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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Phono preamp upgrade
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Message started by Herbert Kelly on 05/02/24 at 17:07:37

Title: Phono preamp upgrade
Post by Herbert Kelly on 05/02/24 at 17:07:37

Hi Folks,

So I think the next upgrade for me is going to be my phono stage, but I am open to ideas :) I heard a massive difference the last time I did.

So today I have Rega Apheta 3 --> Rega P8 --> Rega Aria MKIII --> SE84UFO25 --> Klipsch Forte IV

I am split between looking at a new Phono stage or getting a preamp. Of course the ZP3 +ZMC is something I am looking at and drooling over (the 2 year wait not so much haha) but wondered if others have other phono stages they love.

Thanks!
Herbert

Title: Re: Phono preamp upgrade
Post by CAJames on 05/02/24 at 17:21:44

Quote:

Posted by: Herbert Kelly Posted on: Today at 09:07:37

...Of course the ZP3 +ZMC is something I am looking at and drooling over (~~the 2 year wait~~ the 4 year wait (FIFY) not so much haha)....

I love my (non-Decware) phone stage. I got it from a very small Decware-ish company in Canada and it is similar to the ZP3:

https://www.mapletreeaudio.com/

Mine is a slightly different version with 12AX7 tubes instead of 12SC7s but overall I believe it would be a solid choice, esp. for the money. You'll also need a step-up transformer and you should be able to get one from Decware without the excessive wait. Mine is a Luxman, and the SUT + tube MM phono stage is (much) better than any MC preamp I've ever had, and I've had several.