Best phono stage?

[Pani]

Friends, I am about to change my phonostage. I use a Loricraft Garrard 301. Cartridge most probably is going to be a Lyra Kleos or Ortofon Per Windfeld. I need to choose between FM Acoustics 122 mk2 and Audio Research Ref phono2 SE. There is no way I can hear them in a system and compare. I have heard the FM phono couple of times in different systems and always felt they sound very good. Neutral, dynamic and open sounding though a bit dry in the mids, still very acceptable. What I really like about the FM is it is very fast. The PRAT is superb, music always sounds without any distortion in timing and tempo (lots of equipments have a problem in this area). I wonder how the ARC Ref phono2 SE would do against the FM. Will it be as quick and crisp sounding as the FM ?

 

[ddk]

Friends, I am about to change my phonostage. I use a Loricraft Garrard 301. Cartridge most probably is going to be a Lyra Kleos or Ortofon Per Windfeld. I need to choose between FM Acoustics 122 mk2 and Audio Research Ref phono2 SE. There is no way I can hear them in a system and compare. I have heard the FM phono couple of times in different systems and always felt they sound very good. Neutral, dynamic and open sounding though a bit dry in the mids, still very acceptable. What I really like about the FM is it is very fast. The PRAT is superb, music always sounds without any distortion in timing and tempo (lots of equipments have a problem in this area). I wonder how the ARC Ref phono2 SE would do against the FM. Will it be as quick and crisp sounding as the FM ?

Hi Pani,

I categorically recommend you stay away from the ARC, I don't like it at all. IMO the FM A is far superior and very good as far solid state phono stages go. I'd like to make another suggestion for a tube phono, the Lamm LP2.1 you'll be surprised how excellent it sounds.

david

(Disclaimer, I am a Lamm dealer)

 

[XV-1]

Friends, I am about to change my phonostage. I use a Loricraft Garrard 301. Cartridge most probably is going to be a Lyra Kleos or Ortofon Per Windfeld. I need to choose between FM Acoustics 122 mk2 and Audio Research Ref phono2 SE. There is no way I can hear them in a system and compare. I have heard the FM phono couple of times in different systems and always felt they sound very good. Neutral, dynamic and open sounding though a bit dry in the mids, still very acceptable. What I really like about the FM is it is very fast. The PRAT is superb, music always sounds without any distortion in timing and tempo (lots of equipments have a problem in this area). I wonder how the ARC Ref phono2 SE would do against the FM. Will it be as quick and crisp sounding as the FM ?

I used to own the FM 122. Only piece I regret selling. Its a wonderful phono stage.

Just make sure you have enough overall gain in your system to work with the low 56db gain in the fm phono.

 

[Pani]

David, thanks for your comments. Could you please elaborate on why you do not like ARC phono ? What sonic traits do you hear in it that puts you off ?

 

[Pani]

I used to own the FM 122. Only piece I regret selling. Its a wonderful phono stage.

Just make sure you have enough overall gain in your system to work with the low 56db gain in the fm phono.

That's a terrific system you have there xv-1. You can always buy anothe FM 122 . That 56db gain definitely seems on the lower side. So how do one use a cartridge like Ortofon cadenza or per windfeld or even dynavector xx2 mk2 all of which have an output of 0.3 mv ? Even if the system has the gain, isn't the phonostage gain very crucial for proper dynamics and signal to noise ratio ?

 

[bonzo75]

Both Gian and I have heard the Zyx Diamond play through this phono, and Zyx's are usually 0.24 mv. http://zero-distortion.org/yamamura-horns/

I also heard an SPJ Alba with Koetsu Blue Lace sound excellent through this, the guy then moved on to Audio Tekne, never heard that. He is on this forum, robbyd (infrequent poster).

 

[ddk]

David, thanks for your comments. Could you please elaborate on why you do not like ARC phono ? What sonic traits do you hear in it that puts you off ?

It's hifi and not musical at all like their preamps; IMO.

david

 

[Atmasphere]

I need to choose between FM Acoustics 122 mk2 and Audio Research Ref phono2 SE. There is no way I can hear them in a system and compare.

This is a bit puzzling to me! Why do you have to choose between these two and only these two? There are a lot of phono circuits out there...

