Phono stages...

Posted by: Top Cat on 24 July 2001

In a weird twist to my own insurance saga, it seems that my dealer have pronounced my phono stage well and truly buggered after all (which really surprised me) so I'm in the market for a new one.

First up, I'm looking for ideas, but I'm not so keen on the Naim option due to the need for an external PSU (which I don't have). Not a criticism on its qualities, just a simple financial limit I am placing on the phono stage purchase.

I'm looking at spending around £2000 on the turntable, and will have a remainder of £1500ish to spend between phono stage, cartridge and headphone stage (it got trashed, too frown ).

Any ideas?

John

Posted on: 24 July 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
John,

In my opinion I've heard very few phono stages that compare to Naim.

Why not consider a Prefix running from a s/h SNAPS modified for dual rail use (if you can find one!).

I use a Prefix with a SNAPS, which cost me £70 and it wipes the floor with the secondary o/p of my Flatcap 2. It will give you the option of upgrading in the future, should you so choose, but I don't believe you'll find the Prefix / SNAPS in any way disappointing.

Andy.

Posted on: 24 July 2001 by Mick P
John

You have hopefully got the lolly so you can take your pick of whats on offer.

Why not consider a prorperly renovated Garrard in a Loricraft plinth.

The only reason why you wont consider it is because you have never heard one.

You will be amazed when you do.

Your mate PD has heard one (I think)so have a chat with him.

BTW....I cannot contact you on the Mana forum because JW has banned me from it. I am personna non gratia so to speak.

Regards

Mick

You

Posted on: 25 July 2001 by Tony L
quote:
The Exposure 13 is an outstanding phono stage, and is well within your budget. It has just replaced a Michell Delphini in my system which, at twice the price, sounded half as good.

How much is the Exposure stage? I too have heard fabulous things about it.

Tony.

Posted on: 25 July 2001 by Rockingdoc
Hart Kits do a great kit for headphone amp and phono stage. They have a new website, can't remember the address, but easy to find.
Posted on: 25 July 2001 by Tony L
quote:
Hart Kits do a great kit for headphone amp and phono stage. They have a new website, can't remember the address, but easy to find.

Found it! http://users.classicfm.net/williamshart/

Sounds interesting. Have you heard the phono stage?

Tony.

Posted on: 25 July 2001 by Mick P
Paul

Mana will manufacture a slightly larger wall shelf which will accomodate the larger size of the Loricraft plinth. I was quoted an extra £50 over the standard price.

The major worry for me would be the weight factor. The Garrard is heavy in its own right and with the beefed up wooden plinth it weighs a ton. The Mana would need to be fixed to the wall by rawl plugs at least and if you live in an older house with soft bricks, you are asking for trouble. That applies to any wall shelf, not just Mana.

One advantage of the Hutter and presumably the Fraim, is that it is large enough just to plonk the Garrard straight on it.

Oh BTW, Loricraft sell a PSU for about £1200.00 so TC could buy a renovated 301 or 401 in a new plinth with a new PSU for about 2 grand.

Its worth thinking about.

The 501 with a SME 1V arm plus PSU is now 7 grand which is a bit heavy but I agree with you, its bloody nice.

Regards

Mick