Dynamic Turtle needs a new phono stage - Budget up to £1500

Hi,

Markus Sauer said:
How about a group buy of an S&B'ed Cole? If, say, three people chip in to try one, the loss on reselling if it turns out to be no good would be bearable. I'd be willing to join in.
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If there is sufficient interrest, I can discuss with Brian Cherry a suitable scheme of audition for the LCR Cole to see how we can make sure no-one looses out.

Ciao T
 
if you go for a built unit it will cost around £1150 delivered,i am considering the eastern electric minimax phonostage which has very good reviews and with upgradeing the valves produces further sonic improvements and also has a 30 day moneyback from shadow audio
 
Can anyone confirm/dispel the myth that continental designed stages (German in particular) tend to roll-off bass? Was reading a back issue of HFW and they mentioned this about the AQVOX, hence the question....
 
Oh, and can you give me a shout if you see any Audio Research PH3SE or PH5's going cheap - these look pretty interesting. KJw1 has one for £1500, but that's not enough of a discount! The BAT VK-P5 and Sutherland PhD look interesting too. Can't seem to find any ex-dem/used though.

Got a shock when I tried to find the rrp of the BAT stage. It was £1550 last time I looked (back in 2003 I think), its now £1895, even though the dollar is 20% weaker!! That sucks! Used prices on Audiogon are around $1250 :-(

The Cole and Minimax are on the cards if I can't find one of the above, and should be that bit cheaper.

DT
 
Bottleneck, the PH2 is very long in the tooth these days (1988?) but I guess its worth considering at the price.

BBV, I have two sources - occasionally 3 (when she who must be obeyed lets me play xbox in the lounge with my friends after school ;) )

The Fein's volume control looks like an ALPS black carbon pot which AFAIK isn't the last word. More importantly, it has no remote control, which as far as this lazy-arsed turtle is concerned, is an essential feature :)
 
It probably is but cutting out a pre entirely is still big gain. You could always put in a stepped attenuator. Brinkmann is also making a statement phono which might be even better. However as you want multiple sources then it isnt an option anyway.

I am putting together my borbely unit this w/e - that has cost me about £750 altogether. I wil comapre with a MG+ as soon as I can and let you know.
 
Well, I just got off the phone from Audiofreaks (enquiring about a conrad johnson EV1 they had on offer for £1200) and was greeted by the rudest man I've ever had the displeasure of speaking to. Don't know his name, but let's just say that it will be a very cold day in hell before I spend a penny there, or on any of the brands represented by them. Absolutely shocked by their attitude. Are these people completely allergic to doing business?

I wouldn't mind a CJ phono stage, but its very far from being the only decent one at the price! After this experience, I'd much rather go over-budget on a BAT from SOM than deal with Audiofreaks.

Classic line: "sir, we do not do deals or discount", (me) "well, why have you cut the price of the EV1 by £700 then"? (them) "special promotion sir". ROTFLMAO!!

Oh deary deary me.......

I strongly suggest other forum members think long & hard about dealing with these people and the brands represented - you have been warned.

DT
 
I had a similiar experience at a show after asking seriously after the kuzma airline at the audiofreaks stand. Branco (for it is he I am sure) is renowned for it.

The next rudest man is at the audio consultants in reading.

The third is probably me. :D
 
Hi,

Dynamic Turtle said:
Well, I just got off the phone from Audiofreaks (enquiring about a conrad johnson EV1 they had on offer for £1200) and was greeted by the rudest man I've ever had the displeasure of speaking to.
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I see you encountered Branco.... :D

Ciao T
 
I see this "Branco" is quite infamous then. I hope he slips and has a nasty accident whilst showering tomorrow.....
 
Dont let it put you off the products they import (its not the products fault the distributor is.... difficult).

Try Midland Audio Exchange and speak to John. He is on PFM sometimes, and occasionally here.
 
It has put me off the products they import actually.

I question the judgement and logic of any manufacturer that thinks Branco is a good ambassador for their brand. Do they not have comprehensive discussions before signing distributions agreements and perform substantial due diligence on their business partners?

IMO, if you are an "exacting" individual and possess obsessive attention to detail when designing audio components, so to should you be as exacting and obsessive about those whom you choose to represent your business.

I can't for the life of me think why some of these brands choose Audiofreaks. Without being libelous, it certainly can't be for Branco's charming personality. Bizarre.

On the contrary, he seems to espouse the worst of all that goes with "high-end" hifi - snobbery, arrogance and a complete lack of respect for the customer (who in Branco's case, appears to be "guilty until proven innocent").

Comparing his behaviour & attitude to the first-class and extremely polite service one receives from Sounds of Music and Shadow, and one can but wonder how he manages to stay in business?

Russian Oligarchs, I'm thinking.....

DT
 
DT,

I enjoy getting back at Branco by investing in products he distributes - but getting them on Audiogon, paying a small fraction of the Freak's prices, and selling on, thereby devaluing the product in the long term.

I have the pleasure of being on his banned list. If you do buy from the States though, just make sure he knows it! And that the manufacturer is aware of why you went down that route.

I suspect Branco will give the industry up soon, a good thing for all IMO.
 
Stereo Mic said:
DT,

I enjoy getting back at Branco by investing in products he distributes - but getting them on Audiogon, paying a small fraction of the Freak's prices, and selling on, thereby devaluing the product in the long term.

I have the pleasure of being on his banned list. If you do buy from the States though, just make sure he knows it! And that the manufacturer is aware of why you went down that route.

I suspect Branco will give the industry up soon, a good thing for all IMO.
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Brilliant Mic - however:

1) I doubt stateside conrad johnson AD's are allowed to sell to UK residents - surely they'd forward me to Audiofreaks?

2) If I buy something on Audiogon (for at least 50% of his "bargian" prices) and need to have it serviced at some point, Can CJ refuse to service it, seeing as I bought it in the States rather than from Audiofreaks?

3) US gear is 110V, so how do I convert it to 240V?

4) I have lost all respect for CJ and as long as they are represented by Audiofreaks, will not buy any of their products. As I said earlier, what kind of company deals with Branco out of choice?!?!

Looks like its going to be a BAT VK-P5 or ARC PH3SE/PH5.....

DT
 
DT - who cares if CJ/Audiofreaks would service it?

When you're talking about valve gear, it's simple little circuits, and parts available to anybody.

Valve guitar techs are available in every town I've ever been in. A lot of these work on guitar amps more than hifi, but if you can do one, you can do the other.
 
bottleneck said:
DT - who cares if CJ/Audiofreaks would service it?

When you're talking about valve gear, it's simple little circuits, and parts available to anybody.

Valve guitar techs are available in every town I've ever been in. A lot of these work on guitar amps more than hifi, but if you can do one, you can do the other.
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True, but CJ gear is PCB/suface mount, rather than hard-wired and uses proprietary capacitors AFAIK.

DT
 
Hi,

bottleneck said:
When you're talking about valve gear, it's simple little circuits, and parts available to anybody.
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Hmmm. Simple Little circuits? Like this?

http://www.mcmlv.org/Archive/HiFi/AR-VT130.pdf

That is the Audio Research VT-130.

CJ is not actually that bad, but might also challenge repairers of guitar amp's. I had an old (one of the very first ever) CJ Amp for a checkup because the two channels sounded very different.

As it turned out, it had at some time been repaired, expertly with regards to the Handiwork, but only the dead channel had been repaired and with parts rather different from those in the still original channel. The result - the sound was off....

Note, I do not recommend to buy from Branco.

However, I DO recommend to avoid most guitar amp service techs.

Ciao T
 

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