Question Three phono stage, which one ?

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BenWatts said:
Good morning TT lovers,
I am so lost in the wide offer I have decided to save 1K.
Several testings have been done at home and I grateful for my contacts met throughout forums for organizing test sessions at home. We are inviting each other : some snacks, some drinks, some LP…

I welcomed a mate Sunday afternoon with a phono rega MK5. No improvement compared to my optional phono board. Not a bad sound at all. Details, soundstage and so on but not better than the phono board.

We swapped cables (his own cables and mine) but the results were not night and day. Another color but not better.

I never tried a super high end phono preamp on my set up. For the moment I am enjoying music with a good saving in my pocket before end of the year celebrations.
Click to expand...
That is the same result I got when I tested the Rega Fono MK5. Nice but not such a marked improvement over the Technics SL1500C built-in one.

The Simaudio Moon 110LP I landed on shortly after was better by quite some margin.
 
Can’t stop listening or reading things about phonostages.
Opportunities to get special offers on huge Phasemation EA-320 but super expensive by the way.
Another opportunity is Kora phono stage, another one is Yoshino…

No way to try it at home.
 
daytona600 said:
£25,000 tom evans phono stage , build quality is truly shocking

View attachment 10453

View attachment 10452
Click to expand...
There’s two sides to every story and Mend it Mark is not telling the whole truth.
In my opinion Tom makes as good a phono stage as any one and in the equivalent price brackets I would bet Toms would come out top.
I have the latest Mastergroove Mk4 SR and I can tell you partnered with the right equipment its truly magical, the most real/believable phono I have heard to date.
Just a thought if you had a 25k piece of Hifi equipment would you accept it back from repair with none matched electricals and glued together case work ? No neither would I.
 
And the chosen one is..

None of them.

An incredible opportunity : Audiomat Phono 1.7 mk II.
A handmade phono stage straight from the retired founder. Just to ditch the stock…


Option : black face. No silver face at home.




For all good opportunities, it has a drawback : I will have it in hand within a month. I received it at a relatives. But we will meet in a month not less.
I have the cable but …

To be continued



Found on Mutine:
MM sensitivity: 4,3 mV
  • MM impedance: 47 k𝛀
  • MM gain: 45 dB
  • MC sensitivity: 0.18 mV
  • MC impedance: 1 - 200 𝛀, self-adjusting; optimal range: 4 - 150 𝛀
  • MC gain: 72,5 dB
  • External power supply, low induction transformer 100VA
  • Power consumption: 5 W
  • Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 23 cm / 5-1/2 x 2-3/4 x 9"
  • Weight: unit 1.6 kg / 3.5 lb; power supply 1.6 kg / 3,5 lb, packed 4.5 kg / 10 lb

Note: the Mk2 version was just released in 2023; the exterior and the power supply are unchanged.










BTW: see you by June to discuss about an MC low AT, Ortofon, Dynavector …?
 
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BenWatts said:
And the chosen one is..

None of them.

An incredible opportunity : Audiomat Phono 1.7 mk II.
A handmade phono stage straight from the retired founder. Just to ditch the stock…


Option : black face. No silver face at home.




For all good opportunities, it has a drawback : I will have it in hand within a month. I received it at a relatives. But we will meet in a month not less.
I have the cable but …

To be continued



Found on Mutine:
MM sensitivity: 4,3 mV
  • MM impedance: 47 k𝛀
  • MM gain: 45 dB
  • MC sensitivity: 0.18 mV
  • MC impedance: 1 - 200 𝛀, self-adjusting; optimal range: 4 - 150 𝛀
  • MC gain: 72,5 dB
  • External power supply, low induction transformer 100VA
  • Power consumption: 5 W
  • Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 23 cm / 5-1/2 x 2-3/4 x 9"
  • Weight: unit 1.6 kg / 3.5 lb; power supply 1.6 kg / 3,5 lb, packed 4.5 kg / 10 lb

Note: the Mk2 version was just released in 2023; the exterior and the power supply are unchanged.










BTW: see you by June to discuss about an MC low AT, Ortofon, Dynavector …?
Click to expand...
Hi, Audiomat makes great HiFi. I have used tube power amp Audiomat Duo for some years, before I switched to Copland vacuum tube power amp. They make also terrific DA converters and CD transport. Do you have already this Audiomat phono? How good is it? Pls. let us know. BR.
 
Please tell me it’s not that good: one month to wait.
Already paid and arrived at a relative’s but … we cannot meet before March 28th.

I am still not convinced it will be night and day with my current device.
I can’t afford an MC for the moment.
My strategy was to invest in a long term vision phono stage to add a solid cartridge when possible.
 
BenWatts said:
Please tell me it’s not that good: one month to wait.
Already paid and arrived at a relative’s but … we cannot meet before March 28th.

I am still not convinced it will be night and day with my current device.
I can’t afford an MC for the moment.
My strategy was to invest in a long term vision phono stage to add a solid cartridge when possible.
Click to expand...
And what is your current equipment?
 
BenWatts said:
Please tell me it’s not that good: one month to wait.
Already paid and arrived at a relative’s but … we cannot meet before March 28th.

I am still not convinced it will be night and day with my current device.
I can’t afford an MC for the moment.
My strategy was to invest in a long term vision phono stage to add a solid cartridge when possible.
Click to expand...
If the founder has retired, what is the company status going forwards? Will they be able to repair in five or ten years?
 
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my current device is an optional board made by Heed in an Obelisk SI3. I have tried just a few phono stage but no one won the battle. Up to a Musical Fidelity (roughly 1000€).

