Phono Stages / VPI Classic

loving_it · « **on:** 23 Feb 2014, 11:03 am »

As most of you know by now I picked up a Classic 2 with a Soundsmith Zephyr MK/II , I'm using it with a Decware ZP3 . I'm wondering if anyone else has compared the ZP3 against other models since I'm considering trying some other options .

roscoeiii · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 03:12 pm »

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

loving_it · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 04:42 pm »

2000.00 give or take

roscoeiii · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 04:48 pm »

Around that price point, my favorite is the Avid Pulsus. Many have seen my write here how much I preferred it to the SimAudio 5.3LP with optional power supply. I wonder if the LP5.3 might be better if running it in balanced mode.

Chris at Music Direct put me onto the Avid Pulsus, and demo units pop up every now and then on the MD website. And you have their 30-day return policy if it doesn't float your boat. I think Chris was using it with a high output cart in his home system, I have only used it with LOMCs. But wow. Especially impressive in the bass and highs compared to the SimAudio.

I've since moved on to the Musical Fidelity kW phono. Which pairs very well with my kW line stage. But they are not being made anymore and I am not sure how easy they are to find.

S Clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 05:11 pm »

If you like tubes look at Gary Dodd's battery tube phonostage. I'm pretty sure that Gary is recovered enough from his heart surgeries to do some building at this point.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 05:16 pm »

Another SS design that always interested me was the John Curl designed Parasound. They just introduced a new + version, but that is a bit over your budget. Audio Advisor sells these.

Devil Doc · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 05:25 pm »

The Musical Fidelity M1Vinl is based on the previously mentioned kW. According to Fremer it's warmer and less analytical. It's also quite versatile and convenient to use. He liked it enough to buy the review sample and convince me to buy one. I like it a lot along with my HW-19 MK III and Bluepoint EVO III cartridge feeding a AVA T-8+. It cost only 1195

Doc

Austin08 · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 07:28 pm »

Quote from: Devil Doc on 23 Feb 2014, 05:25 pm

The Musical Fidelity M1Vinl is based on the previously mentioned kW. According to Fremer it's warmer and less analytical. It's also quite versatile and convenient to use. He liked it enough to buy the review sample and convince me to buy one. I like it a lot along with my HW-19 MK III and Bluepoint EVO III cartridge feeding a AVA T-8+. It cost only 1195

Doc

I also own M1Vinl. Easy to use, awesome bass and very quite. Work out well with my unipivot arm and zephyrII.

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 09:52 pm »

Hi loving_it,

What is it about the Decware ZP3 that leaves you unsatisfied? Describing that might help you get good recommendations. Also, I have always been curious about the ZP3 phono stage. It seems like it should have everything going for it with a medium to high output cartridge.

I have never heard a Decware product, so that's why I am curious.

zuluwarrior0760 · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 09:55 pm »

I've had three Classics.

In the 2K range, I'd look at the Sutherland 20/20
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/sutherland.htm

In the sub 1K range, the PS Audio GCPH is tough to beat,
but only available used....typically 500 bucks........very involving,
but several steps below the Sutherland in musicality overall......

I'm currently using Convergent's built in Phono Pre in their
Renaissance Preamp, which is a 2K adder, but you have to
buy an 8K pre to get it.....this one will be my final pre and phono pre....

loving_it · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Feb 2014, 11:56 pm »

Quote from: Quiet Earth on 23 Feb 2014, 09:52 pm

Hi loving_it,

What is it about the Decware ZP3 that leaves you unsatisfied? Describing that might help you get good recommendations. Also, I have always been curious about the ZP3 phono stage. It seems like it should have everything going for it with a medium to high output cartridge.

I have never heard a Decware product, so that's why I am curious.

I don't know if I'm unsatisfied or not because I never had anything different , I was hoping someone here has or had a ZP3 . I will also be picking up a couple different units to compare to the ZP3

Guy 13 · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Feb 2014, 02:06 am »

Hi loving_it.
How about Bottlehead Reduction or Seduction phono amplifier.
Yes, it's akit, but you can buy it already assembled.

Guy 13

BobM · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Feb 2014, 02:00 pm »

You can certainly get a lot for your money in a SS design at that price point. However, there is just a magic to tube phono stages that SS ones don't have, to my ears. However, you will likely have to add a step up to the mix if you are running a MC cartridge, since tubed phono stages usually don;t have the gain that a SS design does. That either means stepping up your budget or stapping down your choices.

Decisions ...

rollo · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Feb 2014, 02:45 pm »

Soundsmith anyone ? Yes Sir soundsmith makes some serious phono stages. From $450 to $1000. It only makes sense synergy wise. Save money for LPs no need to spend $2000.
Get a demo and compare yourself.

charles

Guy 13 · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Feb 2014, 02:50 pm »

Hi (Again) all.
How about Vista Audio.
Is an AC sponsor.

Guy 13

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Feb 2014, 03:00 pm »

Quote from: loving_it on 23 Feb 2014, 11:56 pm

I was hoping someone here has or had a ZP3.

So was I.

zuluwarrior0760 · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Feb 2014, 03:01 am »

being able to get the top of the line soundsmith under a grand
seems pretty compelling......
this review sort of sums it up........
http://dagogo.com/soundsmith-sussurro-mcp2-phono-preamplifier-review

if you could find a used soundsmith MCP2, that would be even more
money for vinyl......

loving_it · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Feb 2014, 03:37 am »

Quote from: BobM on 24 Feb 2014, 02:00 pm

You can certainly get a lot for your money in a SS design at that price point. However, there is just a magic to tube phono stages that SS ones don't have, to my ears. However, you will likely have to add a step up to the mix if you are running a MC cartridge, since tubed phono stages usually don;t have the gain that a SS design does. That either means stepping up your budget or stapping down your choices.

Decisions ...

Dont need a SUT Im using a Soundsmith Zephyr MK/II

nickd · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Feb 2014, 09:09 pm »

Any thoughts on the the Liberty B2B-1? Retails for $1750.00, reviews are good. I've been thinking it would be a good match for the Classic / Zephyr combo. I have been saving for this setup for a the past few months. It would be nice to hear if anyone has tried this combo before I take the plunge. Seems like a "giant killer" package to me. All super values, and I think Liberty has some kind of guaranteed satisfaction policy.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Feb 2014, 09:38 pm »

Fremer liked the Liberty. And the manufacturer of the Liberty pops up every time someone on Audiogon pops up to ask for a phono stage rec (which gets a bit tiring).

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/liberty-audio-b2b-1-phono-preamplifier

Haven't heard it but yes they have the satisfaction guaranteed offer, and with it being offered manufacturer direct, you aren't paying a dealer/middleman markup.

But then again, there are also many nice options from retailers with great return policies that would also allow you to test phono stages in your own system. Music Direct (Avid, SimAudio, Fosgate, and more) and Audio Advisor (Parasound and others) offer this.