Question for the seasoned analogue audiophile.

[Be Quiet...Listen]

Any one veteran and well seasoned analogue audiophile care to chime in on this one. 
Is there a plain out mythical, legendary phonostage or SUT that you’ve either had and can verify it’s grail status or one you’ve simply lusted after for decades? That piece that keeps you awake a night? 
 

Curious to hear you guys and your experience and/or feelings! 

Edited April 18, 2023 by Be Quiet...Listen

[aertex]

A good question and wonder where this will take us. I'm all eyes and ears. I certainly dont qualify as a seasoned analogue audiophile but keen to hear from others who are. There is a piece on my list but I will save it to see what others rate highly on their lustful lists.

[Silver Audiophile]

Oh boy! I know not the answer, however I know who does @xlr8or

 

 

 

[aussievintage]

I like the phono stage published in the RCA Tube Manual years ago.  

 

 

With some simple modifications, such as output buffers, and minor tweaks to the eq filters I suspect, it has been used in some really nice commercial units, such as the Hagerman Bugle.

https://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopify.com/collections/phono-preamps/products/cornet3

 

It is a very simple circuit that just works delightfully.  I have built quite a few based on it, and listen through some of them every day.

 

 

[HdB]

The IK "Tron 7" is definitely worth a look ...

[marcusD]

Acoustic Plan phonomaster SE.

strangely I managed to briefly own one last week, it came in a batch with some Shindo cables I needed, I had to move it on due to financial constraints and didn’t even hook it up because I didn’t want to hear what I was missing 

[TemaadAudio]

Well I have one & not found anything better & it's not expensive either.

It's the AudioKarma HypnoToads (fellow ASSY) AD797 MC dual mono phono amp with adjustable gain from 50 to about 68dBm depending on MC cart. Also adjustable impedance. from 40 to 1000 ohms.

Needs a little upgrade by using V6's OP-Amps in second stage with Cornell Dublier output capacitors. You can get better, but you will be paying in excess of $150 / piece, 2 needed.

 

The power supply developed for this MC phono amp is about the quietest active P/S I have ever encountered. I have tried it again pure battery supply & there simply was no difference.

 

I play my Accurphase AC-2 through it (without step up device) which has an output of 0.18mv & it is supper quite.

 

Cheers

 

[N@qOyQ@tSi]

My Holy Grail would without doubt be:

 

Yamaha HX-10000 Centennial Edition Phono Preamplifier Would love one for my GT-2000X rare birds never seen one in the flesh.

 

See for more info and photos

 

https://tmraudio.com/old-products/yamaha-hx-10000-centennial-edition-phono-preamplifier-mint-in-factory-box/

[abelb]

The Vendetta SCP-2 is one of those legendary components that all things that come after constantly get compared to.

[rossb]

The Klyne Series 7 was one those legendary phono stages that I had wanted for decades. When I finally got one, it was very disappointing.

 

Likewise the Connoisseur Definition phono, another legend that did not live up to the hype when I borrowed one.

 

In the current market, the Ypsilon  and Tron Nemesis are the two I would be very curious to hear, and I suspect both would be stunning, particularly the Tron.

 

 

[Be Quiet...Listen]

  On 24/04/2023 at 5:03 PM, rossb said:

The Klyne Series 7 was one those legendary phono stages that I had wanted for decades. When I finally got one, it was very disappointing.

 

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We share the same experience here too Ross. If it sounded as good as it looked it would be a winner. Unfortunately, not the case! 

[Bisguittin]

I own this highly regarded Audio Synthesis Passion which is utterly sublime in combination with a Koetsu Black cartridge. 

[crtexcnndrm99]

Interested that there seems to be such little consensus on this one! 
 

Purely aspirational, the multi box and dual mono Phasemation ones look superb. 
 

I suppose we settle with a ‘good enough’ phono stage and turn focus to

other parts of the system. 
 

If we were discussing turntables, it would be easier to come up with names such as the Kenwood L-07D etc…. 
 

Wdit: BTW my work horse remains the VTA PH-16, of which there is the upgraded version offered by Don Sachs I believe. 

Edited April 25, 2023 by crtexcnndrm99

[HdB]

When you see the lack of system synergy in the power side (Power amp, Speakers, Room Acoustics, etc) is it any wonder that even more "guesswork" is attached to phono carts, stylii, arms, TTs, resonance controls, transformers, preamps, impedance loading, cables, etc

 

"Good Enough" is about as close as many people get before running out of patience, $s, enthusiasm, etc - surprisingly, it's often enough to get a pretty good musical result despite some 'technical contradictions'!

