Anyone compare budget phono oft recomended?

I have owned the Gram Amp 2SE, Black Cube, MF XLP with MF XPSU and Ault power supplies, Creek OBH8 and OBH8SE, Cambridge 640P, Acurus P10, Shure M64, Bottlehead Seduction, AES/Cary PH1 and a few others (thankfully not all at the same time).

But it really doesn't matter which I like, what are you looking for?

It is easy for me to say that the underachievers in the group are the Cambridge, Black Cube, Acurus and Creek OBH8. YMMV and probably will.

HIFICRITIC does comparison tests and in a recent issue tested the Lehmann Black Cube Statement, which got a rating of 37 on their scale, the Musical Fidelity V-LPS, which got 34 [higher with upgraded PS] , and the Sutherland 20/20, which scored 40. The last is out of the budget range but I include it for comparison purposes. These are quite good scores, better than 2 of the Slee units did in an earlier test and considerably higher than the PS Audio [15]. Complete ratings can be seen on their web site.

I have a PS Audio GCPH in one room,and a Steelhead in another. Have A/B'd them side by side numerous times. What you pay for in the Manley is superior enunciation of individual instruments. It rocks with violins, sax, voices etc. Imaging is near equal, the Manley has better depth, the PS Audio more concise and stable horizontal placement. The Manley has a more liquid mid and high range with a flatter bass response. The PS Audio sounds like it has a db or two less around 110hz. Very slight edge to the Manley for punch/dynamics, but it's pretty close.

That said there have been plenty of times I've been perfectly happy listening to the PS Audio. It's pretty remarkable for the price.

As some may remember from other threads, I too have a GCPH. I have heard many phono pre's and I would concur with Duaneadam that the GCPH is quite something at it's price point and I got it on sale so it was even cheaper. The reticence at 110 idea is interesting. I am currently listening/modding a JD9 because the GCPH is not as warm as I would like. I will say that in my setup the GCPH is very detailed yet not harsh in the upper highs. Probably in some systems that may tip negatively as my NAD M3 is not the fastest/most detailed integrated. But I knew that when I bought it.

I wonder if the HIFICRITIC guy got a bad sample or they made him mad.

Take it EZ,
Robert

The standard project phono box is a very good performer for less than 2 bills...behaved like a much more pricey pre....transparent, fast, with punchy bass...a touch lean and a bit clinical for some....but one could do far worse...ck it out