New Vincent Tube Phono Pre - Couldn't Resist

MrBuhl
MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
edited October 2015 in 2 Channel Audio
Vincent Pho-700. The few reviews I've seen are pretty glowing at this price point. We'll see, only got about three songs of listening in last night.

Put it into the AA / McCormack / Dual 1229 setup, seemed to have some sibilance with the cables and that setup. After I really give it some time to settle in and some different tubes, I think I'll work on cables, they really cured my sibilance problem with the Pho-Ject phono box previously.

@voltz - thought you would appreciate - I just couldn't resist. Not sure I dig the fake LED light thing but I can shut that off. (three levels plus off). Uses a single 12Au7, came with a Chinese one, @snow is shipping me a selection of others to try. Much bigger than the Pho-8 unit but it handles both MC/MM. Separate power supply of course.

More thoughts to come when I get some time on it.

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VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

Polk SDA1c modded
Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
SACD Marantz DV8300
Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
Yamaha YP-D6
Soundcraftsmen PCR800
Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
Pho-700 Phono Pre
Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






Comments

  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,505
    Congrats man! Looking good...
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Thanks! Hoping for an upgrade on the Pro-Ject Phono Box, but having moved the Vincent Pho-8 over there, I was pretty surprised just how little difference there is, the Vincent is better for sure, but that Pro-Ject is one hell of a value I just realized.
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    LMAO - possession is 9/10ths of the law @DSkip !! He literally doesn't even know what hit him - I'm sure he's enjoying his Ocean instead LOL!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,421
    How do you like the Audible Illusions L1? I had a line on one several years ago but broke my leg and lost interest in the deal...
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    agfrost wrote: »
    How do you like the Audible Illusions L1? I had a line on one several years ago but broke my leg and lost interest in the deal...

    I like it, It's no Dodd by a long shot, but I like it. VERY tube finicky I've found. Very sensitive to microphonics, and not as quiet a design as Garys. Amperex Hollands sound very fine, but a few have gotten noisy on me after running them.

    Currently I'm in the hunt for some Russian 6h23's for it, I understand those are the best tube for it, though relatively rare and pricey currently. Hopefully I dig up a pair soon!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 9,969
    Those 12au7's from Snow will help. Chinese tube probably real bright.
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    Congrats on the new Pho 700, looking forward to hearing more on it. Vincent is one of those brands( among many others AA carries) I see in my AA catalog that I would love to own someday. :)
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,922
    heh-heh-heh. Tubes. glowing. I see what you did there...

    9835310886_91c5aa0e29_b.jpgDSC_9988 by icouldbeahero, on Flickr
    http://icouldbeahero.blogspot.com
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    Sweet looking unit!!!! Nice!!!!
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Nice one ED!! I am jealousy as you Know :p

    When I got my Pho-8 I kept thinking get the 700 instead, as the price was right on both. I still the biggest Vincent Fan out here I think, between my preamp -amp -phono amp I'm sitting pretty. someday I may still buy the 700 so let me know how it goes.

    You do have such a sweet system B)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    One thing's for sure Vincent gear is sharp looking! ;)
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    edited October 2015
    dromunds wrote: »
    Those 12au7's from Snow will help. Chinese tube probably real bright.

    Indeed you are right, so far I've only dropped in a Capeheart branded (RCA) cleartop, cause I haven't had any reason to take it out yet! AMAZING difference, I think I'm really gonna dig this phono stage. Still need to get more ear time on it but its already on the winning train with the new tube options.
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    edited October 2015
    voltz wrote: »

    When I got my Pho-8 I kept thinking get the 700 instead, as the price was right on both. I still the biggest Vincent Fan out here I think, between my preamp -amp -phono amp I'm sitting pretty. someday I may still buy the 700 so let me know how it goes.

    You do have such a sweet system B)

    Thanks Darryl, thats high praise from a guy with a system like yours! I still need to get more time on it, but I'm liking what I hear now that I've got the new tube in it. More to try but it's hard to get motivated to pull that cleartop, it's a great sound!

    You've sold me - very happy with both Vincent pieces I have so far. Price is right, build quality and components used are excellent as well IMO.
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • MrRoboT
    MrRoboT Posts: 39
    I always wanted to try these and get rid of my vp130.
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    I haven't heard your VP130 - though with upgraded tube and PS I read good things about it. Honestly, I looked at it hard my first go-round - (and even this time when looking for tube stage) - but the Vincent's are only a little more if you're patient.

    In the end, I snagged a great deal at Amazon when I bought my Pho-8 (though its SS) it's a great unit. Still - couldn't resist the tube glow... so when I found this Pho-700 for a steal I grabbed it too.
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • I'm still tempted to get one even though I have the VP130.
    Don't think the wifey wants a turntable in the bedroom however. :#
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    Nice rig! AI has a killer headphone output w the L1, I regretted selling mine for years,,got lucky and picked up an L2,, the 6H23 is the tube to go with,,just my .02
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Nice rig! AI has a killer headphone output w the L1, I regretted selling mine for years,,got lucky and picked up an L2,, the 6H23 is the tube to go with,,just my .02

    Thanks @george daniel - I have a set of Voshkod and a set of Reflektor on the way in 6H23 - spendy little things for Soviet era valves - but hopefully worth it!

    On a side note - perhaps you can answer - should I be phase inverting at the SDA's with this unit - I'm using a 1000 v/a Dread in the mix as well between my 1c's. I'm totally confused by the research on this subject. I've tried both ways, and think I prefer them red to black as would be proper with the L1, but don't want to damage the 1c's or McCormack of course either. Any thoughts?
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    I'm still tempted to get one even though I have the VP130.
    Don't think the wifey wants a turntable in the bedroom however. :#

    I tell you - I really was very tempted with the 130 myself. I got this off the 'Bay for about 25% off - (I'm guessing the guy hated it because of the Chinese tube cause it WAS miserable when I first hooked it up) - otherwise I'd probably be in a VP myself.

    You can always run two TT :wink: I assuage my guilt by telling myself one is idler and one is direct drive, so it's two different sounds I'm going for!! :blush: (the wife does not buy that at all though FWIW)
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    I'm still tempted to get one even though I have the VP130.
    Don't think the wifey wants a turntable in the bedroom however. :#

    I tell you - I really was very tempted with the 130 myself. I got this off the 'Bay for about 25% off - (I'm guessing the guy hated it because of the Chinese tube cause it WAS miserable when I first hooked it up) - otherwise I'd probably be in a VP myself.

    You can always run two TT :wink: I assuage my guilt by telling myself one is idler and one is direct drive, so it's two different sounds I'm going for!! :blush: (the wife does not buy that at all though FWIW)

    Hey @MrBuhl you still rockin the Vincent PHO7? Been looking at them myself. :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,557
    Hope you're doing well, Ed! Haven't seen you on much.