 

[microstrip]

Friends, I am about to change my phonostage. I use a Loricraft Garrard 301. Cartridge most probably is going to be a Lyra Kleos or Ortofon Per Windfeld. I need to choose between FM Acoustics 122 mk2 and Audio Research Ref phono2 SE. There is no way I can hear them in a system and compare. I have heard the FM phono couple of times in different systems and always felt they sound very good. Neutral, dynamic and open sounding though a bit dry in the mids, still very acceptable. What I really like about the FM is it is very fast. The PRAT is superb, music always sounds without any distortion in timing and tempo (lots of equipments have a problem in this area). I wonder how the ARC Ref phono2 SE would do against the FM. Will it be as quick and crisp sounding as the FM ?

I own the ARC REF2SE and can assure you in the proper system is really a top phono preamplifier - extremely musical - but consider my preamplifier is an ARC REF40 and I get a special synergy in the system. However, as you own Audio Note electronics, perhaps the FM Acoustics 122 mk2 is a good choice in the dark - a friend owned the old FM222 and it sounded great with VAC electronics - curiously at that time with my current Forsell Airforce One!

However, at less considering the usual rankings in Europe, the REF2 is a superior phono preamplifier - it will cost here more than the double of the price of an used 122.

 

[bonzo75]

Pani, one more for your reference http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...ow-do-they-sound&p=90089&viewfull=1#post90089

 

[Pani]

This is a bit puzzling to me! Why do you have to choose between these two and only these two? There are a lot of phono circuits out there...

Thats true Ralph. I am just applying some filters to arrive at the least number of phonostages to choose from. Filters like:

1. Already heard and do not like
2. Availabilty
3. Flexibility (need full MC)
4. Need least number of tubes (if at all) since rest of my system is tube based
5. Accurate, dynamic, wide-band and quiet
6. Budget

Pani, one more for your reference http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...ll=1#post90089

Thanks bonzo75. Thats good info.

Unfortunately, there doesnt seem to be any post that directly talks about the sonic character of both and their differences. I just know that FM is fast, dynamic and adequately fluid which is a good start.

 

[JackD201]

Of those I carry

Cost no Object

Tube: Lamm LP1 Signature
Solid State: CH Precision L1 + X1

High Value input limited : Lamm LP2.1
High Value multi-input: Valvet Soulphono

Those I don't carry but love and respect

Tube

EMT JPA66
VAC Signature Phono

SS

Constellation Orion

Would love to hear

Trinity Phono

Latest from Nick Doshi

 

[Pani]

I have heard the Lamm LL2 preamp and LP2.1 phono. They sounded rich and fluid but not quick. I do like them but I need something crisp and lively for my system. Lamm is not that.

 

[KeithR]

the new, 2 box Einstein phono looks cool.

 

[ddk]

I have heard the Lamm LL2 preamp and LP2.1 phono. They sounded rich and fluid but not quick. I do like them but I need something crisp and lively for my system. Lamm is not that.

This is good information, since this is your taste then the ARC will fit the bill for you.

david

 

[JackD201]

I have heard the Lamm LL2 preamp and LP2.1 phono. They sounded rich and fluid but not quick. I do like them but I need something crisp and lively for my system. Lamm is not that.

Do you already have an X1 PS? It looks like a double board X1 to power your C1 and an X1 could be the ticket. CH is really fast as you know. The X1s add body, dynamics (quieter) and density to that speed.

 

[harleyguy]

Tenor audio best i have heard

of those i carry

cost no object

tube: Lamm lp1 signature
solid state: Ch precision l1 + x1

high value input limited : Lamm lp2.1
high value multi-input: Valvet soulphono

those i don't carry but love and respect

tube

emt jpa66
vac signature phono

ss

constellation orion

would love to hear

trinity phono

latest from nick doshi

 

[JackD201]

When did they come out with one HG?

 

[bonzo75]

Richard mak reviewed it some time ago http://www.monoandstereo.com/2016/09/tenor-phono-1-review-by-richard-h-mak.html

Harleyguy, Tenor 75 OTL is by far my favorite amp.

 

[harleyguy]

My set up is all tenor with tech das afo

richard mak reviewed it some time ago http://www.monoandstereo.com/2016/09/tenor-phono-1-review-by-richard-h-mak.html

harleyguy, tenor 75 otl is by far my favorite amp.