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Tube or Solid State Phono Stage

post #1 of 5
9/8/08 at 9:26am
Thread Starter 
I am in the market for a Phono Stage up to $1000. I am debating between Tube and Solid state. I have been looking at the Simaudio Moon LP3 (on recomendation from Music Direct), Musical Fidelity X-LPS v8, Dynavector P75, Ray Samuels XR-2, and the TTVJ Millet Tube Phono Stage. The TTVJ Millet as been really the only Tube stage I have considered based on reviews. Which ever stage I get would be connected to a VPI Scoutmaster with a Lyra Argo cartridge. I have heard great things about all of these products but unfortunately I can not demo any of them as no dealers in my area has them that I have found. SO I am looking to the recommendations of the forum on the pros and cons of each and which may give me a very detailed and neutral presentation.

Corey
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post #2 of 5
9/8/08 at 10:35pm

Solid State VS. Tube

See if you can get a JFET phone stage. This will give you some tube realism, yet keep the noise at a minimum. If you want a tube sound, then make the high level stage tube.
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post #3 of 5
9/9/08 at 8:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zer010gic View Post
Which ever stage I get would be connected to a VPI Scoutmaster with a Lyra Argo cartridge. Corey
Although my Herron Audio VTPH-1 Vacuum Tube Phono Preamplifier is out of your price range (I picked up a demo one for around $2000), I prefer it to a couple of other good solid state phono preamps I've had. Sorry, but I haven't heard any of the phono stages you mentioned in your post.

Others here in the forum will give some good input (like Vic Trola). Of course, the sound you get, no matter whether it is SS or tube, will also depend on the rest of your system set up (eg. preamp/amplifier/speakers). Careful tonearm and cartridge alignment is also important.

You have a nice turntable and cartridge. I bet that your tonearm is a good one as well. Your system deserves a good phono preamp, IMO. Enjoy your vinyl!
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post #4 of 5
9/9/08 at 11:29am
Thread Starter 
I have the standard JMW-9 tone arm (not the signature). It will then be going into a headphone amp(I am looking to get a Raptor from RSA) and from there into my HD650s.


Corey
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post #5 of 5
9/10/08 at 11:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zer010gic View Post
I have the standard JMW-9 tone arm (not the signature). It will then be going into a headphone amp(I am looking to get a Raptor from RSA) and from there into my HD650s. Corey
Hi Corey,

For what it is worth, here is what I would do. If the above system is your primary system, then I would go with a SS phono preamp. With the Raptor being the only tube component in the chain, you can tweak it by tube-rolling the Raptor your heart's delight until you find your sound.

If, at some time, you plan on using your phono preamp in a primary system consisting of a preamp and SS amp and speakers, then I would get a tube phono preamp so that the sound of tubes would still be evident in the chain.

For me, personally, I would choose only one component in the chain with tubes. It keeps things simple and maintenance is all the easier. That is not to say that a tube only system all the way through the chain doesn't sound great. I've heard them and they sound great.

This is only my opinion. Hopefully, others will chime in and make further recommendations.
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