The maintenance will be done by the owner directly. A warranty period has been agreed. Health as usual will set the limit.
 
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Sounds like a great choice, Ben. Indeed, I only mentioned as these things never occurred to me years ago, but now I realise that before I know it, I’ve had a piece of kit 5, 20, or 20 years!

That said, I’ve rarely had problems with anything, and even my cassette deck only needed attention after thirty odd years! They’re probably the flakiest bit of hifi in my experience.
 
You are right! It’s wise to consider maintenance according to that amount of money. Life is a gamble to me. Actually qi am not sure it’s a relevant investment due to poor quality of recent vinyls except specific ones with maestros like Kevin Gray for Blue Note Tone Poet editions or Speaker Corner Records, Analog Source within Deutsche Grammophon…

People have to think twice before buying a TT. Low investment will propose poor results compared to the first price streamer. 20€ for a random vinyl is regretfully an illusion. Mentioned LPs are at least 40€! I am looking for this one :
avishaicohen.com

Studio Live Session | Avishai Cohen

On November 23, 2024, Avishai Cohen and his Quintet gathered at the world-renowned Little Big Beat Studio for a special Studio Live Session. In the intimate ...
avishaicohen.com avishaicohen.com

Perfect mastering but 60€!

I felt in vinyl craziness but I advise my relieves not to. The amount of money to reach Qobuz quality is ridiculous compared to the huge amount for a decent vinyl installation. And every 5years I have a cartridge to change.

This will be my first real phonostage. I have in mind incredible vinyl experience but it was in auditoriums or with really rich guys with 100k€ systems + room + house (can’t call these manoirs « house »).

It’s a mistake. But if I don’t do it, il will never know how stupid I am.
 
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I can't really add anything to the "what phono stage should I buy" query, however, some years ago (maybe in the last 5 or 7 years), I bought a turntable from a guy down in Dumfries and Galloway and on arrival it turned out he had a pretty impressive collection of gear. Some really serious stuff.

He mentioned in passing that he had a Tisbury Domino phono stage. Tisbury are a tiny ongoing (hopefully!) concern of - I think - a bunch of enthusiasts who, in their product lineup, have one passive preamp and also their Domino phono preamp.

tisburyaudio.com

Domino Phono Preamp

A high performance MM/MC phono preamplifier with selectable gain settings. Made in England.
tisburyaudio.com tisburyaudio.com

I'll relate his comments here: the Tisbury isn't up there with his high end phono preamp, but, the difference between the two isn't as great as you might expect given the cost of the high end one.

Now, I'm not for one minute suggesting that the Tisbury is going to deliver what you feel you want, but at £180, you can at least dip your toe in the water and if you find it's not scratching that itch, you can sell it on at little risk and you still have the option of the phono stages you mention. Might even be fun to have a shootout between the two!
 
I tried the Domino and it was deceiving.
Cold as I could not imagine a phono could be. I sent it back.

We cannot compare the domino and the Audiomat. X10 ratio in Pricing
 
Thanks. It’s a gamble. No listening session before. Only specs, only in depths discussions with the designer/manufacturer.
Time will tell.
 
Phono stage has landed yesterday.
200h are advised by the designer to get the better results. I am still convinced my gears will adapt more than hardware.

BTW, with a spare RCA cable I had first impression to get more room between instruments but also between notes.

Several LPs spinned last night : prog rock, jazz, metal prog, some Deutsche Grammophon ones, pop, rock…

I am quite satisfied ! The results are far better than any other phono stage I tried. But not a huge gap compared to the optional phono board from heed. It’s incredible to me how a 150€ board can sound that way.
This afternoon three mates will come to listen, with cable comparison and wine drinking.

Music, wine with friends… call it a good Sunday afternoon!
 
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BenWatts said:
Phono stage has landed yesterday.
200h are advised by the designer to get the better results. I am still convinced my gears will adapt more than hardware.

BTW, with a spare RCA cable I had first impression to get more room between instruments but also between notes.

Several LPs spinned last night : prog rock, jazz, metal prog, some Deutsche Grammophon ones, pop, rock…

I am quite satisfied ! The results are far better than any other phono stage I tried. But not a huge gap compared to the optional phono board from heed. It’s incredible to me how a 150€ board can sound that way.
This afternoon three mates will come to listen, with cable comparison and wine drinking.

Music, wine with friends… call it a good Sunday afternoon!
Click to expand...
I was told that burn in for a phono stage is nonsense but who knows.
 
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BenWatts said:
Phono stage has landed yesterday.
200h are advised by the designer to get the better results. I am still convinced my gears will adapt more than hardware.

BTW, with a spare RCA cable I had first impression to get more room between instruments but also between notes.

Several LPs spinned last night : prog rock, jazz, metal prog, some Deutsche Grammophon ones, pop, rock…

I am quite satisfied ! The results are far better than any other phono stage I tried. But not a huge gap compared to the optional phono board from heed. It’s incredible to me how a 150€ board can sound that way.
This afternoon three mates will come to listen, with cable comparison and wine drinking.

Music, wine with friends… call it a good Sunday afternoon!
Click to expand...
Enjoy.
 
camcroft said:
I was told that burn in for a phono stage is nonsense but who knows.
Click to expand...
I was reading about "burn in" a while ago, about how manufacturers use that to put people off returning components if they don't immediately like them; the "burn in time" is actually just natural habituation... You get used to the sound so you start liking it.

I am not versed in the technical or engineering aspects of hi-fi components to judge whether there is anything else to it but I quite easily believe manufacturers at the very least take advantage and make a meal of it.
 
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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.
 
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