmann Decade
Vertere PHONO-l MkII L
Trilogy 906i
AVID Pellar
Project phono box RS2
Soundsmith MCP2

 

[BenWatts]

Thanks for your proposal. The compact ones are on the short list. No room for large ones (Vertere…) despite its incredible tech specs.

 

[Al ears]

Not heard any of them but after doing research my money would go on the Octave, or if going down the MC route the Tom Evans Microgroove X mk2

 

[Revolutions]

Yeah, I did also think Tom Evans would be worth a look for mini phono pre.

 

[Al ears]

Yeah, I did also think Tom Evans would be worth a look for mini phono pre.

Certainly, and probably a bit cheaper than the others mentioned.

 

[BenWatts]

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.

 

[Al ears]

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.

Not quite. I believe it's now sold as the Microgroove Plus X mk2.5
There is an X in it for the selectable dip switches.
Tom Evans is the nearest thing the UK has to an amplifier guru.... 🙂
Cheaper in the UK.

Tom Evans Microgroove Plus X MkII Phono Stage

Tom Evans Microgroove MkII is the latest version of Microgroove, an excellent phono stage that created a benchmark for performance at this level. This award winning "Plus" model features Lithos power regulation and also includes the "X" board for adjustable cartridge loading. The standard mains...

www.audioaffair.co.uk

 

[BenWatts]

Thanks.
I am afraid the power supply will not match.
I am located in France the Latvia solution is the cheaper for Octave, Lehmann or Hegel.

I am worried because it’s expensive. I cannot go wrong for more than 1K€!