What´s your phono preamp?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Airbus, Nov 15, 2017.

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  1. Dream On

    Dream On Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canada
    Synthesis Brio. Looks like the one below, only mine has the piano black finish around the sides rather than the red.

    Very nice unit. Made in Italy, 2 x 12ax7 tubes, separate power supply. MM or HOMC. A huuuuuge step up over my old Cambridge Audio (640P I think was the model).

    Been considering upgrading to the CI Audio PEQ•1 MKII to get MC capability with adjustable loading, and being SS it might have a lower noise floor (not that this is an issue today).

    Or, I may just stick given I can't fault the Brio's performance. That, or I've kicked around the idea of taking it to a local tech to see what upgrades might make sense.


    [​IMG]
     
    sturgus, bluemooze and Shiver like this.
  2. putz

    putz Forum Resident

    Location:
    NJ
    Zesto Andros 1.2 Replaced a Sutherland PH3D that played way above its price point.

    I replaced the stock JJ 12ax7 tubes with 2 each Mullard and Telefunken Fisher branded tubes.

    I also considered the Pass X15, but found a great deal on a used Zesto and pulled the trigger.

    If money was less of an object, a Merrill Jens would be my choice.


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    sturgus, bluemooze, BD2665 and 4 others like this.
  3. taynos

    taynos Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Monica, CA
    [​IMG]
     
  4. weavzy

    weavzy Needle Dropper

    Lounge Lcr mkIII. Its incredible
     
  5. andybeau

    andybeau Forum Resident

    Location:
    Coventry, UK
    Musical Fidelity MX-VNYL Phono Stage
    [​IMG]
     
  6. chrism1971

    chrism1971 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Glos, UK
    Project Phono Box RS.

    [​IMG]

    This ousted the Rega Aria and before that the Creek Wyndsor, both great stages. The XLR inputs on this one I think must make a difference but not sure why - earthing integrity I guess, since the 'balanced' aspect stops at the RCA outputs.

    Thinking about trying the new Exposure XM3 one as it would match my Exposure setup (DAC, pre and monos), but I like the small form factor of the Project. Not the wall-wart...
     
    bluemooze likes this.
  7. Marshall_SLX

    Marshall_SLX Rega P9/RB2000

    Has anyone used a Consonance Reference 40 i was thinking of getting one to compare to my Rega Aria
     
  8. PaulM

    PaulM Forum Resident

    Emotiva USP-1. Great rig to have the 2.2 channel and 5.2 channel integrated into one system via the home theatre bypass function.
     
  9. Jimi Floyd

    Jimi Floyd Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pisa, Italy
    Buy that Consonance with confidence. I don't know anything about it, but I have experienced the Rega Aria for two or three months and when you get rid of it it's never too late.
     
  10. Dozey

    Dozey Active Member

    Tron 7 Reference. Very good.
     
    varyat likes this.
  11. Larry I

    Larry I Senior Member

    Location:
    Washington, D.C.
    Dozey,

    A friend has a Tron 7 Reference and it sounds very good. We rolled a few different 12AX7s from a mutual friend's collection and he ended up taking home Amperex Bugle Boy tubes as a replacement for what came with the Tron (for free). We all liked the Amperex tube over other contenders such as Mullards. What we did not try are Telefunken 803S, mainly because they have a sound that is opposite from what the Tron owner was looking for (something warm), but also probably because that tube would not be a give-away item.
     
  12. HankM

    HankM Senior Member

    Location:
    Upstate NY
    iFi iPhono (original version)
     
  13. slovell

    slovell Retired Mudshark

    Location:
    Chesnee, SC, USA
    Jolida JD9 modified with Burr Brown 627 opamps and Genelex 12AX7's.
     
  14. GyroSE

    GyroSE Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sweden
    Looks very nice. :righton:

    I've serial number 60092......:agree:
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2017
  15. TheVinylAddict

    TheVinylAddict Look what I found

    Location:
    AZ
    I will say, though I have never used or seen this one, that is the most aesthetically pleasing stage posted to date. Like the curves / reflection, etc

    I am used to the pedestrian square boxes with an led somewhere... then again in the price range for the ones I have purchased (sub-$500) there is not enough room to make them "pretty."
     
    putz likes this.
  16. Dennis Metz

    Dennis Metz Born In A Motor City south of Detroit

    Location:
    Fonthill, Ontario
    Jolida JD9 II
    Naim Stageline
     
  17. buckeye1010

    buckeye1010 Zephead Buckeye

    Location:
    Dayton, OH
    Rega Fono
     
  18. ultron9

    ultron9 The quest for perspicuity and grace continues...

    Location:
    USA
    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Acurus P10 phono preamp. Manufactured by Mondial USA, 90s vintage.
     
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  19. roboss38

    roboss38 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Clovis, CA U.S.A.
    I'll second this choice. I've had my Andros 1.2 for a couple years.
     
    putz likes this.
  20. Bananas&blow

    Bananas&blow It's just that demon life has got me in its sway

    Location:
    Pacific Beach, CA
    Which of these do you prefer the most?
     
    SandAndGlass likes this.
  21. Bananas&blow

    Bananas&blow It's just that demon life has got me in its sway

    Location:
    Pacific Beach, CA
    As long as it's reasonably priced, this would be an auto buy for me as well. I am using the Lounge MKIII now and it's the device that made me realize the huge impact a phono pre can make. I love my Lounge.
     
    Michael Schroeder and irender like this.
  22. Bananas&blow

    Bananas&blow It's just that demon life has got me in its sway

    Location:
    Pacific Beach, CA
    That is one sexy preamp!!!
     
    putz likes this.
  23. Bananas&blow

    Bananas&blow It's just that demon life has got me in its sway

    Location:
    Pacific Beach, CA
    Yes you should get one. The right one can really make your records come alive.
     
    Shiver likes this.
  24. DOUBTINGTHOMAS29

    DOUBTINGTHOMAS29 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Manley Chinook
     
    contium likes this.
  25. Michael Rose

    Michael Rose Forum Resident

    Location:
    Davie,Fl
    [​IMG]

    Great budget preamp, imo :edthumbs:
     
    andybeau, PhilBiker and bluemooze like this.
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