High Quality Phono stage kit, looking for ideas

gthang · 09:45 PM

Hi all.
I'm starting to think about new projects to occupy me over the winter. I'd like to build low powered SET amp and also a phono stage.

My (DIY Lenco based) turntable can accommodate up to 4 arms and carts at the same time. To make the best of things I need a phono stage with 4 inputs. I'm not able to design electronics but can follow instructions, solder and build things. I'd like some ideas please, idealy links to phono stage kits I can buy and adapt to include a switch and 4 inputs. 4 x MM is fine as I'll use SUT for my MCs.

So far I've found and like the look of this (should be possible to add more inputs and a swtich) VS Phono Stage with LCR Modules (kit)

Please post links to any more high quality phono stage kits you know of, valve or SS

Thank you very much.
Graham

lexx21 · 24th July 2014, 01:04 AM

Does it have to be a kit? Would you be willing to build something point to point?

mllum · 24th July 2014, 01:51 AM

My 2 cents worth.

You may want to consider John Broskie's designs. Either the Aikido Phono or the Tetra Phono. Either blank pcb's or partial kits may be found at Phono Preamps

I have bought and built 2 Aikido Phono preamps; one for my self and the other for a friend.

The Aikido Phono is excellent and sounds simply fabulous in comparison with my Linsley Hood Phono preamp , Audio Research PH-1 and a cheapo Rotel RQ970.

It now has a permanent place in my system.

I dont think you can go wrong with either of Broskie's designs. Although I haven't tried the Tetra Phono, I would venture a guess that it would be an equally good design.

Thanks

Marra · 24th July 2014, 07:01 PM

The Folded Simplistic phonostage by Salas is an excellent performer.I imagine you could add more inputs.
Contact Teabag he might have pcb's and parts kits available shortly after the recent group buy.

richardr · 24th July 2014, 09:42 PM

It is a good one. High gain and quiet. A good Lenco deserves a good cart and arm with a good phono stage mandatory to get the most out of all three.

Eros Phono Preamplifier Kit | Bottlehead

sherpa · 26th July 2014, 04:29 PM

I would highly recommend the Budgie from Shannon Parks DIYTube.com. I have compared it at a friends house with multiple phonostages including a Marantz 7c and the budgie beats it hands down. As an added bonus it's reasonably inexpensive to build. Shannon's forum has all the help you could ever need.
Paul

Mr Onion · 26th July 2014, 05:12 PM

For sheer VFM look at the PhonoClone3

I've had one for over 2 years now and have no intention of changing it. Making it multi input shouldn't involve much more than adding the extra sockets and high quality switch.

gthang · 26th July 2014, 09:56 PM

Thanks very much guys, lots here for me to consider. I'll have a read thought things and come back to the thread with my thoughts.

andyr · 27th July 2014, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthang

Hi all.

Please post links to any more high quality phono stage kits you know of, valve or SS

Thank you very much.
Graham

There is also the Hagtech Cornet 2 / 3 (not sure if the '3' is out yet).

Or the Elliott Sound Products P06.

You can Google these easy enough.

I suspect the Salas one will beat the others, hands down, though.

Regards,

Andy

gthang · 28th July 2014, 09:40 PM

I've had a good look at the Salas one, while I could build it I'm too much of a novice for something like that as it assumes greater knowledge than I have. I will spend far too much time trying to understand what I need to buy beyond the PCB(s) and the mini kit. Shame, as no doubt it will be very good.

The Hagtech Cornet 2 looks like a good stage, however I have similar issues with that one and the case doesn't easily allow for extra inputs to be added.

I think perhaps I'm trying to punch above my weight so to speak with the idea of building a phono stage. I lack experience in bringing all the parts needed into one place to actually put it together. They all require a more solid understanding than I have.

Thanks very much for all the ideas and links.

23rd July 2014, 09:08 PM	#1
gthang diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010	High Quality Phono stage kit, looking for ideas Hi all. I'm starting to think about new projects to occupy me over the winter. I'd like to build low powered SET amp and also a phono stage. My (DIY Lenco based) turntable can accommodate up to 4 arms and carts at the same time. To make the best of things I need a phono stage with 4 inputs. I'm not able to design electronics but can follow instructions, solder and build things. I'd like some ideas please, idealy links to phono stage kits I can buy and adapt to include a switch and 4 inputs. 4 x MM is fine as I'll use SUT for my MCs. So far I've found and like the look of this (should be possible to add more inputs and a swtich) VS Phono Stage with LCR Modules (kit) Please post links to any more high quality phono stage kits you know of, valve or SS Thank you very much. Graham Last edited by gthang; 23rd July 2014 at 09:45 PM.

24th July 2014, 01:51 AM	#3
mllum diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur	Aikido Phono or Tetra Phono My 2 cents worth. You may want to consider John Broskie's designs. Either the Aikido Phono or the Tetra Phono. Either blank pcb's or partial kits may be found at Phono Preamps I have bought and built 2 Aikido Phono preamps; one for my self and the other for a friend. The Aikido Phono is excellent and sounds simply fabulous in comparison with my Linsley Hood Phono preamp , Audio Research PH-1 and a cheapo Rotel RQ970. It now has a permanent place in my system. I dont think you can go wrong with either of Broskie's designs. Although I haven't tried the Tetra Phono, I would venture a guess that it would be an equally good design. Thanks

24th July 2014, 09:42 PM	#5
richardr diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northwest	I have heard and liked this commercial kit It is a good one. High gain and quiet. A good Lenco deserves a good cart and arm with a good phono stage mandatory to get the most out of all three. Eros Phono Preamplifier Kit \| Bottlehead

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24th July 2014, 01:04 AM	#2
lexx21 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North Carolina	Does it have to be a kit? Would you be willing to build something point to point?

24th July 2014, 07:01 PM	#4
Marra diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Near Lincoln	The Folded Simplistic phonostage by Salas is an excellent performer.I imagine you could add more inputs. Contact Teabag he might have pcb's and parts kits available shortly after the recent group buy.

26th July 2014, 04:29 PM	#6
sherpa diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Spokane WA	I would highly recommend the Budgie from Shannon Parks DIYTube.com. I have compared it at a friends house with multiple phonostages including a Marantz 7c and the budgie beats it hands down. As an added bonus it's reasonably inexpensive to build. Shannon's forum has all the help you could ever need. Paul

26th July 2014, 05:12 PM	#7
Mr Onion diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2012	For sheer VFM look at the PhonoClone3 I've had one for over 2 years now and have no intention of changing it. Making it multi input shouldn't involve much more than adding the extra sockets and high quality switch.

26th July 2014, 09:56 PM	#8
gthang diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010	Thanks very much guys, lots here for me to consider. I'll have a read thought things and come back to the thread with my thoughts.

28th July 2014, 09:40 PM	#10
gthang diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010	I've had a good look at the Salas one, while I could build it I'm too much of a novice for something like that as it assumes greater knowledge than I have. I will spend far too much time trying to understand what I need to buy beyond the PCB(s) and the mini kit. Shame, as no doubt it will be very good. The Hagtech Cornet 2 looks like a good stage, however I have similar issues with that one and the case doesn't easily allow for extra inputs to be added. I think perhaps I'm trying to punch above my weight so to speak with the idea of building a phono stage. I lack experience in bringing all the parts needed into one place to actually put it together. They all require a more solid understanding than I have. Thanks very much for all the ideas and links.