[plakey]

Manley Chinook is $2250... I'd like to spend under $1000....

[neobop]

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.

Best idea yet.  Take into consideration your present cart, and future possibilities.  Without knowing anything about your system or taste, I would guess that your Grado, and the 834p you're considering, is a poor match to say the least, but you're the one to determine that.  One of those solid state units with the micro detail, tight bass, and slightly analytical, might be the perfect match.  Here's another for your consideration.  Good luck in your search.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/vacuum-state-jlti-power-supply-demo-warranty-gr8-up--2

[sunnydaze]

I'll need to listen to these in my system to full appreciate the pros and cons.

True statement.  But if you try to audition.....and audition....and audition....and audition first before buying, you will never buy anything.

Just dive right in and get something.  Used, of course.  Do your research, certainly.  But lots of it is feel and instinct for what might work.  Shop smart you will lose nothing on resell.    But don't get frozen with the analysis and the researching and the shopping.  Paralysis by analysis.  Just go for something.  That will get the ball rolling.

If it doesn't tickle you, buy another....before selling, if possible.  You don't wanna sell the one you end up preferring.  Keep buying, comparing, selling till you find "the one".    Kinda like dating.     

Buy used, be smart, you can't get hurt.  I been doing this for almost 20 years.  Lose a little, make a little, kinda break even over time.  And get to hear lots of great gear!   

Good luck.   It's a fun journey.

[roscoeiii]

True statement.  But if you try to audition.....and audition....and audition....and audition first before buying, you will never buy anything.

Just dive right in and get something.  Used, of course.  Do your research, certainly.  But lots of it is feel and instinct for what might work.  Shop smart you will lose nothing on resell.    But don't get frozen with the analysis and the researching and the shopping.  Paralysis by analysis.  Just go for something.  That will get the ball rolling.

If it doesn't tickle you, buy another....before selling, if possible.  You don't wanna sell the one you end up preferring.  Keep buying, comparing, selling till you find "the one".    Kinda like dating.     

Buy used, be smart, you can't get hurt.  I been doing this for almost 20 years.  Lose a little, make a little, kinda break even over time.  And get to hear lots of great gear!   

Good luck.   It's a fun journey.

Man, I want to cut and paste this into so many threads. Very sage advice and description of a very good approach to building a system.

But I would add an asterisk to note that synergy remains important. Just because a component wasn't favored in one system configuration you've had doesn't meant that it might not be ideal for a later configuration due to the importance of overall system synergy to your overall sound (particularly the case when change in components is a "horizontal move"  involving comparably priced components).   

[sunnydaze]

Couldn't agree more about synergy.  That's why I try so much gear, hoping to stumble upon the magic.  You can do it in a controlled and reasoned way such that some big mistakes are eliminated, and you increase your odds at meshing those gears.

But researching to the nth degree and following opinions really guarantees nothing.  It helps you develop a short list, that's all.  After that, you just gotta get in there and start buyin' and tryin'.     

[S Clark]

And sometimes used just isn't an option.  I have looked for a used Dodd for a looonnnnggg time- they just aren't there.  These have been around for several years, but no one seems to let them go.

[roscoeiii]

Couldn't agree more about synergy.  That's why I try so much gear, hoping to stumble upon the magic.  You can do it in a controlled and reasoned way such that some big mistakes are eliminated, and you increase your odds at meshing those gears.

But researching to the nth degree and following opinions really guarantees nothing.  It helps you develop a short list, that's all.  After that, you just gotta get in there and start buyin' and tryin'.     

We are clearly on the same page here.

[kgturner]

To keep it simple, of the three you mentioned and not the 183 different phonostages others mentioned, I'd suggest you give the Nighthawk the nod. I owned one and only recently replaced it with a Manley Chinook.

Kevin T

[sunnydaze]

And sometimes used just isn't an option.  I have looked for a used Dodd for a looonnnnggg time- they just aren't there.  These have been around for several years, but no one seems to let them go.

I could be wrong but I get the feeling the OP is kindof a newbie.  If so, I don't think he'd be targetting one specific piece.  So playing in the used market with little financial risk literally offers dozens of cheap pieces to cut teeth on as he gets more experience, learns the gear, and discovers his own likes, dislikes and priorities.

Besides, unless you are wealthy or know with 100% certainty that the new piece is for you, and you will own it for a long time, I would never buy new.  A financial loss is guaranteed if discontent settles in.  The discontent factor is directly related to how particular one is about their SQ,  so if someone is less discerning, then new becomes a more viable option.