[aussievintage]

  On 25/04/2023 at 7:47 AM, HdB said:

When you see the lack of system synergy in the power side (Power amp, Speakers, Room Acoustics, etc) is it any wonder that even more "guesswork" is attached to phono carts, stylii, arms, TTs, resonance controls, transformers, preamps, impedance loading, cables, etc

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That's the sort of quandary you end up in when you subscribe to the some of the less-than-scientific notions that exist in this hobby.  

 

  On 25/04/2023 at 7:47 AM, HdB said:

surprisingly, it's often enough to get a pretty good musical result despite some 'technical contradictions'!

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and that's because of those "notions".     It actually isn't all as difficult as some make out, and  it should not be surprising that it's relatively easy to get good results.

 

[vivianbl]

Can’t say that I’ve lusted after a phono stage of late, but decades ago I lusted after a dual mono VTL Ultimate Preamplifier, that Arthur Salvatore had written about in his high end Reference component reviews. In fact, he still had that on a high grading when I looked up his updates about 2016. He rated the phono stage very highly. 
I originally had the VTL super delux preamplifier that I picked up preowned in the 1990s and really liked it. My lust for an Ultimate was satiated in the early 2000s when, Trevor Lees (Trevor Lees Audio in Kew at the time) was able to wrangle one for me from a customer of his. I was ecstatic!

 

I loved the looks, the tight fitting and messy layout of its internal components and of course the super SQ. It formed the basis of my main listening system till a couple of years ago, mainly for the moving coil Phono stage.  I was using Linn LP12/ Ekos1 with cartridge Linn Troika, then Dynavector XXMK2 and later Kiseki Purple Heart NS

The Preamp is now about 35 yrs old. I had it serviced about 4 years ago and had out of spec capacitors, resistors and some valves replaced by a technician familiar with these VTLs.

I corresponded with Arthur Salvatore at that time to get advice about couple of the modifications that he had suggested would further improve the SQ. But in the end stayed with the original design and specs. Sounded super after the refresh.
 

A couple of years ago auditioned another recently released phono stage that had rave reviews in Stereophile and other audio forums. It may have measured great, but was no match for the Ultimate in SQ terms in my system. Some photos from a couple of years ago in my main system.

Couple of years ago went for an Audion SUT into Audion MM phono pre that is my main system now.

The VTL Ultimate Pre now adorns my sideboard,  so I see it everyday! Occasionally open it up and peer inside. The look of love!

[TemaadAudio]

Problem with phono amps is it is so dependent on what you have before it & what are your musical tastes.  If you look at the reviews below

ATHUR SALVATORE REVIEW IN PHONO - http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-PhonoStages.html

 

Athur places the Sukura phono amp very highly, that phono amp costs about $80 to build & has a least 3 clones, all better that the original as the Sukura guys used stock parts, nothing special at all, My AD797 phono amp was an upgrade developed of the 47Labs unit, by HypnoToad.

 

That's the u[side down world we live in, certainly the my clone is very good, but nowhere near as good as my hot-rodded AD797 P/A.

Also if you have the money (most people do not) then salesmen are very persuasive about this is ''The Best''.

 

Cheers Derek 

[Be Quiet...Listen]

When I started this thread I had just caught wind of this not-so-little fella. 
 

Legend has stirred around this SUT for decades. Sold in such few numbers and to owners that do not move them on, it was difficult to find much conversation or banter online. 
I guess the proof will be in the pudding. 

 

Original owner. Original box. Both sets of ‘made for’ IC-1 interconnects. 
35lbs and 19” wide! 
 

Fun times ahead. 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Be Quiet...Listen

[abelb]

Awesome what is it??

[marcusD]

16kg SUT?

do tell

[Be Quiet...Listen]

Expressive Technologies SU-1. 
 

[marcusD]

  On 05/07/2023 at 10:45 AM, Be Quiet...Listen said:

Expressive Technologies SU-1. 
 

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very cool, never heard of it until now

[N@qOyQ@tSi]

Another very decent phono is the 1977 Sony TA-E88 preamp that holds two phonos My local hifi repair expert said he 'hates Sony's' because of their non-existant dealer support and generally does not service them due to difficulty obtaining parts, however when he did some maintance on my TA-E88 last year he stated it was 'lovely'  

[cafe67]

  On 24/04/2023 at 10:43 AM, abelb said:

The Vendetta SCP-2 is one of those legendary components that all things that come after constantly get compared to.

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that one does seem to get mentioned a lot 

[Willco]

Ah- a good old thread fromTravis-great to see the Vendetta mentioned, unquestionably one of the benchmark Phono stages ever produced--I've owned two of them and can add that recommendation unreservedly.

 

Good Listening,

Willco