What are some of best solid state phono?

[zebo67]

Thank you all for your recommendations…top of my list; SoulNote E2, Esoteric E-02, Vitus RP-102 and CH P1.

 

[hongkongfoufou]

I have an Esoteric E-03, the very old model.
The new model is the E-02.
Now I have an Accuphase C47. It's above the Esoteric E-03 I will sell on Audiomarkt.
Esoteric E-03 has 2 inputs and RCA outputs.
Accuphase has 4 inputs and XLR and RCA outputs, subsonic filter, gain for MC cartridges.
The Accuphase C47 is very neutral.
The sound is beautiful.

 

[Johan K]

Hi @zebo67 ,

In the mid-high priced range, you might wanna consider the D’Agostino Momentum Phonostage aswell. 2 MC / 2 MM inputs. 70dB / 50dB gain with +/- 6dB adjustment. Both balanced and single ended inputs. Very easy to operate as all the adjustments knobs are on the front panel. I like it very much, and it has been in my system over five years now.

/ Jk

 

[heihei]

RCM Big Phono should be on the list too - v impressive

 

[hogen]

And JMF Audio PHS 3.7

 

[Majkel]

Edison II Brinkmann!

 

[JRW1971]

Mike, thanks you for the recommendations. I’ll check it out…HSE reminds me of another Swiss brand - FM Acoustics.

My FM Acoustics 223 Phonomaster just arrived. It’s a wonderful SS phonostage. It’s really impressing me. (Having nothing to do with the declicker functions, although they work well without sonic penalty).

 

[rob]

if you like the Accuphase phono board why not try their stand alone phono.

I have compared the plug in board with a C-27 and heard a worthwhile improvement. Plus you get 3 inputs which gives you the flexibility of 3 T/Tables or 3 arms. I run 2 tables and an extra arm with a mono cartridge. Adjustable gain and loading seperate for all inputs, MM & MC capabilities It’s a very competent device.
You can pay more, but not convinced there are significant performance gains to be had from here. A different sound sure, unless you find that’s part of the fun?

 

[zebo67]

if you like the Accuphase phono board why not try their stand alone phono.

I have compared the plug in board with a C-27 and heard a worthwhile improvement. Plus you get 3 inputs which gives you the flexibility of 3 T/Tables or 3 arms. I run 2 tables and an extra arm with a mono cartridge. Adjustable gain and loading seperate for all inputs, MM & MC capabilities It’s a very competent device.
You can pay more, but not convinced there are significant performance gains to be had from here. A different sound sure, unless you find that’s part of the fun?

Thank you Rob. The C-57 is also on my list — it seems like the logical companion for my Accuphase integrated in terms of synergy. Having independent gain and loading per input is a big advantage, especially when running multiple arms. I agree, at this level it’s more about system synergy and sonic flavor than outright performance gains.

 

[hongkongfoufou]

Thank you Rob. The C-57 i§I HAVE c'ès also on my list — it seems like the logical companion for my Accuphase integrated in terms of synergy. Having independent gain and loading per input is a big advantage, especially when running multiple arms. I agree, at this level it’s more about system synergy and sonic flavor than outright performance gains.

I have the C47.
Great phono amplifier.
Esoteric E-03 too....

 

[scericson]

I've heard very good things about the Channel C Lino D phono stage at around $5,000 +options.

 

[rob]

EAR 324 is another solid state phono stage that maybe worth considering.

I haven’t personally heard one but i have heard most of the pre and power amps, also the budget 834P phono.

I’m a big fan of Tim’s designs and love that dynamic, punchy, clean and smooth EAR sound.

 

[Serenade]

If you do not need multiple inputs, try the boutique British phono specialists Whest. Note that configuring the impedence and gain is a pain. Need to open a panel at the bottom and flip dip switches. If you can accept this, the reward is a phono that is very fast, dynamic and rhythmic. Especially their top two models. I owned their top model for over a decade and was very happy with it. Till my very hostile RF environment forced me to switch to an optical cartridge.

 

[Stevet]

Thank you all for your recommendations…top of my list; SoulNote E2, Esoteric E-02, Vitus RP-102 and CH P1.

If you have the money and it fits with the rest of your analog system then probably the best solid state phono stage currently being made is the new Soulution 757 phono stage, which they call a Deemphasis Preamplifier. Assuming that you are in the US I believe that the current list price for this remarkable piece of equipment is $85,000, so it is pretty expensive. BUT, as with anything hi fi it can be more important that your system (in this case your analog system) works well together as a complete unit. That there be a symbiosis, i.e. a mutually beneficial relationship between all of the parts of your analog system in this case. So if you want the best or at least one of the best you need to have the rest of your analog equipment up to the task, i.e. electricity, wiring, cabling, turntable, arm, cartridge, line stage, amp(s) and speakers up to the task of being able to utilize the best of what your phono stage has to offer. For the Soulution 757 to show its best you need other equipment and accessories on or about at the same level. So if you have equipment on a par with the current line-up of Soulution equipment that will mate well with the Soulution 757 I do not see how you could do better than the Soulution 757 if you are really after "the best" and can afford to do so.

The Boulder 2100 series amps, line stage and phono stage are another option and work quite well with each other, but the rest of your system needs to be up to the task. As with the best solid state equipment, this Boulder 2100 series equipment will show the warts, if there be any.

If you are not in the rarified air of Soulution please do remember that you will need a phono stage which works with the rest of your equipment. So for example do you need balanced you need to make sure that the phono stage you are looking at has true balanced inputs and outputs (while there are a number of excellent SS phono stages which provide for true balanced inputs and outputs, the majority of the phono stages on the market right now do not). You need to make sure that the phono stage has enough gain for the MC cartridge you are using and will likely use in the future. Do you use more than one arm or more than one turntable? If so you need to make sure that the phono stage has enough separate inputs. Are you planning on using an optical phono cartridge, either now or in the future? If so you need to make sure that the phono stage has an optical input. So for example, the Soulution has three inputs, two for MC and/or MM cartridges (one input is only balanced and the other input can either be single ended or balanced) and one additional (a third input) for an optical phono cartridge for which you have the option of either single ended or balanced. The Boulder 2108 phono stage has three inputs, but all are true balanced (you can use an RCA to XLR adapter but that is inferior sound wise).

Finally, with turntables I think more than anything else in hi fi if you want an excellent system which produces excellent sound and you are not already an expert yourself, you should find an expert who is very knowledgeable about all of this (turntables, arms, cartridges, set up (super important), phono stages and etc) and rely upon that person. Make sure to verify that said person has the knowledge and expertise they profess to have and are very knowledgeable about what is available and what works well with your other equipment and are expert at setting up a turntable to produce the best possible analog sound. You can have the best system in the world with the best turntable, arm and cartridge but if your turntable is not set up exactly as it should be you will not get the sound you are looking for. There are many people out there who will set up your turntable, but not that many who have the art and science and experience to truly and properly set up your turntable. In fact it is my experience that a well set up relatively inexpensive turntable will sound better than an expensive turntable which is not set up properly.

Happy hunting.