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Looking for a Phono pre around 1K

Hey all,
My system,
VPI hw-19 mkIII, premier mmt arm, Ortofon bronze 2m, Yaqin 100b KT-88 push pull, Focal 1008be2
I've had :
Cambridge audio 640p that I modded (power supply, opamp sockets, ) 
Sound: ok , not much soundstage or detail
Yaqin ms23b tube. 
Sound; more soundstage, better delineation of vocals and room ambience, still sounds a bit muffled/recessed.

I know those are on the inexpensive side, but after upgrading my speakers to the Focals. I'm hearing hints of things in the recordings that, I'm positive, with a better phono pre could be more fleshed out.

I listen to mainly rock/pop (Bowie, Stones, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Carly Simon, jazz)

If I could stay under 1K that would be great.

I'd like more definition, without losing the sweetness of tubes, I know I don't have any tube stages on there but…
I'd like the ability to use a MC cart as well 9I have a Denon 160)
My list so far:
Musical Fidelity - MX-VYNL Mm/Mc
Sutherland - Insight Phono Preamplifier
Musical Surroundings - Nova II
PS Audio Phono Converter (would be great to rip the records)

Any Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

thanks
mdelrossi1

Showing 2 responses by darkstar1

darkstar1
180 posts
 
Out of the stages you mentioned I have experience with two of the Brands.

Sutherland - Insight Phono Preamplifier
Musical Surroundings - Nova II

I own the Musical Surroundings Nova Phonoema I (1200new/500 used). I also have heard and compared directly with the Sutherland PHD (3k new/used 1500).

Honestly the MS stood up pretty well to the more expensive Sutherland. The MS is much more neutral and balanced throughout. It had more of a tight snappy bass. 

Sutherland was warmer and had a more round bass that sounds a little slower. It did seem to bring voices slightly out of the mix more so than the MS. It might of had a tiny bit more detail.

I have also compared the MS to a 3k Ayre phono. Let me just say the MS phono is a lot of bang for the buck and is quiet as some of these phono stages double the price. It also has more loading options and can handle just about any cartridge. Further I don't think the battery adds that much performance for me or others (from the forums I have read).

It soundstaging, loading options and quietness is right up there with 3k units. I think you may get a little bit more detail and maybe a tonal balance you like more going with 3k units but it really didn't seem worth the price to me. Just my thoughts. 
darkstar1
180 posts
 
perazzi28

I might have the sutherland model wrong. It was a 3k retail unit. I agree it is revealing/detailed. In fact I thought it has a small bit over the detail of the Musical Surrounding phono. I also do think the sutherland is warmer than than the MS. 

It was not a knock. I think the sutherland has a more traditional tube "sound" while the MS has more of a good SS presentation. I do think the Sutherland did have some qualities that exceed the MS but I do see the diminished returns starting to come into play. 
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