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Stand out phono stages

This topic has been started before by others and myself as well, maybe too many times, but it is worth revisiting since the source is so very important!
So far I have had the pleasure to enjoy two worthy phono stages: the EAR 834p and the JLTI.
I have to admit they are spectacular. Obviously the record and all the equipment downstream play a role in the sound heard. In some cases I prefer the JLTI and in other cases the EAR. But neither out do the other dramatically.
What phono preamps outshine others by a big margin, those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed.
pedrillo
aporigine
36 posts
 
Pedrillo, the closest I've heard (of) as the be-all, end-all phono stage would be the Boulder 2008. Better hock the Bugatti though.
Vendetta Research ( of CTC Blowtorch fame) have received rave reviews.
cheers apo
audioquest4life
401 posts
 
I have to second the Aesthetix IO Signature, I have one with only one power supply but I have compared it to both a Pass Xono and a top ASR phono stage, and the IO is just much better than both. Of course this is on my system, my ears and my house, YMMV.
Ciao,
Audioquest4life
tom_hankins
850 posts
 
If your looking for something in the same price range as the EAR and JLTI, the Sim Audio LP5.3 has worked really wel for me in my system. I prefer over the Ayre P-5XE it replaced.
essentialaudio
1,147 posts
 
Aporigine wrote:
the closest I've heard (of) as the be-all, end-all phono stage would be the Boulder 2008. Better hock the Bugatti though.
I would agree with the latter remark. However, with only a 46 dB signal to noise ratio the Boulder's noise level would be 8 times that of a quiet phono stage such as the Einstein (dealer disclaimer) with a 76 dB figure and 15 times that of the Vendetta SCP-2T (85 dB; dealer disclaimer) as the human ear perceives it. Of course measurements are one thing; the proof is in the listening.
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Essential, Are you quoting the phono gain of the Boulder or its true S/N ratio? 46db S/N sounds impossibly bad for any commercial product, let alone one that costs as much as the Boulder.
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