[jimpittsburgh]

Am on the hunt for a new phono pre and could use your thoughts,experience and expertise.

Currently using a well modified Jolida JD9 with my Clearaudio Talisman v2 gold cartridge. I'm looking for a phono pre that will provide a quieter, more detailed, resolving and bigger sound stage. And of course match well to my cartridge.  My hard $ cap is $3k and I'd prefer closer to the $2k figure. I think I have my choices whittled down to: Parasound JC3+ and the Sutherland 20/20    Would sincerely appreciate any thoughts/ observations etc you can share.  Also any dealer preferences would also be appreciated.

[BruceSB]

Something totally from left field!!
What about an AQVOX Phono Ci mkII (Balanced) phono Pre Amp?
Can be used as a balanced or non balanced phono pre amp.
If you use the balanced mode with a moving coil you get an extra 6 db improvement!!
Here is the link http://www.aqvox.de/phono.html
It is in your budget.
There are plenty of reviews listed.
Also give you the option of using the balanced or standard RCA outputs.
Something to think about.
I don't have one but are seriously considering one.
That extra 6 db sensitivity on moving coils is mighty attractive as is balanced in and out.
Hope that gives you something to think about.
Bruce

[saygrr]

I highly recommend the K&K Maxxed out phono  pre. It will be close to $3,000 but what you will get is a phono section that is closer to $6,000. The parts in this unit are very high quality regardless of price. I hope you will call Kevin before you make a decision. Another important item to consider is have your cartridge aligned using Feikert software. Brian Walsh from Essential Audio did mine. This is a must just like a decent arm, table, phono section and so on is. An arm with Azimuth adjustment is also important.Hopefully there is someone near you that provides this service. Brian will go out of state but obviously that adds to the price. I'm in Wi. Brian is in Il. so it worked out great for me being only about 60 miles apart. The cost was $300. The benefit was far beyond that.

[twitch54]

given your price point my vote's for the Parasound, while I don't own it my system, I've listened through it and it would be on my short list should I decide to change from my Fosgate ...... to which I have no plans to do so !

[saygrr]

I thought this thread would have drawn more attention than this.

I would have bought a McCormack MPD and had it modified by SMC. I have McCormack line stage and amplifiers modified by SMC. Because I am very happy with them I would have been comfortable with a phono section from SMC. But because the K&K is flexible with loading and gain adjustments plus it is hybrid, transistor and tube. Lundahl choke and mains tranformer. Comments from Circle members about the Maxxed Out phono pre convinced me to go with this unit. The phono pre I had before this was more expensive but not near the performer.

jimpitsburgh I hope your happy with what ever you purchase. Be careful. If possible try a demo unit before purchase if your unable to listen to the unit and see it with in driving distance.

Enjoy the music buddy and hopefully you will be getting more posts.
Jeff

[Minn Mark]

I have looked at the Parasound and Sutherland units, too. Also Musical Surroundings Nova.  I am crazy happy for far less money. The AVA Vision gives me in my system everything you indicate you want: large, holographic soundstage, ultra quiet, tons of headroom and totally bulletproof. Also completely adjustable for MM or MC.  I use with a SUmiko Blackbird HOMC.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audio-by-van-alstine-vision-phonostage/

TAS approves.

30 day trial so it's really easy to audition one in your own system.

Cheers,

Mrk

[poseidonsvoice]

I highly recommend the K&K Maxxed out phono  pre. It will be close to $3,000 but what you will get is a phono section that is closer to $6,000. The parts in this unit are very high quality regardless of price. I hope you will call Kevin before you make a decision. Another important item to consider is have your cartridge aligned using Feikert software. Brian Walsh from Essential Audio did mine. This is a must just like a decent arm, table, phono section and so on is. An arm with Azimuth adjustment is also important.Hopefully there is someone near you that provides this service. Brian will go out of state but obviously that adds to the price. I'm in Wi. Brian is in Il. so it worked out great for me being only about 60 miles apart. The cost was $300. The benefit was far beyond that.

+1. Listen to this guy! In all honesty I built my own Maxxed Out Phono (posted in the tube forum) so I didn't have to worry about what else is out there under $10k! Ditto on the Feickert software setup recommendation. If you have not used some science to set your azimuth you don't know what you are missing. And if you can't/won't do it yourself ask Brian.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=139171.0

Best,
Anand.

