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€!

 

[daytona600]

£25,000 tom evans phono stage , build quality is truly shocking

 

[Al ears]

£25,000 tom evans cant be repaired , build quality is truly shocking


View attachment 10452

Odd because he has upgraded and / or repaired everything I have taken to him.

 

[daytona600]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RJbpFSFziI&t=318s

 

[BenWatts]

Even with one less zero, it’s still too expensive.
That one is more in my budget :

View: https://youtu.be/k9vTGqoO0wk?si=CmaQ1ghG-77ww7Tl

 

[Vincent Kars]

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

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

 

[BenWatts]

Actually : I do not know. I did not know this one.
Too many phono stage on the market.
I would like to ask why not my shortlist ?
Not good ones ? Poor quality price ratio?

They are renown : maybe easier to sell them someday.

 

[Integralista]

Actually : I do not know. I did not know this one.
Too many phono stage on the market.
I would like to ask why not my shortlist ?
Not good ones ? Poor quality price ratio?

They are renown : maybe easier to sell them someday.

Hi Ben. You have very good german Turntable Thorens TD1500. I know a bit this machine, we have compared it with version TD1600 and TD 124 "The Grandfather of hiend turntables". If you wish to stay on some simple and good mm cartridge like Ortofon 2M Bronze you need phono like Thorens MM 08(400eur). If you wish to try some good MC, than I recommend to think about Hegel V10, which you proposed or Rega Aria mk3. And there is a possibility to connect your turntable with phono preamp via XLR cable to decrease noise level. But than you need phonopreamp with xlr input. Like new Thorens mc 1600 preamp. This is just arriving to the market after several years of intensive development. Having heard new TD 1600 and new TD 124, I think this will be a real champion in its class. It is engineered and built in Germany, fully symmetrical inside-out. And I think many people will just rush to get one. In Slovakia, it is possible to order one already. A nice tip for a present under Christmas tree. BR. 😉

 

[BenWatts]

Thank you for your advice.
The latest Thorens phoko stage is a bit expensive.
The opportunity to get the Hegel V10 at1,1K€ is interesting.
Soooo many phono available on the market : Audio Analogue AAPhono for instance..

 

[Integralista]

Thank you for your advice.
The latest Thorens phoko stage is a bit expensive.
The opportunity to get the Hegel V10 at1,1K€ is interesting.
Soooo many phono available on the market : Audio Analogue AAPhono for instance..

Yes, important is how good sound you are expecting, if you plan to make some upgrade of cartridge, amp, speakers ...I agree that Thorens MC 1600 is not cheap. It is basicaly developed for their Turntables 1500, 1600, 124, new 404 and for many other branded TTs. My advice: phono like Rega Aria mk1, mk2 or mk3 used one for some 500 eur is better value than new discounted Hegel V10. You can save 600 eur for better cartridge.

 

[Integralista]

£25,000 tom evans phono stage , build quality is truly shocking

View attachment 10453

View attachment 10452

Hi, for this money, I will probably think about optical DS Cartridge + phono "equaliser". Turntable and "mechanical" cartridge has to be terrific to pair it with such phono preamp. Somethink like top Kuzma, SME, Kronos...I am dreaming now...🥰

 

[Integralista]

Actually : I do not know. I did not know this one.
Too many phono stage on the market.
I would like to ask why not my shortlist ?
Not good ones ? Poor quality price ratio?

They are renown : maybe easier to sell them someday.

Hi, I advice not to buy based on our advices but try to hear combination of your desired TT+Cartridge+Phono preamp yourself, the best at home. As for me, it took only 25 years to settle down on some prefered combination after many many changes...and lost hair, now nearly gray😂.

 

[BenWatts]

Hi, I advice not to buy based on our advices but try to hear combination of your desired TT+Cartridge+Phono preamp yourself, the best at home. As for me, it took only 25 years to settle down on some prefered combination after many many changes...and lost hair, now nearly gray😂.

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.

 

[Integralista]

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.

Yes, I agree. Go for it. This unit was also long long time in development at Hegel. Hegel put here a lot of effort to make it the right way. Something like "me too" product or just average will demolate their great image of amplification excellence. Later, pls. let us know your comments after some experience with this unit. BR.