[Minn Mark]

Anyone have comments about the new phono stage available in the new pre-amp? I have InsightEC and Insight DAC, and would be interested to read opinions about the new phono circuits.

Cheers,

Mark

[Wayner]

The Insight+ phono board is awesome! I have it in both of my preamps and it recovers so much air around the recording. It sounds 3D most of the time and with a nicely recorded, airy LP, sounds truly heavenly. Excellent low end, liquid midrange and sparkling and clean highs. Cymbal crashes are natural. There is also plenty of head room so as not to be over-modulated during heavy passages. You can pay more for a separate phono pre, but it won't sound as good, IMHO.

Wayner 

[Minn Mark]

Thanks Wayner.  Please clarify, the Insight + is still all solid state? I have the 'standard" Insight EC with the 1st edition Insight phono section (no tubes). I appreciate all the discussion of the new DAC (I have the Insight DAC) but "frankly" have not turned it on in awhile because listening to vinyl with Frank's phono section is SO great.
Sounds like I may have to consider updating my pre-amp to the new Inisght+ phono section.   This will fit into the wide chassis, no?  I have Insight EC with new faceplate and remote option.  Thanks for the feedback.

Mark

[Wayner]

If you have the Insight EC preamp with phono board, the upgrade is just a couple of 8 legged Op-amps, 1 per channel and would take about 5 minutes to swap-out. Call Frank and he'll get you all set up. Yes, the Insight+ is all solid state. Oh, you might as well upgrade the preamp too. so that's 2 more Op-amps on the main board. These are slightly tougher to get at, but If you think your up to it, you can do it, or simply send it to Frank for a fast turn-around.

Wayner 

[gregmav]

The Insight+ phono board is awesome! I have it in both of my preamps and it recovers so much air around the recording. It sounds 3D most of the time and with a nicely recorded, airy LP, sounds truly heavenly. Excellent low end, liquid midrange and sparkling and clean highs. Cymbal crashes are natural. There is also plenty of head room so as not to be over-modulated during heavy passages. You can pay more for a separate phono pre, but it won't sound as good, IMHO.

Wayner 

So, are you saying that having the board inside the pre-amp is even better than having one of Frank's stand alone phono preamps hooked up to it?

[Minn Mark]

So the Phono option in the AVAstar is the Insight+ phono board; the hybrid circuits are all in the pre-amp proper?

Mark

[Wayner]

So, are you saying that having the board inside the pre-amp is even better than having one of Frank's stand alone phono preamps hooked up to it?

Well, I don't know if I'd go that far. I'm saying the Insight+ phono board is very, very good regardless if it's in the special function chassis phono preamp or in one of Frank's regular preamps.

So the Phono option in the AVAstar is the Insight+ phono board; the hybrid circuits are all in the pre-amp proper?

Mark

The Insight+ phono board is in the AvaStar preamp as far as I know. I believe that was the message. I think all preamps, except the T8 have the Insight+ phono board now.

[oneinthepipe]

I have the T8+ preamp with the Insight phono board.  I also have the Insight phono board in my Vision DAC/Preamp.  The Insight phono board is excellent.  Frank knows phono, that is for sure.  (The phono in my Omega 50 is good, and that unit is 25 years old.)  In a new unit, the board is a bargain @ 199.00.  As an after-sale installation, the cost is a little higher, but a bargain, IMO.  Frank prefers the Insight phono board, which he includes as an option in the AvaStar preamp.  I am not certain about the AvaStar preamp, but Frank was able to install multiple phono boards in other preamps if an owner desired.  I don't know if the phono sounds better in a separate chassis, but I think that Frank would have told us if a phono section in a separate chassis were a better option. 

[oneinthepipe]

So the Phono option in the AVAstar is the Insight+ phono board; the hybrid circuits are all in the pre-amp proper?

Mark

Yes.  The Insight phono board is that good.

[Minn Mark]

If the op-amp swap from Insight to Insight+ is really that trivial, I may have to give it a try...Thanks to all who posted.

Mark

[Lefty052347]

I would replace the op amps in the line section as well.  That's a total of six including your DAC.

Regards,
Dean