Phono Stages Under 10Kish

[AudioGremlin]

minor, I'll endorse the Steelhead. Initially I was underwhelmed when I connected my Koetsu Onyx Gold but using a Choir H7 SUT that completely transformed (no pun) the result, I was totally blown away then and I still am.

[John49]

Originally Posted by tima

...



If you (OP) are looking for a phonostage, turntable, tonearm and cartridge, my suggestion is to put money into the 'table and arm. Critical factors for the turntable are speed accuracy and very low noise. Pick a 'table and match the 'arm to it. The 'table is the master clock of an analog front-end. The frequency portion, the time element of the waveform emitted from a cartridge, comes from the turntable. If that signal is not right, no amount of downstream gear can correct it.



A quality 'table and tonearm will get the most from any cartridge Even the best cartridges will be limited by mediocre 'tables and 'arms. Imo, building a solid foundation for your analog front-end is a good way to start.

+1

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by AudioGremlin

minor, I'll endorse the Steelhead. Initially I was underwhelmed when I connected my Koetsu Onyx Gold but using a Choir H7 SUT that completely transformed (no pun) the result, I was totally blown away then and I still am.

One "problem" I can see here is that you are using the SteelHead only as a MM phono stage. So all the stuff inside related to the MC stage is just "waisted".
It makes a pretty expensive MM stage finally.
There are many MM stages much cheaper than the SteelHead on the market that will probably blow you away when used with your Choir SUT.
Please note that I do believe the SteelHead is one of the best phono stages on the market. My remark is just to point out the fact that if you need an outboard SUT, then the SteelHead which strengths lie mostly in its stellar MC circuit, is probably simply not suited to your Koetsu.

[AudioGremlin]

Looking at the Steelhead schematics essentially I'm bypassing the Manley iron and switching of the MC section. Apparently I'm not the only one to have found that the MM input is considerably better. I have heard the Steelhead MC stage in many other systems and I still prefer the MM input.

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by AudioGremlin

Looking at the Steelhead schematics essentially I'm bypassing the Manley iron and switching of the MC section. Apparently I'm not the only one to have found that the MM input is considerably better. I have heard the Steelhead MC stage in many other systems and I still prefer the MM input.

You're not alone at all! In the manual it states that since it has adequate selectable gain for most MCs without the SUTs many users find the sound preferable that way and encourages you to try it. I've auditioned the Steelhead myself and as long as you don't have an ultra-low output MC cartridge I share your preference!

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

The $9,900 VAC Renaissance. I heard the Special Edition version (around $13K?) of this earlier in the month and it was mesmerizing.



Best Sirs,

Bob

Giving this unit a 2nd try/audition now, since everything in my system has changed so much this year, and I've become increasingly less tolerant of any noise from my preamp stages. This VAC has an incredibly natural midrange; extremely musical and slightly warm as I remember my prior VAC preamp's phono stage was voiced.

I knew that they now ship with an extra 6 dB of SUT gain and illuminated logo (my dealer has an older unit), but did NOT know they had an SE version, and apparently my dealer didn't either because he would've recommended it. I think an SE version with just a tad more detail would be absolutely perfect for me. THANKS for mentioning this; I'll be on the phone very shortly now...

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Giving this unit a 2nd try/audition now, since everything in my system has changed so much this year, and I've become increasingly less tolerant of any noise from my preamp stages. This VAC has an incredibly natural midrange; extremely musical and slightly warm as I remember my prior VAC preamp's phono stage was voiced.

I knew that they now ship with an extra 6 dB of SUT gain and illuminated logo (my dealer has an older unit), but did NOT know they had an SE version, and apparently my dealer didn't either because he would've recommended it. I think an SE version with just a tad more detail would be absolutely perfect for me. THANKS for mentioning this; I'll be on the phone very shortly now...

Yes it does -- I was quite impressed. Not knowing all the details, but IIRC the SE uses caps & ??? that are in Kevins' $80K statement. If you find out, it would be nice to know.

Best Sir,

Bob

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Yes it does -- I was quite impressed. Not knowing all the details, but IIRC the SE uses caps & ??? that are in Kevins' $80K statement. If you find out, it would be nice to know.[/IMG]

Here's the relevant snippet of the email response I received from VAC:

Originally Posted by VAC

The SE fits the very pricey z-foil resistors, beeswax capacitors, etc., used in the Statement Phono Stage

The price increase is 45% over the standard edition stage. I put my order in.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Here's the relevant snippet of the email response I received from VAC:


The price increase is 45% over the standard edition stage. I put my order in.

I'm really jealous. Insignificant question but -- Silver or black?

Best Sir,

Bob

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

I'm really jealous. Insignificant question but -- Silver or black?

Best Sir,

Bob

Definitely black! Now all my electronic components, excepting my turntable, are black. The VAC website says there's a slight upcharge for silver, anyways. Soon I'll also be giving the VAC Renaissance V preamp an audition against my ARC Ref 6 -- but honestly, at this point it's going to be very hard to give up the 6's digital volume & balance controls (very very well implemented).

I did a lot of big upgrades this past year, and phono stage was the last piece that wasn't quite in line with all the new stuff. I'm very happy to have placed my SE order!