Best value phono $1-1.5k

From my experience over the last 6 months, I would say Vacuumstate JTLI is easily the best value in this range without any hesitation.

Over the past months I have heard the following ones in direct comparison to the JLTI:

- Wright WPP200C
- Trichord Dino
- Dynavector P75 II
- EAR 834P Deluxe
- Sutherland Ph.D.
- Aesthetix Rhea
- Mac C1000

The following I heard many times but not in direct comparison
- Artemis
- EAR 912
- PS Audio GCPH
- Tom Evans Groove

Cartridges heard through the JLTI so far:
- Denon DL103R
- Lyra Argo (i)
- ZYX Universe
- Grado Sonata
- Dynavector DV20X

So far it is my top pick regardless!! of price to my very surprise. I actually didn't want to believe that this one is that good - thus the long list of opponents. Also, a friend who has heard most of the above will wholeheartedly agree. It depends a little on what you are looking for - the EAR834 and Wright WPP200C are very good if you are looking for a smooth midrange oriented, full sound. The JLTI is very neutral but most importantly has more resolution, better attack and decay, flow, image layering, separation between instruments, and realism that I have not heard from any phonostage so far. The Ph. D., Artemis, and EAR912 have slightly different strengths and it would come down to preference there.

The last version of the JLTI is very flexible with loading as it uses RCA plugs that are easy to make yourself. Gain is closer to 60dB in the MC setting and 40dB in MM -simple but effective. No capacitive loading changes though.

There are a few that I would still like to hear, e.g. the Pass Xono, K&K, ASR Basis Exclusive, but I guess they may be out of your range.

Just my experience though...

Rene

Rene, thanks for the recommendation, the JLTI sounds interesting. I did a bit of searching and it appears to have gone up in price a bit.(?) The website has 2 versions, one black one with the RCAs on one side, and another with the silver faceplate. Which was the one that you are using?

ASR mini Basis with chip upgrade, head and shoulders better then the Sim Lp5.3...

Are you sure that the JLTi 60db of gain is going to be enough for the low output MC cartridges you are considering?

There were a couple of different versions (prices have been pretty stable over the last three versions) and Roger Gordon has done a nice job describing the physical differences between the different ones:

Positive Feedback review of JLTI

Also, Jay at Audio Revelations can answer some question to comparisons between the JLTI, ASR Mini Basis, and Sim LP5.3 since he had all of them. The ASR seems interesting. There have been some comments on comparing the big ASR Basis Deluxe phono and the JLTI in the Tone Audio Review (Issue 11). That issue also has a review of the Simaudio LP 5.3. Interestingly Tone Audio picked the JLTI over the LP5.3 for an award a few issues later for value for for money.

The JLTI was supposed be a kind of a stop-gap for me until I could get a top phono - now I am not so sure I will see improvements. The only real downside of the JLTI is looks - it doesn't look like it could compete with the big ones.