valve phono stage.

Hi

A lot of discussion about phono stages at the mo. Might as well join in with my own thread.

Looking for a VALVE phono stage to match a Sheltor 901. The cartridge is a touch lively on top so not looking for a bright or forward phono stage. But at same time not warm, either. Neutrality would be a plus. Here are the ones I'm aware of:

The EAR 834P is an obvious and excellent contender and can be cheapish s/h.

Apparently, the Artemis PH-1 is a benchmark valve product (neutral and extremely quiet) but a bit over budget at £2k new.

http://artemislabs.com/PH-1-vacuum-tube-phono-preamp.html

Next, the Cole from hifi supply in Hong Kong. This is seems to be well regarded but the LCR module cole version is currently unavailable, which leaves the great value standard version. Never heard either, though.

Finally, the Lector. Not listened to this but reckon it might be a bit on the warm side for my taste.

Any insights or suggestions appreciated.

 

hi, i am now trying the project tube box 2 and the tube box se,. so far so good impedance ajustement both m.m. m.c. witch i am comparing with my m.f. KW phono, very interesting. what else do you use for musical pleasure?.nando

 

A trip to the Emporium would allow you to try the Lector and (as a reference) Shindo and Viva phono stages.


A used 834p at circa £300 is the bargain it always has been, but I'm quietly confident the best valve phono stages out there will be better...... (but how much better?) - I've never had a wallet full enough to warrant finding out!

 

Very interesting, Nando. The Project MC stage has never been praised much as far as I know, but that doesn't mean it isn't good...

Would love to find out the results of your experiments!

Cheers,
Jack

 

hi jack, when i have finished you are welcome to try it or them yurself,regards,nando

 

Good idea, although might be difficult to get a reliable impression on a system so different from my own.

Actually, I wish I had called this thread 'Impressions of the Cole', as I am really interested in it as a possible alternative to the 834P- being similarly priced.

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_cole.htm

The LCR Cole is currently unavailable so how is the standard Cole rated? What is it like tonally? Opinions of it from a few people would be grrrrrreat.

 

I use a (tweaked to the gills) diyhifisupply Basie pre-amp, and rate it very highly.

I got you-know-who to build it for me of course, or rather fix the complete bollocksed job I did of it.

I dont know of anybody here who has a Cole.. maybe someone might pipe up!

 

Cool. And while we wait, I think I'll just go outside to the garden and pipe up myself :MILD: Lovely evening out there!

 

anybody remembers the 70's phono stages,? so simple yet so great, when denon brought out their most famous m.c. still manufacturers started to make step ups , not at very expensive "hiper"prices yet i believe we all enjoyed our vynil , how ever times have gone to the past in a very different way "if you haven't got one of this" ahhh.

 

Just to add more questions..... has anyone tried the k&k phonostage? There seem to be more temptations for vinyl playback toys than ever before.... good isn't it=)
http://www.kandkaudio.com/phonostage.html

 

Cole

Hi Baudrillard,

For some info on the Cole, see the following thread:

https://www.audio-forums.com/as-rediect/showthread.php?t=11509&highlight=cole

grivois

 

A friend uses the Icon Audio PS1 phono stage with offboard psu (with Orbe TT and Border Patrols). Sounds very good, well built and great value imo.

http://www.iconaudio.co.uk/ProductRange.htm

 

Interesting Icon model


Grivois, according to Brian, there is no indication when they will receive the LCR modules again- it could be quite a while. Not sure whether it's worth being patient for the LCR Cole or buying a standard version instead? How superior is the former?

 

LCR Cole

Thorsten explains the differences in the link that I posted above. I haven't heard the LCR Cole yet!

 

If you're after valve phono stages, you should consider the following:

Bottlehead Phono
Icon Audio/ Miing-Da
ProJect Tubebox
Eastern Electric Phonomax
AudioValve Sunilda
Lector Phonoamp
Audio Research PH3SE
Audio Research PH5
Balanced Audio Technology VK-P5

I'm sure one of the above will fit your price/performance criteria. All excellent stages AFAIK. The PH5 is amazing btw - the bass man, the bass!!

DT

 

Thanks for the list DT. I might just leave the PH5, as the SME IV is already known for its bottom end and the Spacedeck isn't exactly 'thin' sounding either.

The VK-P5 looks interesting- but 10 tubes. That's a lot of glass!

Grivois, T only gave a technical explanation. I'm more interested in where the Cole sits on the fence tonally.

 

Hi,

Somewhat in the middle, like most of designs. I tend not to go for any specific trickery, stunt bass etc. I'm after a neutral but realistic reproduction of the music and generally like realistic dynamics (as in uncompressed) and the ability to convey the emotion in the music..

The actual "el cheapo" the Cole has been derived from has been build by many people quite a few times and generally seems to be liked. It has been compared to many a design, commercial and DIY and held up very well.

From experience, unless you really like the sound of the EAR, the Cole with S&B TX-103's is likely a better choice. If you like the EAR Sound, stick to it....

Ciao T

 

Baudrillard, There are some comments on the DiYhifi forum:http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=diyhifi&n=5464&highlight=cole+thorsten&r=&session=

 

Thanks for that G.

T, just trying to understand the pricing on the Hong Kong webite. If you add the S&B TX-103 to the Standard Cole you have to add $480 to $418 (= $898)- that before any other upgrades?

Just to clarify, you can add the S&B TX-103 to the standard Cole but NOT to the LCR Cole, which only comes with the amorphous core stepup transformer

 

Hi,

Yes.

It used to be possible to get the LCR Version with S&B 103's. Extrapolating, this would likely cost you $ US 1,900 FOB UK where you probably pay around 25% of that ($ 475) tax/duty.

So expect a landed cost around UK £ 1,280 for the maxxed out version. Equally, the most basic set with AM core MC Stepups would be around UK £ 415 landed cost.

Ciao T