looking for balanced phono stage

[genesisaudiorack]

i need some help finding a new phono stage to make more space. i currently have a tube phono stage but ive been running all xlr lately and i like it. who makes a good sounding, phonostage that has at least xlr out, preferably xlr in and out as a option as well. ive only seen the schitt model. does it sound better than a tube stage unit? not looking for volume control but i use a low output mc and i need something with a wide variety of options.

 

[genesisaudiorack]

the only two models ive seen are the gold note ph-10 and the schitt

 

[thegeton]

Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B

 

[genesisaudiorack]

Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B

i had the project balanced box when i had a project balanced turn table. i think it might be a bit too surgical of a circuit. weird irony i just sold it several months ago, i should have kept it to try it again. anything else come to mind?

 

[Verig]

Ifi Zen Phono 2 & 3 have balanced out. I own 2 but haven't tested the output. I don't feel a need for that with MM, it's very clean already.

Pro-Ject has S3, DS3 and RS models with balanced in&out.

What tube stage do you have?

 

[genesisaudiorack]

Ifi Zen Phono 2 & 3 have balanced out. I own 2 but haven't tested the output. I don't feel a need for that with MM, it's very clean already.

Pro-Ject has S3, DS3 and RS models with balanced in&out.

What tube stage do you have?

i have a primaluna evo tube phone, the current model. loaded with nice tubes. it actually sounds really good. i got rid of my pro-ject balance box because it sounded so good. but all my new gear im trying to keep it all xlr. my preamp/source is a wyred4sound and it has a highly transparent function. it sounds exceptional in the xlr in/out when hooked up to my power amps. i could keep it rcs, but the primaluna doesn't have a xlr function at all. which is weird because it wouldn't have taken much to integrate that into such a decent phonostage

 

[Verig]

Elac Alchemy PPA-2, Musical Fidelity MX(6) VYNL. There are a few but it's not really a common feature in phono stages.

I understand your feel about going all XLR but it's not really needed.

 

[Muddywaters]

I have both the Schitt and the aforementioned MX VYNL.

My Schitt has too much 60 hz hum using the rca input to my liking. Running XLR from tonearm to the Schitt is better. Has to do with lack of isolation/shielding of the power inlet circuitry close to the rca in as far as I can tell. The left channel rca input is most effected.

The MX VYNL is good in either input. I use both rca and the special balanced inputs.