Ray Samuels Phono Stage?

ACHiPo

Not sure if this reply is stale for you.

Borrowed the F117 for a weekend. I have used an EAR 834p in my 864 preamp for about fourteen years, Audible Illusions 2D for five years before that and numerous phono stages while owning the 864 preamp. The F-117 performs beyond it's price point, as far as cleanliness and precision of its performance. It's almost noiseless, almost digital in its quiet. Imaging is very good for twice the price. Depending on what you like it could be wonderful. Was too "stiff" and insufficiently nuanced for my taste. Whether it will satisfy you depends on what you're looking for. Without deriding it, I can appreciate the Nighthawk's performance while not being sold on it, either.

For me and my budget, I'd spend more and look at the Tom Evans Microgroove +. TEM+ was as detailed, imaged better and was a more nuanced performance. TEM+ shares a bit of the F-117's precision, but does it with more finesse and with better differentiation of tonal colors, so it's more broadly appealing. I can imagine some tube-ophiles liking the TEM+ but not liking the F-117, but can't imagine dig-philes reversing that.

A bogeyman in high performance audio is "perfection." It's not available and only serves to make "seekers" nervous that they're missing out on something that would end their pursuit. If you "just listened to music" instead of analyzing it, you could be happy with the F-117, the TEM+, the EAR 834p or any number of other phono stages. Having said that, I've spent a great deal of time as a seeker, as nearly everyone on this board has, though it's more like everyone on this board, protestations to the contrary.

AC

Glad you like your choice. Seems like there is a family resemblance between the XR-10B with more musical nuance at the higher price.

ACHiPo said:

In my search for a phono stage to replace my Rowland Consummate I came across a couple pretty positive reviews for Ray Samuels's phono stages. His F-117 seems to have a lot more press than the XR-10B, but the XR-10B reviews were pretty glowing. It also looks like Mr. Samuels is doing pretty well in the portable amp and headphone amp arenas, although he still makes and sells phono stages.

Thanks in advance for any input on any of Samuels's products, and specifically his phono stages.

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I realise this is an old thread, but hopefully this feedback will assist someone...


I spent a number of years trying to get the NIGHTHAWK phono stage to sing.



I had read so many rave reviews about the NIGHTHAWK - but simply could not get fully engaged with its sound - that I almost concluded that vinyl just wasn't for me.

Fortunately, I was able to try the superb TRICHORD DELPHINI twin chassis phono stage and I have never looked back. A night and day difference.

As such, I consider the NIGHTHAWK to be a very flexible, budget phono enabler that is very overrated for sound quality.

For those of you underwhelmed by your NIGHTHAWK phono stage, it is NOT your imagination.

Don't give up!