Hi Folks,
Would like to discuss some nice phono stages I've been listening to :-)
The Koren "Purist" stage found here:
http://www.normankoren.com/Audio/Spice_preamp_2.html
For a NFB stage is really sweet and brings back fond memories, as it reminds me of a late 70's, early 80's Kenwood sound.
Bass: Full, authoritive.
Lower Mids: Great detail, slightly pronounced.
Mids: Slightly recessed, very clean.
Upper Mids: Detailed, clear.
Treble: Neutral.
First (input) stage tube used: GE (Canada) 7025/12AX7A
Second and follower tubes: Brimar ECC83
Pic: http://geek.scorpiorising.ca/contrib/Ge ... _Board.jpg
(no, the PCB's aren't available.... just yet ;-)
Another is the BoZ inspired one from Linnenberg-Audio, found here:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-lab ... e-zen.html
Honestly, the best sand-state phono I've heard under a zillion dollars.
Bass: Full, authoritive without being boomy or muddy.
Mids: All mids are neutral, but not boring by any means.
Treble: Crisp, clear, detailed with good downward-dynamic-range, pulling out the quieter instruments in a loud passage.
Not the least, a GREAT soundstage. Nice and wide.
This, as with the BoZ that inspired it, is *very* sensitive to component quality... the better the parts, the better it'll sound.
Always keeping in with what the average weekend experimenter can get their mitts on, all parts are obtainable from Digikey or Mouser.
For the circuit, I used Panasonic FC-series for the electrolytics, RIAA
network capacitors were EPCOS MKP (the blue ones... they're like the red
WIMA's) and Panasonic/Matsushita ECW-FB polypropylene for input and output.
Cheers!