I'm pretty happy with my current vinyl rig, consisting of a SOTA Star Sapphire Series III vacuum turntable, SME 309 arm, Ortofon Jubilee MC cartridge, and Ray Samuels Audio Nighthawk phono preamp. So it probably begs the question why I would consider a change at all. This might even seem a little out of character for me to those who know something of my views about equipment and audiophilia.
However, I am at the point where my focus is mainly on vintage and audiophile jazz and classical music vinyl pressings. Digital music has a significant presence in my library, but I listen to it less and less. I go to digital when it turns out to be the best source I can get, such as 1920s, 30s, and 40s jazz recordings - stuff from the 78 era that is tough as nails to find on shellac records in decent condition.
My preamp and power amps are tube driven. At one point I had a tube phono preamp, the Eastern Electric Minimax, and I liked it quite a bit. I bought the Minimax out of curiosity as a purchase of opportunity, and I am a little sorry that I didn't keep it. But at the time my audio racks were bursting at the seams with all sorts of gear, including an open reel tape deck, a Slim Devices Transporter, and a Denon DVD 5930CI. I ended up with the RSA Nighthawk due to its small size and Lithium Ion battery power.
Some months ago I decided to sell my open reel deck and tapes. They just were not getting enough use to justify keeping them in my system. After that I decided to consolidate my digital setup and now use my computer as a source with an M2Tech Hiface USB to SPDIF converter that feeds a Eastern Electric Minimax DAC. I have been very happy with the digital rig, and this consolidation has freed up a shelf in my rack.
So now that I am at a place where I am willing make a considerable investment to upgrade my phono preamp and have the space to accommodate whatever I choose to buy...I am in the process of researching and mulling over some options. Here is what I am looking at so far as viable choices:
Fosgate Signature Tube Phono Preamp ($2,495)I am intrigued by the design: dual mono with three triode pairs. It also has an interesting power supply implementation.
E.A.R. 834P ($1,695 to $2,495)This is a well known and well-established piece and has been on the market for nearly 15 years. I have to admit that I have been wanting to try one for quite some time and I probably should have done it years ago. The weak dollar and inflation has really puffed up the price, which has more than doubled for the flagship model in just 10 years. I don't see it as a compelling choice as I did even five or six years ago. I am still considering it nonetheless.
Given the 834P's footprint it makes a number of interesting possibilities viable. For example, pairing one with a Cinemag 1131 step-up transformer from Bob's Devices would, at the low end bring the tab to just under $2,700.
I've always found the idea of using a SUT quite seductive and have long wanted to try one. At the high end of the price scale one could match a chrome 834P with the E.A.R. MC4 SUT for a cost of $4,700. I haven't ruled that out yet but don't honestly see myself making that choice. There seems to me to be a number of attractive alternatives for a much lower cost.
Eastern Electric Minimax ($1,495)Since I have already heard this phono preamp and am familiar with its sound I may end up buying one and pair it with the Cinemag 1131 SUT. This is the lowest cost option I am kicking around right now.
--Jerome