I'm a BIG believer in dual mono throughout for vinyl - and I currently use a
Pioneer SX-A9-J (
receiver); using only the MM/MC preamp and tuner.
Remote, dual mono right back to the custom toroids, saved rack space and wonderful sound. It's paired with ancient/updated Dukane tube monoblocks. It has a 'direct' path that switches out all unneeded filtering and equalization for best sound (and it works in spades)
I cannot recommend this unit heartily enough for the current selling cost of $695
The MM section sounds nicer then MC (they had to take shortcuts
somewhere), but otherwise there is simply nothing one can complain of at that price. The weakest perfomance part is the power amp section....using your mono's in it's place is the thing to do
The freakin' thing even looks kinda' sexy with a fascia that looks much like Plinius recent efforts.
If it was a specialty maker, this unit would be tagged at $2500.00 and get ooo's and ahhh's....because it's Pioneer and priced like nothing special, it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
http://www.independentaudiovideo.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1009880John
