2. analog
  3. 1350950889

Next Phonostage

I'm contemplating a new Phonostage to replace my Rowland Cadence. One of the driving factors is wanting multiple inputs for multiple tonearms.

My system is currently: TW-Acustic Raven AC-1/TW10.5 tonearm/Dynavector XV-1s cart with Rowland Synergy IIi preamp, Rowland 302 power amp and Avalon Acoustics Eidolon Diamond loudspeakers.

My listening tastes are everything except rap/hip-hop. Probably 50% rock/pop, 40% Jazz and 10% Classical.

My audio characteristics preferences I value include really black backgrounds, air around images, extension and musicality. Dynamics are also a plus.

My contenders are currently:

Audio Research Ref 2 SE Phono - rave reviews, most say this gives you best attributes of solid state and tube sound combined, might be a natural transition into tubes for me

Thoress Phono Enhancer - also known as TW Acustic Phonostage; might mate well with my analog front end, flexibility in dialing in bass, mids, highs, customizable sound

Manley Steelhead - heard this in a friend's system, very nice sound, very flexible, did hear a it of tube noise

Can anyone who owns one of these phonostages or has listening experience with them give me some input and advice on what would work best with my system?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations from the audiogon community.
philb7777
pani
1,049 posts
 
Unless multiple phono inputs is a must you should look at the 47 Labs phonocube and RCM Sensor Prelude. Both are outstanding phonostages with some of the best dynamics, tone, transparency and soundstage. There is nothing that they really fall short of except that the 47 Labs doesnt have multiple loading impedances, they are great with any low impedance cartridge.
jarraa
34 posts
 
I will only speak for what I have experience with
Thoress Phono Enhancer - Most flexilble. Can have one input setup for Mono and the rest for stereo. Insanely huge soundstage, but far the biggest and widest I have ever heard. Neutral.

I know you have not asked about the Tron, but I own a Tron Seven Ultimate Phono. Its very musical and highly resolving. It's very inflexible in terms of resistive load and gain, but that simplicity, to my ears, can be heard over other designs.

If you are located in Colorado, you are more than welcome to borrow my Tron and give it a try.

-Assad
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
313 posts
 
Thomas Woschnick uses a TRON Seven phono stage in his own personal system. He doesn't use the Thoress any more at home. Read into that what you will.
philb7777 OP
401 posts
 
Thanks for responses. Multiple inputs are important as I plan on eventually having more than one tonearm. Loading is too as I want to begin experimenting with multiple carts over the years.

The Thoress is interesting. It's enhancer qualities to adjust bass, mid, treble are interesting and unique.

The Tron Seven Phono gets rave reviews but its single loading in flexibility is something that I'm shying away from.

Thanks for the offer, I live in Tulsa, OK. If I'm ever heading to CO, I may contact you Jarraa.

So far no responses on the Audio Research Ref 2 Phono SE. Interested about this one too, due to its flexibility, low noise floor and combo of best attributes of tubes and SS. Of course, that's in the reviews, so I want to see what owners think of course.

Oklahoma is barren of any high end dealers, especially for two channel. Audiogon and its members are invaluable for input such as this.
dmailer's avatar
dmailer
235 posts
 
The Dynamic Sounds Associates new Phono II has inputs for 3 tonearms and front panel switches to easily change loading. I have the original Phono I and is one of the best phono stages I have heard.
More to discover