Best phono stage?

[groovemaster]

Mahler's 3rd Symphony. An opulent journey through the Alps, we heard yesterday with the combination NAGRA preamp and the new Audio Specials Phonolab 1.5. The decision to connect the tone arm via XLR was absolutely right. The innovation of the 1.5 compared to its predecessor 1.0, are the additional balanced inputs with ferrites (sheath current filters) in the input. Absolutely noise- and hum-free. A dynamic, that makes the mountain world appear with a sublimity before us, as Mahler must have felt. Everything that comes to mind is touching.

 

[audioquest4life]

Interesting. Is this product only available in Germany for now? Don’t see anything in the U.S. about this phono amp.

 

[bonzo75]

Mahler's 3rd Symphony. An opulent journey through the Alps, we heard yesterday with the combination NAGRA preamp and the new Audio Specials Phonolab 1.5. The decision to connect the tone arm via XLR was absolutely right. The innovation of the 1.5 compared to its predecessor 1.0, are the additional balanced inputs with ferrites (sheath current filters) in the input. Absolutely noise- and hum-free. A dynamic, that makes the mountain world appear with a sublimity before us, as Mahler must have felt. Everything that comes to mind is touching.

Which performance and pressing?

 

[groovemaster]

Interesting. Is this product only available in Germany for now? Don’t see anything in the U.S. about this phono amp.

In the US, Solypsa Audio sells the AS Phonolabs. Solypsa Audio
Manufacturing and selling in Germany is www.Audiospecials.de . They offer a Testcase with the Phonolab 1.5 to try out in in private Hifi conditions for free. The only honest way to be sure if it fits with your gear.More Informations under info@audiospecials.de.

The Mahler Symphonie was from Japan Records. I will find out the exactly Record soon.

 

[Solypsa]

Have the 1.0 with balanced inputs ready to demo . Can also install the remote volume if demoed in an analog-only rig fyi

1.5 in the works...

 

[groovemaster]

Which performance and pressing?

It was the Super Analogue Disk from Japan. SLA-1231-2, KIJC 9014-5 .
Zubin Meta, Los Angeles Philharmonica Orchestra, Symphonie No. 3 in D-Minor.

Regards
Groovemaster

 

[ArnoFenn]

For me it's an RCL based phono-pre, hashimoto inductors/transformers and a separated power suplly. Smooth, stressless, dynamic

 

[bonzo75]

What are you using for your LCR, and what's the impedance?

 

[ArnoFenn]

What are you using for your LCR, and what's the impedance?

First part of the question is not clear to me since there are a lot of components used in it. Second part, I assume you are referring to the filtering impedance of the design? If so, this is 600 ohm.

 

[bonzo75]

First part of the question is not clear to me since there are a lot of components used in it. Second part, I assume you are referring to the filtering impedance of the design? If so, this is 600 ohm.

Yes, 600 ohms was what the tango riaa and the clone (steve and bellington) used. Thomas mayer, thoersten loesch, used the tango in his phonos till it became unavailable. The impedance of all those was a constant 600 ohm. Leif used the S&B back in 2005.

My question was are you using an off the shelf riaa like the S&B?

 

[ArnoFenn]

It is not off the shelf, single components, 2 years of development, measurements, listening and optimisation ;-), but worth it

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

off the shelf is not necessarily worse, but the satisfaction you get with the personalisation and optimisation - priceless.

 

[analogsa]

Most of the ready made LCR modules are a compromise anyway. Even the ones from Tango. Would I want capacitors from a transformer company? I don't think so. The size of the modules alone precludes the use of nice caps.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

You would not want anything to stand in the way of using nice caps. I give you that.

 

[groovemaster]

I suppose some of you have had problems with hum. In spite of MCIntosh amplifiers hum interferences may be a problem.
Surprisingly, hum is no longer an issue since this set up got the AS Phonolab 1.5, which now runs in balanced mode. May be, it is related also to the special AS Connectors with Sheath current filtering.



But now there is complete silence. Especially when recording classical music in quiet places it is very impressive how sound carpets slowly build up from complete blackness. The old phono stage, on the other hand, fell off very clearly. The Audiospecials Phonolab matches fantastic with the Transrotor Rondino.

 

[Solypsa]

I suppose some of you have had problems with hum. In spite of MCIntosh amplifiers hum interferences may be a problem.
Surprisingly, hum is no longer an issue since this set up got the AS Phonolab 1.5, which now runs in balanced mode. May be, it is related also to the special AS Connectors with Sheath current filtering.

View attachment 72184View attachment 72185

But now there is complete silence. Especially when recording classical music in quiet places it is very impressive how sound carpets slowly build up from complete blackness. The old phono stage, on the other hand, fell off very clearly. The Audiospecials Phonolab matches fantastic with the Transrotor Rondino.

Did you use balanced outputs to the Mac? If so did you prefer 775mv or 1.55v setting?

 

[groovemaster]

Did you use balanced outputs to the Mac? If so did you prefer 775mv or 1.55v setting?

Yes, the balanced out put was used with XLR. Output 775 mV. Gain 68dB.
For the best range of the MAC Volume control. The output transformer was set to 1:1.
Setting to 1:2, is + 6dB ( 74dB) Gain is also possible.Some Cartridges with ultra low output love it.

 

[VinylSavor]

Thomas mayer, thoersten loesch, used the tango in his phonos till it became unavailable.

I still have several pairs of the TANGO LCR EQ modules in stock and can offer LCR phonos with TANGO as an option

 

[Atmasphere]

I suppose some of you have had problems with hum. In spite of MCIntosh amplifiers hum interferences may be a problem.
Surprisingly, hum is no longer an issue since this set up got the AS Phonolab 1.5, which now runs in balanced mode. May be, it is related also to the special AS Connectors with Sheath current filtering.

If you are running balanced, hum really shouldn't be an issue, and there's no need for special connectors or shielding if the tonearm interconnect cable is built properly (twisted pair within a shield, with low capacitance). XLR connectors work extremely well.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Yes, 600 ohms was what the tango riaa and the clone (steve and bellington) used. Thomas mayer, thoersten loesch, used the tango in his phonos till it became unavailable. The impedance of all those was a constant 600 ohm. Leif used the S&B back in 2005.

It was already some time ago, but I remember that Thorsten did use tango in his phonos.