Balanced phonostage query

"Any further views on your AQVOX phono-stage?

I'm seriously contemplating one.

Did you find another UK dealer or is it just analogue seduction who stocks them?"

I didn't end up trying the AQvox since it took forever for the German company to send the 5pin din cable to XLR for my SME arm to Analogue Seduction and I gave up after two months of waiting.

 

Curio,

Thanks for the heads up. Not been in the forum for a while.

I did not consider the Whest primarily because its not balanced throughout. I am running my system fully balanced and already have a great single ended Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 fully modded by the designer so wanted to try out a fully balanced unit. I've had to put it on hold at the moment given the uncertainty about jobs in London. I may visit Whest if I get the itch to see how it compares to my SF.

Cheers
Al

 

Hello Al .. are you talking about balanced inputs?
Whest Audio PS30R is balanced and has balanced Outputs

 

Hi Curio,

Yes I thought that even if the input is single ended and the output is impedance balanced then it is not a fully differential balanced signal from input to output. The signal coming out is a balanced output but there is a conversion process.

My understanding was that a cartridge's out is a balanced signal so I was interested getting this signal fully balanced throughout my system without any conversion. If my understanding is wrong please let me know. I'm not a tech person but just read a few info.

Thanks
Al

 

You're right mtb, although there (surprisingly) aren't that many options if you do want the signal balanced from start to finish.

 

Even fewer if you want integral volume control as well - I could only find the ps audio

 

If going down the PS audio route check it out in your system first I had one on demo it spiked badly and found it really heard to get a good sound out of it.
The Whest30r is great but found no difference going balanced or single ended and I have the capacity to go fully balanced throughout my system so should of made a difference

 

Spiked?

Mine is the extensively modified one produced by Cullen. I haven't had any problems in the last 6 months or so.