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How much difference will a phono stage upgrade make?

For the past couple of years I’ve slowly been upgrading my audio equipment. I currently have a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated amplifier, an EAT C-Sharp TT with an Ortofon Quintet Black MC cartridge, and Tannoy Revolution XT 8F speakers. The weak link at this point, it would seem, is my phono stage, which is a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS. All things considered, my system sounds really good to my ears, but I can’t help but wonder what a phono stage upgrade would bring to the table. I’m looking at the Manley Chinook Special Edition MK II, which is a big step up in terms of cost, but I wonder how much better it will actually sound. Has anybody made a similar upgrade, and was there a marked uptick in sound quality?
12hz
bpoletti
1,004 posts
 
Save your money and get a Herron Audio VTPH-2a.  No need to upgrade when you have the best.  The Herron is the last stop on the upgrade path.
inna
5,245 posts
 
Anyone compared directly Allnic 1201 or 1202 with the Manley and Sutherland phonos ? Yeah, comparing tube stages with solid state may create additional difficulties, can be just very different.
I am asking because I have Acoustech designed by Sutherland and thinking ahead. Almost certainly will go after tube phono, almost..
dontbuymp3s's avatar
dontbuymp3s
6 posts
 
If you like the sound of the Pro-ject can I suggest the Pro-ject Phono Box RS with the battery PSU. I use it with a Quintet Black S giving excellent results. Don't hear it with the standard PSU you will be disappointed.
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
146 posts
 
I have a NAD M12 pre/dac, a Technics SL-1200G TT with an Ortofon Quintet Black MC cartridge, and Tannoy Definition 8 dcti speakers.  The sound was quite good using the M12's phono input.  I purchased a Parasound JC3 Jr and the sound is sooo much better.
chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
I think a huge upgrade can be made if you will replace a tube phono stage with some decent new generation SS phono stage. Look for Gold Note PH-10 with external PSU if you want to try the most versatile SS phono stage with two inputs for whatever type of cartridges. The MC is fully adjustable, this is really a new concept, you will not find anything like that from any other manufacturers, and the price is so nice! Gold Note is user friendly like no other phono stage, build quality is superb, design is amazing. Sound quality is very impressive. Simply a must have ! 
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