[plakey]

Hello. I'm shopping for a new phono stage. I'm running a Grado Platinum MM. I'm thinking about grabbing an EAR 834P off Audiogon, or the much-reviewed Ray Samuels Nighthawk, or even Heed Audio's Quasar Phono Stage.

Does anyone have any opinion on these?

[vortrex]

I had the 834P MM, not that great.  Bass was quite flubby and overall it seemed kind of noisey.  I have a K&K MM only now and its substantially better.  To me, the 834P seems overpriced and overpraised.

[kgturner]

The 834P gets a lot of love. I owned the Nighthawk and it is a great unit that performs well above it's price point. I can't comment on the Heed as I've heard little or nothing about it. I'm pretty sure Ray Samuels will allow you some demo time if you call or email.

Kevin T

[plakey]

Great advice, thanks on both counts. I'll look into demoing the RS.

[plakey]

I had the 834P MM, not that great.  Bass was quite flubby and overall it seemed kind of noisey.  I have a K&K MM only now and its substantially better.  To me, the 834P seems overpriced and overpraised.

What is the K&K?

[TomS]

http://www.kandkaudio.com/phonostage.html

[roscoeiii]

I am a big fan of the Dynavector P75, especially if you have a low impedance LOMC that can take full advantage of its Phono Enhancer mode.

[Ericus Rex]

You might also consider the Rogue Audio Stealth (around $500 used) or the new version, the Triton ($995 new).  I think either would be comparable to the Ray Samuels.

[catastrofe]

Another vote for the Nighthawk here.  Dead quiet and extremely adjustable.  You'd need to spend a lot more to get a better solid state phono stage.

[ptmconsulting]

I think it would be wise to check out the new Manley Chinook as well.

[sunnydaze]

Depends on where your tastes lie.

I have owned both the RS Nighthawk and the Jasmine 2.0 -- another very popular SS unit at around $500 new.  Both offer great flexibility with their adjustability, and both are very dynamic, detailed and quiet.  But neither really connected me to the music.  Both kinda too linear, coolish, and matter of fact for my taste.

I much prefer my current JuicyMusic Tercel 2.  Not as adjustable, not as quiet, but warmer with more organic flow,  and much greater involvement and emotional connection to the music.  Gives more of the tube sound and tone, as you would expect, but still quite explosive and dynamic.  About 500 bux used.

Years ago I heard the EAR in several different systems.  As mentioned here, a bit noisey and soft / flabby bass, but great tone and very liquid and musical......especially if your roll in some nice NOS tubes, which it's quite receptive to.

[tomytoons]

All in your taste for sure. you have to try them in your system is the best advice.

I had a Nighthawk here at the same time I had my Jasmine MKII, much preferred the Jasmine. Before that others I have had were the EE Mini Max and a Nova Phonomena (still very nice), Black Cube SE. I like the adjustability of a phono Pre, I will not buy anything else, I also like warm but dynamic and must be quiet.
Look for a used Monolithic PS1 or 2 with the HC1b Power supply.
Don't laugh, this is 12 years old it was on Stereopiles B list in 2000 and is quite nice, it's more than  a bit much better than all I have mentioned above. $350 used if you can find one. In fact ask "gopher"  He has had at least 50 different Phonos. (Exaggerating)
I'm convinced there is no need to spend big money since I have been there spending over $1k on other Phonos.
A friend of mine just sold a Heed and replaced it with a Pass Ono he loves.

Lots to choose from, all used of course.
Yes, we are crazy!

[sunnydaze]

I can vouch for Fred / Gopher.  He is a local audio bud and we share similar tastes, and visit each other for listening sessions.  Like TT says, he has owned both the Nighthawk and Jasmine, and many others. 

They are all sold and he currently has the Monolithic.  I haven't heard it yet, but he seems very happy with it, and says he prefers it to all the others.

[tomytoons]

I trust the NY kids, they have pretty fussy ears.
Actually I recommended the Monolithic to him. I would love to hear that Turcel not many come up FS.

[sunnydaze]

I trust the NY kids, they have pretty fussy ears.
Actually I recommended the Monolithic to him. I would love to hear that Turcel not many come up FS.

Nope, they don't!  I targetted the Tercel with confidence because I had previously owned, and loved, the JuicyMusic Blueberry Xtreme preamp (w MM + MC).  Kinda sorry I sold that piece, but the Tercel gives me the same sonic flavor.

[plakey]

Thanks for all the good ideas. Many 'stages I've not heard of, so I'll need to do some research. I'm looking to spend under a grand on this. And I do think you are right, I'll need to listen to these in my system to full appreciate the pros and cons.

Now I'm considering a Dodd also....

[S Clark]

Thanks for all the good ideas. Many 'stages I've not heard of, so I'll need to do some research. I'm looking to spend under a grand on this. And I do think you are right, I'll need to listen to these in my system to full appreciate the pros and cons.

Now I'm considering a Dodd also....

I'm picking one up in the next couple of days.  I'll post impressions then

[TheChairGuy]

Because stereo separation is inherently far less with vinyl over digital technologies...I always found dual mono (as in the case of Monlithic, Samuels Nighthawk and others) to best preserve what's there to reproduce a real-like performance.

It's not at all the only feature to consider...but I've found it a pretty reliable beginning step to separate the good vs. the not-so-good.

John

[jimdgoulding]

I'm still using a Monolithic phono pre and pwr supply purchased new .

[TONEPUB]

Manley Chinook gets my vote.

Best one I've heard so far in this price range.
But if you want a great deal on the EAR, I'm selling mine to upgrade!