Tube phono preamp options

newbie308

I'm considering a few tube phono preamplifiers under $2000 and I am interested to know if anyone in the PF community has experience with any of the following:

ANK level 3
Aural Thrills Serenade
Budgie

I'm open to other recommendations as well. My only gripe with the ANK and the ATA is that they are very large, and I would prefer the power supply to be in a separate enclosure. I suppose, with the ANK I could package it in my own enclosure since it is a kit. I have a good selection of NOS 12AX7 tubes, but not many 6922 tubes for rolling.

newbie308

I was just reading some older posts and saw @F1nut suggested the Musical Surroundings Nova II. I know that this is not a tube pre, but I definitely respect his opinions when it comes to equipment, so I will add this to the list of preamps I'm considering.

SCompRacer

You're a diy type. Look at the Bottlehead Eros 2. Ive had Hagerman, Modwright, Krell Reference KPE, Innersound phono ( made by Coda). IMO it punches way past its price point.

I have the Eros, the 2 is slightly larger, easier to assemble and provides space for SUT's. Read the in depth for details.

https://bottlehead.com/product/eros-2-phono-preamplifier-kit/

Clipdat

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649864736-manley-chinook-tube-phono-preamp/

newbie308

Clipdat wrote: »

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649864736-manley-chinook-tube-phono-preamp/

I was just looking at that.

Clipdat

Seems like a great deal! I would buy it if I wasn't so god damn lazy and actually played vinyl daily. And if I had piles of cash.

For now I am happy with my iFi iPhono 3 BL though. Although the Manley is definitely tempting.

jdjohn

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/196639/big-bottle-audio-bb3-tube-phonostage/p1
I bought mine assembled, but I believe they sell them as kits, too. It uses one 12AX7/ECC83, and two PCC88.

These Herron get a lot of good reviews as well. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649929217-herron-vtph-2a-phono-preamplifier/ They use a combination of 12AX7 and 12AT7, depending on the desired amount of gain.

Joey linked to a Tavish Design Audio Adagio not too long ago, but they don't use any 12AX7.

newbie308

I was just reading up on the Rogue Ares Magnum. There's a few available used for attractive prices in the usual places. I've narrowed down the field to the Ares or the Chinook. I do like that the Ares has a separate power supply, but I haven't found one Chinook review that complained of hum.

invalid

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649925185-space-tech-lab-p103mm-amp-str-104-mk2-super-rectifier-300b-tubes/

This has a separate power supply, it's used but you didn't specify used or new. I don't have any experience with his phone preamps, but his tube dac and preamp sound really great. I did read a user review that said his phone preamp sounded better than a modwright phono preamp without the separate power supply.

newbie308

invalid wrote: »

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649925185-space-tech-lab-p103mm-amp-str-104-mk2-super-rectifier-300b-tubes/

This has a separate power supply, it's used but you didn't specify used or new. I don't have any experience with his phone preamps, but his tube dac and preamp sound really great. I did read a user review that said his phone preamp sounded better than a modwright phono preamp without the separate power supply.

That's really cool, but it doesn't really match anything in my current setup. Plus I would need step up transformers if I move into a MC cartridge. I'd prefer something that will accommodate both MM & MC. Thank you for the suggestion!

SIHAB

People have reported out success with a MC -> SUT -> MM phono
as the preferred setup.

As for me I was looking at the Icon Audio PS1 MKII
(it would satisfy the MC upgrade path) but I haven't seen
and "glowing" reviews.

I then jumped to Goldnote 10* (wanted the $2000 PS to go with it)
and now I'm eyeballing the Project Box RS2 phono.
I blindly presume an outboard PS with will make it sound better as well.

*there were multiple reports of issues with the power supply

rebelsoul

Little more than you want to spend but worth it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115624418383?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2POSjXwtRSy&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=boffeb51tje&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=EMAIL

treitz3

I didn't even know that Canary made a phono pre. Interesting.

Tom

Joey_V

I’ve had the Ares. It’s actually a good phono.

rebelsoul

treitz3 wrote: »

I didn't even know that Canary made a phono pre. Interesting.

Tom

It's pretty bad ****. I am thinking the next up grade is going with a cary slp-05 or a two peace tupe pre by canary and that phono pre two piece by canary . Now that I got those Reimer tenton gs modded speaks .the modded carver no slouch, but the Cary and Canary two piece pres are a dream

Mike Reeter

newbie308 wrote: »

I was just reading up on the Rogue Ares Magnum. There's a few available used for attractive prices in the usual places. I've narrowed down the field to the Ares or the Chinook. I do like that the Ares has a separate power supply, but I haven't found one Chinook review that complained of hum.

I've had the Rogue Ares Magnum for several years, it's a very good sounding stage, that is very receptive to various tubes. I would roll in some 12AT7's in the AU7 slots to achieve a little more gain, this was suggested by Rogue themselves, so it's safe.

The Ares beat out a Tavish Adagio loaded with NOS tubes by a good margin, at least in my set-up.

treitz3

rebelsoul wrote: »

treitz3 wrote: »

I didn't even know that Canary made a phono pre. Interesting.

Tom

It's pretty bad ****. I am thinking the next up grade is going with a cary slp-05 or a two peace tupe pre by canary and that phono pre two piece by canary . Now that I got those Reimer tenton gs modded speaks .the modded carver no slouch, but the Cary and Canary two piece pres are a dream

FYI, I just found out John Lau (owner and designer of Canary Audio) passed away a few weeks ago. That news came as a shock to me. He was a kind person, highly knowledgeable and genuinely cared about his customers. I will miss our conversations but will continue loving his personally upgraded design (preamplifier).

RIP, John.

Tom

Clipdat

May he rest in peace, and may his spirit live on in his designs and those who enjoy them.

rebelsoul

Rip

engie490

If you are looking at using pure tube stages with an MC cart, you'll have to be tolerant of noise or chase down some really quiet tubes.

The Budgie and ANK Level 3 are MM only.

The Rogue Ares Magnum uses SUTs for the MC stage. Be aware that they have updated this model (now Ares II), so make sure you identify which variety you are buying.

The Chinook is a hybird JFET/tube design. It also has Version 1s and 2s floating around.

The Innersound Phono (mentioned above) is very good for the price but might not have enough gain for all setups/carts. It does support fully balanced setup, if you're into that sort of thing. I've had one for over 10 years and I keep coming back to it.

I have a Fosgate Signature Phono v2, whose sound I like a lot, but it has a tube that is starting to get noisy, so I have to chase that down.

I also have a Mod Squad Phono Drive, which was Stereophile Class A way back in the 90s. It has knobs on the front for MM/MC and impedance selection. Very nice sound, but a little bit more noise than the Innersound.

Just picked up a Parks Audio Puffin, which has nice sound and amazing flexibility.