I'm kinda picky about my sound and I never know with any kindof certainty if a piece will work for me unless I live with it for awhile.  How does one achieve this in the new market?  So used market, here I come!     

[roscoeiii]

For those who have tried the Nighthawk, I am curious whether you found that it has some of the drawbacks associated with battery power (in addition to the fabulous clean power benefits). In my experience with battery power (an RWA modded Olive) and from discussions with others about battery power, it seems that battery power often leads to less dynamics and oomph than AC powered components. But you have a payoff of greater detail retrieval due to that clean, clean DC. Is this also the case for the Nighthawk.

I feel that for the most part both battery power and passive pres share these characteristics of great detail retrieval at the cost of dynamics and drive. Whether this is a worthwhile tradeoff will depend on your musical tastes, overall system and personal preferences for musical reproduction.

Thought this was worth asking since the Nighthawk is getting so much love here.

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

Manley Chinook is $2250... I'd like to spend under $1000....

True statement.  But if you try to audition.....and audition....and audition....and audition first before buying, you will never buy anything.

Buy used, be smart, you can't get
Good luck.   It's a fun journey.

You can't get too much with one grand budget for a decent phonostage.

More you audition more you may not be too happy with what you've got regardless the price you paid for.

Take the example of my one-of-a-kind "crazy" sonic demand - fast, snappy, transparent, detail & musical sound. I still can't find any brandname phonostages that fit the huge shoes above perfectly, that include the USD76,000 Audio Note Japan tube phono-preamp - the world most expensive phono-preamp, which I auditioned in detail in its sole regional distributor studio only last January.

So I decided to design-build one that can deliver my "crazy" tonal taste without mortgaging my house to pay for one. Thanks goodness, I think I am getting there.

c-J

[sunnydaze]

Damn!  I guess I'm not that picky.   

I'm pretty happy with my $500 used Tercel.  Perfect, no.  Enjoyable, yes.  Just goes to show we all have different demands, expectations, tolerances and criteria for acceptable / satisfying.  Which is why blindly following a person's rec on here is kinda useless.

[tomytoons]

Extremely tough giving any recommendations here choosing a Phono Pre or especially a DAC.
You don't want to steer someone in the wrong direction way too many variables.
I'm after pure emotion and music pleasure listening. Good is not good enough anymore I need to be moved otherwise I get bored.

[Ericus Rex]

For those who have tried the Nighthawk, I am curious whether you found that it has some of the drawbacks associated with battery power (in addition to the fabulous clean power benefits). In my experience with battery power (an RWA modded Olive) and from discussions with others about battery power, it seems that battery power often leads to less dynamics and oomph than AC powered components. But you have a payoff of greater detail retrieval due to that clean, clean DC. Is this also the case for the Nighthawk.

I owned one for a few months.  I did not find it to be lacking in dynamics and ,yes, it was very quiet.  Compared to the internal tubed phono stage of my Rogue pre the Nighthawk lacked some 'magic'.  I still consider it a very good and very flexible pre and you could do much, MUCH worse for the money.

[sunnydaze]

I owned one for a few months.  I did not find it to be lacking in dynamics and ,yes, it was very quiet.  Compared to the internal tubed phono stage of my Rogue pre the Nighthawk lacked some 'magic'.  I still consider it a very good and very flexible pre and you could do much, MUCH worse for the money.

I agree with your assessment of the NH.  And I found the Jasmine similar.  Both very dynamic and detailed, and offer great flexibility, but they didn't draw me in and lacked the organic flow and "gesthalt" of a decent tubed unit.

For SS phono stage at similar price point, I prefer the Vista ACLE, which I still own.

[rollo]

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?

  You may be overlooking the obvious consideration. The Grado PH-1 for $500 just may be the ticket. Wonderfull synergy with Grado Cart. The Vista is an overachiever as well for SS.
   For me personally I perfer a SS phonostage with a tubed Preamp. Love the accuracy of the SS phono and flavor of a tubed Pre. I believe Music direct carries the Grado with a 30 day trial. Make the plunge and check it out.
  We do not sell Grado.



charles

charles

[plakey]

Funny I was going to ask about the Grado... I don't hear a lot about it, but it might sound great with my cartridge.

[plakey]

So I ordered a Graham Slee ERA GOLD MK V demo from Music Direct.... A bit of a left turn, but at least I can listen and return if needed! If this doesn't work out I'll order the Grado PH-1 for demo. Off to the races!

[Michaelw]

Why not give it a shot to Lounge MM LCR phono preamp under $500?

[plakey]

Anyone ever heard this Lounge?

I'm thinking about a Soundsmith as well. $350 on Audiogon.