Phono Stages

I hear you.

I'm not a fan of "halfway" stopgap purchases because they will just send you upgrading again not much later. I'd rather advise OP get something cheap (like the Art I recommended above) and save for what they really want.

My 2 cents.

Here are some quick exchange rate calculations:

EGV, VAT removed, basic power supply = 603.88 Canadian

Reflex M, VAT removed, basic power supply = 758.36 Canadian

Those are close to the upper end of the stated budget but do not include shipping or local Canadian customs taxes, if there are any. OP would need to research that - I'm guessing there is a website in Canada that covers it. There is also a small GS forum discount for members that ranges from 5-10%. Not a huge deal, but worth using given the current exchange rate with Canada.

 

schiit mani
Pro ject phonobox ds
Art dj
Mufi lx v90

 

You could always look at the Parks Audio Puffin, Shannon does good work

 

I bought the Vincent PHO-701 a few months ago and am VERY pleased. I rolled in an old Raytheon blackplate 12au7 from 1957. Great sound across the entire range and huge soundstage!

 

Search the forum for Lounge LCR III.

 

Still coming in at around $1000 CDN with Psu 1

 

Right, you always buy the PSU-1 later. That's what I did.

 

Soundstage Fine Audio in Waterloo ont has a Slee Revelation for 800$...great guy and Canadian dollars

 

Revelation is MC?

 

It's a revelation m....so MM i believe...also does high output MC..check it out on graham slee's website...pretty flexible...and of course Graham Slee's neutrality and transparency.

 

A Revelation M is, AFAIK, the same thing as a Reflex M, except it has extra switches in the front for old records with pre-RIAA EQ. It can play back a standard RIAA record also.

 

Sounds right

 

Just a nice phono pre-amp with a little flexibility

 

Audio Technica VM Series and VM95 Series MMs are 100-200pF
Sumiko Oyster series MM are 100-200pF
Goldring E series MM are 100-200pF
Goldring 10xx series MM are 150-200pF
Music Hall Mojo MM is 150-200pF
LP Gear Carbon Fidelity and AT95xx MM are 100-200pF
Ortofon 2M Series are 150-300pF

A 1 meter low-capacitance RCA cable is likely about 100pF. That leaves you 100pF for the input of your phono stage to not exceed 200pF. So judging from what MMs are common and currently available, they need a low capacitance RCA cable and a low capacitance phono input to keep the frequency response within the manufacturer’s spec. Having too much capacitance is audible and is a very important consideration when choosing complimentary phono components.

The Ortofon OM Series are 200-500pF so there are some that can tolerate high capacitance, but they’re dominated by lower capacitance models by the most popular brands currently making MM.

 

Have you looked at a Cornet3? Gets you upgraded to tubes.

 

Fair points but they do charge about 42 pounds shipping to my area. Customs usually allows inexpensive items go but being the price it is 13% tax would be tacked on as well.

 

Forum seems to love it. Very interesting.

 

Not everyone thinks it's good.

 

I don't remember what I paid for shipping, but it was not unreasonable considering it was an international express package delivered in 3 days once the unit was built. I get that after tacking on shipping and tax it may be a no-go given that the price is already borderline given your budget.

Do you have any local dealers that would allow you to in-home audition something in your price range with a deposit? The worst thing would be to be stuck with a unit you don't like and can't return after buying. Not sure what return policies are like in Canada. Here in the U.S. we have 60 day return policies through retailers like Crutchfield...they don't carry everything though...

 

That is also true. I wonder if it's due to Robert being a well-liked member of the forum or if it's that good.

 

There are a few big box places but not many that carry small brands like GS, Lounge, etc

 

Perhaps you right. For 2M series I found extra 200pF capacitance works to advantage, but I used very low cap BJ cables.

 

Used Rotel RQ970 - absolute bargain, one of the best MM stages I've heard
the HO MC is excellent too.

 

stretch for a lehmann black cube se ii. blows away everything on your list. you will not be sorry. next best is the tube box ds 2, very good but not in the league of the lehmann. avoid the mani.

 

Agree on Lehmann black cube ! ASR mini basis Exclusive has the same league.