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List of top phono preamps best

I know I have pounded away at this topic but i'm on a mission. I am looking for a phono preamp preferably with balanced circuit and output and want something that approaches the best. I am very fond of the sound of the ear834p which is in my system now, maybe this can offer an idea of what kind of sound I appreciate. The list I have compiled is: BOULDER (out of reach), AESTHETIX IO SIG.. (too many tubes and runs too hot), MANLEY STEELHEAD (a serious contender), LAMM LP2(another contender), PASS XONO (in the ball park), EAR 324 (another serious choice), BAT VK P10(also excellent), CONRAD JOHNSON PREMIER15, ZYX ARTISAN, AUDIO RESEARCH REF or ph?, AESTHETIX RHEA(was considering), ASR BASIS EXCLUSIVE, CARY PH301 or 302, LINN LINTO, HERRON VTPH-1, TOM EVANS THE GROOVE, ART AUDIO, WHEST PS.20. And there are more. What would be your top picks under $3000. used, preferably with balanced?
pedrillo
agaffer
256 posts
 
If having balanced circuitry is really important to you then you can scratch most of the ones you listed off your list. I owned the Groove, for a year, I demoed the Rhea for 2 weeks, I owned the ARC PH-5 for about 6 months, I demoed the ARC PH-7 for one week, the Steelhead for 2 weeks.
I liked the PH-5 the best but, that's just me. And you can get it new for way under what you are willing to spend. It is better sounding than their preveious Ref (which sold for what? $10,000?) and I think it is as good as the new PH-7 which is their new Ref.
dmailer's avatar
dmailer
235 posts
 
I would suggest checking out the Artemis phono stage. It is not avalable balanced but is a great sounding phono stage. In my system it was a significant upgrade from the Hagerman Trumpet which it replaced.
jafox
1,348 posts
 
I have answered a few such threads as this and so here I go again. As many have already commented, if you want balanced, most of your list is not going to work. The BAT and the two Aesthetix models are the balanced units here.

Yes, the Io has many tubes but it does not run hot. Small signal tubes generate very little heat....even 16 of them. And the two EL34's in the PS are not a heat issue. If the Io Sig is too costly, then consider the Std Io.
bryceeboy
115 posts
 
A real sleeper that no one has really heard but will compete with anything you mentioned is the Electron Images MCP-1. Great with carts as low as .3mv. I have tried alot of what you mentioned in the sub $5-6K range and the Electron was far and away the better phono stage. I see there is one for sale on Agon (no relationship). This is what has so far replaced my beloved Counterpoint SA-9 (Magnum Opus).
Good luck.
jtimothya
551 posts
 
The Artemis Labs PL-1 is another for your list.
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