2. analog
  3. 141608-4121

OPINIONS PLEASE - Phonostage for new Rega P8/Apheta 2 - Sutherland 20/20 or Allnic 1201

OPINIONS PLEASE - Phonostage for new Rega P8/Apheta 2 - Down to Sutherland 20/20 or Allnic 1201 phonostages. Can anyone tell me anything about either? Would consider other in this price new/used but these seem pretty good.

I have got down to these two mainly for price (under $2k) and where my simple research has led. 

I am big into Digital and want to play around with some decent vinyl.

Nothing crazy but good enough that my Bricasti MISE w/Built in Ethernet Media Player doesn't blow it away so I am trying to put together a decent enough vinyl front end that will sound good enough that I want to use it. 


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Background:

I recently ordered new speakers that should be in a few weeks. Time for me to set up my vinyl front end to prepare for them. I am trading my Magico S5 for S5 MK II. 

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Room is 12 x 23 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 15 Foot a peak - Set on long wall

https://www.flickr.com/photos/35630112@N05/46190013771/in/dateposted-public/


Music: Assorted Music no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else.

Likes: Transparency- Delicate-linear-Dynamic-Fast - high resolution-microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless - I know there is a fine Line here but I'm looking to walk it and come out on the right side - but real see through into the music with some sheen and dabs of warmth - transparent to the source because I love my DAC - image and sound stage lover - tight bass - hate flab - like speed and transparency as my selection choices might speak to

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From Audiogon Virtual System page:
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5160


Associated Equipment:

> Digital:
- DAC: Bricasti Design M1 Special Edition DAC 
- Digital Transport: Bricasti M12 Built-In Ethernet Network Player

> Analogue:
- Turntable: Rega Planer 8
- Tonearm: Rega RB880 Tonearm
- Cartridge: Rega Alpheta 2 MC

> Preamplification:
- Linestage: Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 Reference Preamplifer 
- Phonostage:TBD

> Amplification:
- Power Amplifier: Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier

> Loudspeakers:
- Transducers: Magico S5 MKII Reference Loudspeakers MCast Pewter, (Trading S5 MK I)

> Power Supplies:
- Linear Power Supplies: Uptone Audio JS-2 (2-Rail) Linear Power Supply, The Linear Solution LPS-912 Network Switch Proprietary Linear Power Supply, Breeze Audio 12v Linear Power Supplies (2-units),
- Switching Mode Power Supplies: iFi Audio iPower 9V DC
- Turntable Power Supply: Rega Neo PSU 

> AC Power:
- Conditioning: PS Audio Noise Harvesters (6) 
- Outlets: Furutech GTX (R), Oyaide R1 Beryllium (2),
- Surge / Spike Protection: Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula
- Power Strip: PS Audio Juice Bar MK II

> Audio Network Server / Hardware / Software:  
- Servers: Small Green Computer SonicTransporter,
- Storage: WD My Cloud 12v 2TB NAS, 
- PC: Qotom 190S Dual-Port - Baytrail J1900 12v Micro-PC
- Network Switch: The Linear Solution OCXO Audiophile Switch,
- Audio Software: Sonic Orbiter,  ROON 1.4

> Cables:
- Interconnect Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 2.0M, Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 1.5M, Darwin Ascension RCA 0.5M, 
- Speaker Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion 2.5M Spades,
- AC Cables : Kubala-Sosna Emotion AC 2.0M (2) Kubala-Sosna Elation AC 1.5M, Zu Event MK I AC 1.5M (3)  
- DC Cables: Gent Audio Custom DC Cables (Canare/Oyaide) (6), Upton Audio DC Cable 1M 
- USB: Audiocadabra Ultimus3 Double-Head Silver USB Cable, Curious Regen link, Uptone Audio USPCB A/B USB 
- Digital: Black Cat Silverstar 75 BNC/RCA 1.0M, MIT Terminator-3 RCA 1.0M, DH Labs Silver Sonic D-75 RCA 1.0M (2), Tara Labs Prism 100dx-1 Tosilink 1M.
- HDMI: AudioQuest Chocolate 1.0M, AudioQuest Forest 3.0M,
- Ethernet: AudioQuest Vodka RJ/E 1.0M, Cardas Clear RJ/E 0.5M, The Linear Solution Custom RJ/E 1.5M.

> Sundries / Accessories:
- Audio Racks: Solid Tech Hybrid 3+3 Shelves Audio Rack w/White Shelves and Silver Pillars, Solid Tech Rack of Silence Amplifier Stand
- Isolation Devices: SRA Ohio Class Isolation Platform, Symposium Acoustics Svelte Plus Isolation Platform, Isoacoustic Iso-pucks (8), Red Dragon Audio Ceramic Cable Elevators (4), EdenSound Brass Vibration Weights (8), Bright Star IsoNode Footers,
- Re-clock/Tester: DROK USB Multi-meter/Tester, Wyred 4 Sound Remedy Femto.

- Fsmithjack








128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
luckytage
5 posts
 
@  fsmithjack Trust me I like the Manley gear.

I’ve owned a half dozen of their components. The SE I think is around $3K today. Trying to stay around $2k but if there was a used one for $2k id sure consider it.

I paid a couple of months ago less than $2200 shipped. Give Upscale Audio a call and tell them it's your first time buying something from them and they will take care of you. This was out of my price as well I was wanted to be in the $1000 range but I am glad I bought it because it is so such a great phono preamp the only down side for me trying to run two TT's with it can get quite frustrating but as long as the Cartridge uses the same load setting your okay other than the cable swap is my only grip..
bpoletti
1,004 posts
 
There is no reason to buy any phono stage other than a Herron VTPH-2A.  Might as well buy the best rather than trying to decide when to upgrade to a Herron VTPH-2A.

Allnic is OK, but not in the same league as a Herron.
agrippa
32 posts
 
I beg to differ and think the Allnic is on par with the Herron in terms of sound quality.  I find the Herron a touch more neutral with the stock tubes, but that entirely a subjective matter, and it is of course more flexible in that if offers an infinite variety of loading options.  That said, the Allnic is certainly flexible enough for my needs and with 70dB gain it works wonderfully, and silently, with my Benz Ebony TR @ 0.12mV.

So if you don't need the infinite flexibility of the Herron, the Allnic is certainly just as good in terms of detailing, scale, three-dimensionality and whatever else one might mention.
In my book the Chinook is not  in the same league, nor is the 20/20 despite it being an excellent phono stage.  Technically the latter is no doubt excellent and dead silent, but I find it lacking in emotion and involvement in comparison.  I also prefer my H-1202 over the EAR 324 and Luxman EQ-250.
fsmithjack's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
fsmithjack OP
605 posts
 
This is great info. The type I was hoping to get. 

Thank you so much! Keep it coming please! 

So there are no Herron out there for sale. Sure that product keeps coming up everywhere but if there are none out then it’s a bummer.

i would call Kevin deal but he knows me. I’ve made a bunch of tube purchases from them. I will ask him for a good price though.

Most everyone says the Allnic 1201 is better then the Chinook SE.

Do we all agree on this? 

It sounds like the Herron is the best and then the Allnic then Sutherland then Chinook? 

What do you guys think? 


fsmithjack's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
fsmithjack OP
605 posts
 
Yeti42

Thanks - I actually had a chance to buy the Aria for $650 which I thought was a great deal but everyone told me is was just ok and the Manley, Allnic, Sutherland blew its doors off. 

Im looking for best sound I can get for about $2000

So fat breaks out like this:

Allnic - $1750
20/20 - $1,900 
Manley SE - $2,200 - maybe 
Herron - $3,500ish 



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