[Bob Stark]

I had an Audible Illusions 2D and later a 3A with John Curl MC phono section that between them lasted 23 years.  I then bought a TRL DUDE preamp and had to try to find a correspondingly good phono stage.  I tried an Allnic H-1200 which had very good dynamics, but I found it to not be as quiet as the AI phono sections.  I then went for the Herron VTPH-2 phono stage which was the equal in dynamics of the Allnic, but bettered it in all the other areas of sound.  This was a keeper.  Both units could play either MC or med/HO cartridges with the easy, quick transitions without having to open up the unit to do so.  The Herron lists at $3795 or so while the Allnic was around $1600 when last made (it has been discontinued for a couple years).  Allnic now makes its replacement, the H-1201, for just under $3000--it will improve on most areas over the H-1200.  I believe the Herron would still be the keeper over the H-1201.  The Herron can be had for under $3000, too (used maybe 600-700 less than that).  You would not feel the upgrade bug with the Herron.  Despite it being a tube unit, it is very nearly as quiet as the Audible Illusions 3A, but sounds even better--more live quality with a more spacious soundstage.  Both Alllnic units and the Herron are tubed units and very well made thus providing many years of trouble free service.  All 3 units have very positive reviews in their price range.  I have not heard any REAL EXPENSIVE phono preamps in my system so can't comment past the Herron, sorry.  I use the phono sections with both a Benz Micro Ruby 3 w/ Cardas myrtlewood body and Soundsmith level 2 Shelter 501 mk II cartridges (both are LO MCs).

[sabocat]

Am on the hunt for a new phono pre and could use your thoughts,experience and expertise.

Currently using a well modified Jolida JD9 with my Clearaudio Talisman v2 gold cartridge. I'm looking for a phono pre that will provide a quieter, more detailed, resolving and bigger sound stage. And of course match well to my cartridge.  My hard $ cap is $3k and I'd prefer closer to the $2k figure. I think I have my choices whittled down to: Parasound JC3+ and the Sutherland 20/20    Would sincerely appreciate any thoughts/ observations etc you can share.  Also any dealer preferences would also be appreciated.

I'm using a Vista Phono-1 MKII in my main system currently. It still costs $300.00. A fellow member at Audiokarma said his Vista beat his modded Jolida phono stage. I run a Denon 301MKII on a VPI Scout. The Vista is connected to the line stage of a Microzotl 2 preamp, which in turn feeds a JWN amplifier that pushes 8 EL 34/6CA7/KT-77 output tubes. I originally purchased the little Vista as a stand-in until I could save money for a more expensive and better-sounding one, but so far I am liking the music I am hearing with the Vista and am not feeling the onset of any upgrade-itis symptoms.

Another recommendation would be the Liberty Audio phono preamp, which I believe sells for around $1800.

[sturgus]

Am on the hunt for a new phono pre and could use your thoughts,experience and expertise.

Currently using a well modified Jolida JD9 with my Clearaudio Talisman v2 gold cartridge. I'm looking for a phono pre that will provide a quieter, more detailed, resolving and bigger sound stage. And of course match well to my cartridge.  My hard $ cap is $3k and I'd prefer closer to the $2k figure. I think I have my choices whittled down to: Parasound JC3+ and the Sutherland 20/20    Would sincerely appreciate any thoughts/ observations etc you can share.  Also any dealer preferences would also be appreciated.

I would take a look at the Graham Slee Accenssion/Elevator set. If you go to their website and join the forum you can get an in home audition for the cost of shipping. You get to hear it in your system for at least 2 weeks. Not much to look at but very nice. I love mine.

If you don't want to spend a lot try the Vista. I have heard it head to head with my buddies highly modded Jolida JD9. It's better by a bit. He bought it and moved the JD9 to his second system. I think It's as good as my Slee Era Gold V, and the Gold was a Class A Stereophile pick.
Sturgus

[Nick B]

Another contender would be a Don Sachs custom unit. Would probably run $1,300 to $1,400 with upgraded tubes etc. Some very good reviews/comments on AC. Just do a search for Don Sachs...as I'm unable to post a proper link to his website.

