I recently got back into vinyl and I asked Frank if I could borrow a Vision phono preamp and see how it compares to my Bellari VP-129 that some one gave me. Frank was gracious as usual and obliged me.
My system consists of a vintage Thorens TD-145 TT, Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge, Blue Jean phono IC's with XLR Adapters, Cardas Parsec XLR's for my amp and preamp. My preamp is a BAT VK-51se tube preamp paired with a Pass Labs X250 amp. Speakers are Magnepan 1.6's paired with a Martin Logan original dynamo sub crossed over at 40hz.
My Bellari VP-129 is using a 1950's NOS Raytheon Black Plate 12ax7 which yields a fuller, more detailed, slightly warmer, darker and a much more dynamic sound than the stock tube.
Music-
Miles Davis- Kind of Blue
Steve Miller- Original Master Recording of Fly Like an Eagle
Diana Krall- Walllflower
William Akerman- Passages
Joni Mitchell- For The Roses
Compared to the Bellari, the Vision sounds more HiFi. It presents music with a faster pace with more detail and resolution. The attack on instruments, especially guitar and piano is sharper and more defined and the decay is better and smoother. On one track of the Steve Miller album, I noticed that I could hear the echo of a drum in the background that was not there before. The back ground is blacker and there is more separation between instruments. The sound is less congested. Listening to Miles Davis, the horns sounded more natural and smoother. Cymbals had more air. The Vision also presented a slightly wider sound stage and a more transparent sound.
The only things that the Bellari did better was front to back depth, which was a little deeper and thicker. Bass was deeper and stronger. The Bellari presented a darker overall sound which may account for the heavier sound. The Vision on the other hand had good bass which was faster and a bit more controlled.
I will be doing more listening and comparing over the next 24 hours and will post any other thoughts. Unfortunately, I don't have any other phono preamps to compare the Vision to. But overall, I am impressed with the Vision.
Larry