Ray Samuels F117 Nighthawk vs. PS Audio GCPH


I had my mind set to purchase the PS Audio GCPH as my first phono to get back into analog. I have a Technics D202 TT, Mccormack DNA-1 amp and Herron VTSP 1A line stage.

The 6mooons review on the nighthawk is stellar and seems to have the same versitality as the GCPH. I am a little hesistant because the nighthawk is battery powered. Ray makes a XR2 electric powerd unit which is slightly higher than budget (1k)..

Are there others to consider in this price point? Sutherland ph3????????
dvdgreco
I'm using the F-117 Nighthawk with the Dynavector DV-20X Low MC cart and the combo sounds great!
I have listened to the Nighthawk with a number of cartridges and it has performed very well in my system. It has a large presentation that never gets restricted in size during symphonic crescendos. I would describe it to have a full rich sound, not colored but on the full side of neutral. It has worked well in evaluating a number of NOS MM cartridges on my Black Widow tonearm. If I did not know it was an opamp based unit I would swear I was listening to tube unit with a stiff power supply behind it.
I'm still enjoying my Nighthawk/DV-20XL combo. I haven't listened to anything else in the price range and my only other phonostage comparison would be with a Cambridge Audio 640P.