[jimpittsburgh]

Just wanted to first thank everyone for sharing their thoughts, experience and expertise in helping me select a new phono pre.... a whole lot of info to digest and investigate in replacing my well modified Jolida JD9.

Ended up finding a great deal on a Pass Labs XP-15 from Mark at Reno HiFi.... thanks for that recommendation. 

The XP-15 arrived late afternoon yesterday, and it took about 3.5 hours to thaw out lol    Installed it and started playing with loading.   Overall initial impression is that it is a HUGE improvement over the JD9.... quieter, much much quieter, better dynamics, more articulate and better imaging. But so far the most noticeable improvement is in the more realistic timing and decay in piano notes, cymbal and drum strikes. Very cool.
FYI,  using a Talisman V2 gold cartridge. Best settings "so far" on the XP-15, in my system,  are gain at mid point and loading at 311 ohms.... 

[sturgus]

Enjoy it.

[avahifi]

Note that our Vision phono preamp has just been significantly upgraded with much quieter ICs and sounds even  better yet.

Upgrade is all of $50.  Call us at 651-330-9871 for details.

Frank

[twitch54]

Just wanted to first thank everyone for sharing their thoughts, experience and expertise in helping me select a new phono pre.... a whole lot of info to digest and investigate in replacing my well modified Jolida JD9.

Ended up finding a great deal on a Pass Labs XP-15 from Mark at Reno HiFi.... thanks for that recommendation.

The XP-15 arrived late afternoon yesterday, and it took about 3.5 hours to thaw out lol    Installed it and started playing with loading.   Overall initial impression is that it is a HUGE improvement over the JD9.... quieter, much much quieter, better dynamics, more articulate and better imaging. But so far the most noticeable improvement is in the more realistic timing and decay in piano notes, cymbal and drum strikes. Very cool.
FYI,  using a Talisman V2 gold cartridge. Best settings "so far" on the XP-15, in my system,  are gain at mid point and loading at 311 ohms....

Congrats Jim ! Pass gear is superb to say the least !

[woodsyi]

Just wanted to first thank everyone for sharing their thoughts, experience and expertise in helping me select a new phono pre.... a whole lot of info to digest and investigate in replacing my well modified Jolida JD9.

Ended up finding a great deal on a Pass Labs XP-15 from Mark at Reno HiFi.... thanks for that recommendation.

The XP-15 arrived late afternoon yesterday, and it took about 3.5 hours to thaw out lol    Installed it and started playing with loading.   Overall initial impression is that it is a HUGE improvement over the JD9.... quieter, much much quieter, better dynamics, more articulate and better imaging. But so far the most noticeable improvement is in the more realistic timing and decay in piano notes, cymbal and drum strikes. Very cool.
FYI,  using a Talisman V2 gold cartridge. Best settings "so far" on the XP-15, in my system,  are gain at mid point and loading at 311 ohms....

It's always a great feeling when you hear something better as you change a gear.   

Congrats.  Enjoy.  You have a whole new collection to rediscover.

[Elizabeth]

Congrats.  Enjoy.  You have a whole new collection to rediscover.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^

I find it amazing how an upgrade seems to make the whole LP collection new again!
Being able to hears everything in new ways...

PS I love my Audio Research Sp-15 which I use just for the three tube phono section. Everything else in my system is on 24/7/365, except the Sp-15. It does take an hour or two to sound it's best.. But I want to save the tubes more than I want it to sound perfect every moment.
I have a Kuzma Stabi/Stogi S (the brass pipe design) with a Dynavector 17D3, connected to the ARC.

[jimpittsburgh]

Going through the XP-15 set up process for my Talisman V2 gold cartridge, I discovered what a huge difference in staging and articulation that a change of just 25 to 50 ohms makes.  It got me wondering how many systems/ cartridges that I've heard over the years, that I didn't like, were the result of a poor match in the phono pre?

I moved the Jolida to my man cave system, which uses a MM cartridge,  bypassing the built in phono pre in the receiver and got a significantly better sound there also.

Evidently, never gave load matching the attention that it deserved.... my system, your results may vary...