Mid range phono stage... what shortlist? (£2k second hand)

[Tim F]

One way to look at the 88PB is that you don't need a preamp, so that saves money. The gain knob on the 88PB is an Alps pot which you can use as volume control. So cartridge -> 88PB -> amplifier. They pop up used in Europe from time to time.

Friend has a moon integrated so no benefit to a separate pre

 

[Tim F]

There is a Tom Evans Groove 20 th anniversary for sale @ £1500.

Yes it’s in Italy and seems to be a Uk unit. Interesting but tax on import may not make it worth buying.

 

[richard_crl032]

So many suggestions! Thanks all

I can look at all of these, if they have “beaten” something else that’d be really helpful to know, or if you heard them what were they like?

cheers Tim

Do check out what is LCR phono amp is about e.g. recommended Aurorasound Vida.

Verdict

This quintessentially Japanese slice of analogue exotica is artfully engineered to give an incisive and detailed sound, yet one that’s genuinely musical too, providing a wide open window onto the vinyl groove.

 

[Barry2013]

So many suggestions! Thanks all

I can look at all of these, if they have “beaten” something else that’d be really helpful to know, or if you heard them what were they like?

cheers Tim

My Goldnote PH10 +PSU replaced a more expensive Whest PS30RDT SE and is a distinct improvement in sound quality.
All the settings are adjustable from the front knob which is such a welcome change from fiddling around with rear dip switches.
It is actually an interim buy while awaiting a Luxman EQ 500 which has been unavailable for nearly twelve months now because Luxman have been unable to get the parts, but it has comfortably exceeded expectations at its price level.
Certainly worth the time to checkout.

 

[analyzer]

My Goldnote PH10 +PSU replaced a more expensive Whest PS30RDT SE and is a distinct improvement in sound quality.
All the settings are adjustable from the front knob which is such a welcome change from fiddling around with rear dip switches.
It is actually an interim buy while awaiting a Luxman EQ 500 which has been unavailable for nearly twelve months now because Luxman have been unable to get the parts, but it has comfortably exceeded expectations at its price level.
Certainly worth the time to checkout.

What a curious situation! Mee too I had exactly the same Whest phonostage and I replaced in 2018 by a Goldnote PH-10 with separate PSU. Exactly as you...
All the best
Marco

 

[marslo]

There is a Tom Evans Groove 20 th anniversary for sale @ £1500.

Even better and UK ( Wales) based is Tom Evans Groove + SRX mk2 .
SRX stands for separate power supply , mk2 has new Lithos regulators with improved signal to noise ratio.
The new one costs around 5 k GBP but second hand should be available for 2- 2,5 k GBP.
Tom can adjust the phono stage for the output of you cartrigde which he did for my Shelter Harmony, I am very happy with the combo.

Groove+ SRX mkII | Tom Evans Audio Design

 

[Solypsa]

Klyne 7px phono used for this price around 2.5k€ View attachment 88361

Stan Klyne lives an hour or so out of Seattle. I emailed him a few years ago to see of he still makes any new product, he is retired. Shame no one carries on the company as his phono is / was quite good. I never see them for sale tho...

 

[Barry2013]

What a curious situation! Mee too I had exactly the same Whest phonostage and I replaced in 2018 by a Goldnote PH-10 with separate PSU. Exactly as you...
All the best
Marco

Great minds (and ears) think alike Marco!
Best
Barry

 

[DasguteOhr]

Stan Klyne lives an hour or so out of Seattle. I emailed him a few years ago to see of he still makes any new product, he is retired. Shame no one carries on the company as his phono is / was quite good. I never see them for sale tho...

The last one sold at ebay for 1200€ in oktober 2021, i was to slow.
it is an exceptional piece of equipment it does not limit, no matter what type of pickup is connected it brings the advantages or errors to light. there was no review in europe so it got never the attention it deserved.

 

[Tim F]

Goldnote PH10 and PSU picked up. Can’t thank you all enough. There is a luxman on hifiwigwam

 

[Barry2013]

Great Tim.
I am sure you will be very pleased with it.
Thank you very much for the heads up on Luxman. I have sent him a PM and am waiting to hear back.

 

[dhansak79]

Thanks, Tim! And thanks everyone else. Looking forward to getting my new phono stage!

Daniel

 

[dhansak79]

Has anyone tried the tube output stage with their PH-10?

 

[Barry2013]

Goldnote PH10 and PSU picked up. Can’t thank you all enough. There is a luxman on hifiwigwam

Hi Tim
Just a quick update on my earlier post.
I got in touch with the Hifiwigwam seller of the Luxman EQ500 you kindly alerted me to. Finalised a deal with him earlier today in which he as bought my PH10/PSU as art of the deal for the Luxman.
Due to arrive on Tuesday am.
So many thanks and I hope you are enjoying the your Goldnote.
Best
Barry

 

[dhansak79]

Hi everyone. Thanks to Tim and your advice my Gold Note PH10 and PS10 arrived today and I’m currently revelling in a step change in sound quality in my system.

Tim suggested I ask for some help with settings here. I’d be interested in any advice.

I have Rega P8/Apheta 3, Moon 340iX and Monitor Audio Gold 100 in addition to the Gold Note.

Thank you in advance
Daniel

 

[modwright]

Modwright PH 9.0. Great tube phono.

View attachment 88384

Thank you! Our best selling product of all time!

 

[modwright]

two more to add, ones I'd go to if making a change myself ........

Parasound JC3+

Modwright PH 9.0x

I hope you are enjoying the PH 9.0X!

 

[PierreB]

Thank you! Our best selling product of all time!

I also have the KWH 225i. Very great integrated.

 

[Croc999]

I've got CANOR TP306 VR+ - and it sounds amazing.
Built like a tank. Better than my ARC Ref5 preamp.
And it's flexible with gains and loadings - which was important to me and indeed paid dividends in tuning sound just right to my liking.

 

[Ricco275]

I’m in between a gold note PH1000 Lite and the Whest Audio 30 or 40. Any advice please?