Best phono stage?

[abeidrov]

if you get with your Lampi DAC a balanced and well received sound, you will found with the following Phonostages a similar signature:

Allnic H-7000v

Phasemation EA-1200

if your budget will give you the freedom:

Allnic H-8000 DHT

Phasemation EA-2000

Air Tight ATE 3011 plus Kondo SFZ step up

EMT JPA 66


CHP, Boulder, JMF are in a complete different camp

What about Aesthetix IO? Would you agree, that it is in the first camp with Allnic, Phasemation etc.?
Thanks in advance.

 

[bonzo75]

What about Aesthetix IO? Would you agree, that it is in the first camp with Allnic, Phasemation etc.?
Thanks in advance.

I compared IO Eclipse to Allnic 5000 (the previous top of the line DHT now replaced by the 8000) with different carts. They are almost equal, the Allnic has more flow that I prefer, but the IO eclipse has the midbass weight and punch. The thing is IO Eclipse needs 20+ carefully tuned valves while Allnic 5000 needs one recti, and maybe 2 300bs. The 7000 is not known to be as good as the 5000 or 8000, but is a great value for money and I was able to sell it back in the market with zero loss. I compared it to Ypsilon with Lyra Atlas and once the Allnic recti was switched it was close, I preferred the midbass and energy of the Allnic, the Ypsilon had a higher clean high. And the used price of the Allnic was half that of the Ypsilon + SUT, maybe even less than half.

Moral of the story: If you have the IO eclipse and it is working well and you like it, I wouldn't switch.

 

[abeidrov]

I compared IO Eclipse to Allnic 5000 (the previous top of the line DHT now replaced by the 8000) with different carts. They are almost equal, the Allnic has more flow that I prefer, but the IO eclipse has the midbass weight and punch. The thing is IO Eclipse needs 20+ carefully tuned valves while Allnic 5000 needs one recti, and maybe 2 300bs. The 7000 is not known to be as good as the 5000 or 8000, but is a great value for money and I was able to sell it back in the market with zero loss. I compared it to Ypsilon with Lyra Atlas and once the Allnic recti was switched it was close, I preferred the midbass and energy of the Allnic, the Ypsilon had a higher clean high. And the used price of the Allnic was half that of the Ypsilon + SUT, maybe even less than half.

Moral of the story: If you have the IO eclipse and it is working well and you like it, I wouldn't switch.

I already switched Too late.

 

[Lagonda]

I already switched Too late.

It was not working well ?

 

[bonzo75]

I already switched Too late.

to?

 

[abeidrov]

to?

It’s in the signature - P1. Very happy so far. Sound wise it’s on the same level or above in some aspects. I was afraid, I would loose some tonal density, but so far all is good. The fact that I can keep it on 24/7 and not worry about heat is enough to make me smile. Also, thinking about second tonearm and cartridge.

 

[bonzo75]

It’s in the signature - P1. Very happy so far. Sound wise it’s on the same level or above in some aspects. I was afraid, I would loose some tonal density, but so far all is good. The fact that I can keep it on 24/7 and not worry about heat is enough to make me smile. Also, thinking about second tonearm and cartridge.

oh yes but that’s very different direction to the queries of aesthetix Vs Allnic Vs Phasemation. Sure that’s a direction for you to choose between those and CH

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

It’s in the signature - P1. Very happy so far. Sound wise it’s on the same level or above in some aspects. I was afraid, I would loose some tonal density, but so far all is good. The fact that I can keep it on 24/7 and not worry about heat is enough to make me smile. Also, thinking about second tonearm and cartridge.

'abeidrov', In your future hifi expenditure plans I would 100% recommend you get the CH X1 to go with your P1 and L1 ! (unless you already have it - can't see it in your signature box !)

 

[abeidrov]

oh yes but that’s very different direction to the queries of aesthetix Vs Allnic Vs Phasemation. Sure that’s a direction for you to choose between those and CH

Sure, just wanted to highlight to the OP, that Aesthetix is another valid option, if he decides to go the first camp route.

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

It’s in the signature - P1. Very happy so far. Sound wise it’s on the same level or above in some aspects. I was afraid, I would loose some tonal density, but so far all is good. The fact that I can keep it on 24/7 and not worry about heat is enough to make me smile. Also, thinking about second tonearm and cartridge.

did you hear the RX L based phonostage from Eugen Komissarow?

 

[bonzo75]

Sure, just wanted to highlight to the OP, that Aesthetix is another valid option, if he decides to go the first camp route.

ah ok.

 

[Lagonda]

I compared IO Eclipse to Allnic 5000 (the previous top of the line DHT now replaced by the 8000) with different carts. They are almost equal, the Allnic has more flow that I prefer, but the IO eclipse has the midbass weight and punch. The thing is IO Eclipse needs 20+ carefully tuned valves while Allnic 5000 needs one recti, and maybe 2 300bs. The 7000 is not known to be as good as the 5000 or 8000, but is a great value for money and I was able to sell it back in the market with zero loss. I compared it to Ypsilon with Lyra Atlas and once the Allnic recti was switched it was close, I preferred the midbass and energy of the Allnic, the Ypsilon had a higher clean high. And the used price of the Allnic was half that of the Ypsilon + SUT, maybe even less than half.

Moral of the story: If you have the IO eclipse and it is working well and you like it, I wouldn't switch.

20 tubes ? 34 in the dual power supply version !

 

[bonzo75]

20 tubes ? 34 in the dual power supply version !

20+ it was 26 at one point?

 

[Argonaut]

20 tubes ? 34 in the dual power supply version !

Seems a tad excessive to get the job done No ?

 

[thekong]

For the Io, 16 tubes in the amplification chassis, plus 8 tubes in each of the power supplies

 

[Lagonda]

For the Io, 16 tubes in the amplification chassis, plus 8 tubes in each of the power supplies

You are right ! "Only " 32 tubes totally, i stand corrected mine is packed up for repair again so i could not make a fast count

 

[Lagonda]

Seems a tad excessive to get the job done No ?

None of those nasty step-up transformers in the signal chain !

 

[thekong]

Hi Lagonda, you are not alone, my Io also had just came back from a repair, by a local technician

 

[abeidrov]

did you hear the RX L based phonostage from Eugen Komissarow?

Nope

 

[Lagonda]

Hi Lagonda, you are not alone, my Io also had just came back from a repair, by a local technician

My plan is to befriend a local tube repair man, like owning a classic Aston Martin, the Io needs a mechanic on speed dial !