Phono stage advise/suggestions

[HUMBUG89]

Hello All,

just after some advise, I have a Consonance Phono Stage, which has a problem,although it is still working fine, when left on all the time, will have to be sent to be 'repaired'/'looked at' by the importer, if only for piece of mind/ resale value, which could take some time. I have limited funds, but was thinking of purchasing a CAMBRIDGE AZUR 640P PHONO STAGE as a replacement. Does anybody have first hand experience with this PH.S., is it worth pursueing or am I wasting my money. I am using a Project 5.1 with a MC, sounds very good with the Consonance, will it with a Cambridge PH.S?, any opinions,suggestions or advise? would be welcome.THANKS

[alistairm]

What is the problem? Consonance is pretty good bang for the buck, and if bought from Greg Osborn his service is excellent. I've owned and been extremely satisfied with a range of Consonance gear in the past - any reason not to get your phono stage repaired?

Which Consonance do you have? I doubt the CA Azur is likely to be an improvement on any of the new Consonance gear, although that's purely speculative on my part.

[ozrayyau]

I'm going to get the jasmine, although I have herron phono amp. I think you will down grade if you get the CA.

[Warren M.]

Hello All,

just after some advise, I have a Consonance Phono Stage, which has a problem,although it is still working fine, when left on all the time, will have to be sent to be 'repaired'/'looked at' by the importer, if only for piece of mind/ resale value, which could take some time. I have limited funds, but was thinking of purchasing a CAMBRIDGE AZUR 640P PHONO STAGE as a replacement. Does anybody have first hand experience with this PH.S., is it worth pursueing or am I wasting my money. I am using a Project 5.1 with a MC, sounds very good with the Consonance, will it with a Cambridge PH.S?, any opinions,suggestions or advise? would be welcome.THANKS

I do not know the Consonance. I found the Cambridge to be a very good value very ordinary phono preamp, if that makes any sense. As a stop-gap it was fine, but certainly not satisfying. For a little more money, if you have issues with the Consonance, get a Jasmine. It would be a good buy at twice the asking price.

Cheers

Warren

[soundfan]

Plenty of fans for the Nighthawk here, and well worth considering too. I borrowed one for a week and it's a cracker, and also great buying at twice it's price.

Also... there's a Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena in the classifieds. At a great price too.

[emesbee]

I have a CA 640P. It is certainly an improvement on what I was using before (the in-built phono stage of an old Rotel amp). I'd say that its ok for the price, but there may be better options if you are prepared to spend a bit more. (Haven't compared it with any others myself though.)

[HUMBUG89]

Thanks for the replies and sorry for the delay in answering,Alistairm, no problems with the sound of the Consonance, it's a PM2, but if you've had good service with Osborn let me know the sercret, seems to me they did not know much about the insides of the PM2 even when Consonance themselves told them what the problem was, he wanted me to take a photo of the offending part and send it via Email so 'he could see if he had one around the place'?, that doesn't fill me with conferdance and from where I am, it's a hassle to send it.Soundfan, I may well be interested in the Nighthawk, or the Jasmine as Ozrayyau suggests, where could I get to find out where to inquire about one, price etc, I wouldn't won't to take a backward step, but if I can get the Consonance repaired, it is only a 'minor' problem, or so they seem to suggest or look at something I can afford, at the monent I not quite sure what to do?.

Edited July 8, 2011 by spike89

[Batty]

I would say have your present phono stage repaired, then decide if you want to upgrade once you are in posession of a fully functioning unit.

[ozrayyau]

Got the Jasmine which has been Mod from friend today, I think I have to get one

[HUMBUG89]

Yes I would agree Batty I think, dispite the fact I told it's only half an hours work for someone who knows, I will get the unit repaired, even though I have to send it for that amount of time (to repair) I think it would be the best course of action.Interesting to hear of the Jasmine Ozrayyau, I would still be interested to hear from yourself or anyone else on recommended good value Phono Stages for maybe future reference.

[Chill3]

I am a big fan of the MF V LPS with V PSU power supply

Bit of a giant killer

You can get them from the UK at a great price currently,if you don't like you could sell on eBay for close to the same price

http://www.divineaudio.co.uk/hi-fi/amplifiers/phono-stages/musical-fidelity-v-lps-mm/mc-phono-stage/prod_640.html

http://www.divineaudio.co.uk/hi-fi/psu-power-supply-units-/musical-fidelity-v-psu-power-supply-unit/prod_1916.html

[HUMBUG89]

Thanks Chill3, yes I know the MF VLPS and V PSU, used to own both and yes they weren't bad I now regret selling them, I will get the Consonance repaired, but I may look at the 'new' Vincent PHO8 yet, as a 'back up', as I have a Vincent SV236 tubeline Amp it may work well, and at under $500 may be good value, unless anyones got a MF VLPS & PSU to sell or part with?.

[Chill3]

Thanks Chill3, yes I know the MF VLPS and V PSU, used to own both and yes they weren't bad I now regret selling them, I will get the Consonance repaired, but I may look at the 'new' Vincent PHO8 yet, as a 'back up', as I have a Vincent SV236 tubeline Amp it may work well, and at under $500 may be good value, unless anyones got a MF VLPS & PSU to sell or part with?.

Yep hard with phono stages as it is imposable to get to hear them with your system - after a lot of "checking out" I will be getting a Sutherland PH3D or 20/20 as my next move

[HUMBUG89]

Yes, would agree with that, I'd like to get something way more expensive, but $$ just a bit hard to come by at the monent, so may have to saddle for the repair job and a backup that sounds at least 80% of what I'm getting with the Consonance ( should I have any more problems)which I might add is as good if not better than the MF set (mine was 1st GEN)

[brownemi]

Happy to throw in another option being the ClearAudio Basic Plus Limited Ed model which has all the factory upgraded parts. Does MC/MM and comes with separate PSU. The condition is excellent with little use. Sound is as you would expect from Clearaudio- very very good. Only selling as I got a new stage recently. Price $550 fixed given retail is around $1000.

[HUMBUG89]

Brownemi PM sent!