Yamamoto EQB-01 phonostage

[Pani]

Friends,
In my all tube setup, the only component that is solid state is my phonostage. I use an RCM Sensor Prelude phonostage. It is a very good unit as such, very dynamic and clean sounding phonostage. But when I compared it to a some good tube phonostages I felt I would be happier with a tube phonostage than an SS unit. My budget is rather stingy, I am not looking to spend more than $3k. At this price I can buy a Yamamoto EQB-01 or a Leben RS-30EQ. I anyway use an SUT so both of them will work with my cartridge (Lyra Skala). How much ever I tried I could not find any review of the Yamamoto phonostage. Has anyone here tried this yamamoto unit ? 

I really like Yamamoto amps because they are not euphonic or colored but they are very expressive which is the prime reason to get into tubes for me at least. Please help with the phonostage decision.

[andyr]

If you want to stick with tubes ... then lovetube's phono stage must be on your list.  $2,850 - see here:

http://www.goldenageaudio.com.au/ga-reference-valve-phono-stage.html

 

Alternatively, you might like to try out my 'Muse' ss phono stage which several people have commented on favourably, on these pages.  As it's battery powered and discrete JFET-based, I am confident it will be an improvement on your IC-based RCM (particularly given the phono stages I have compared it to  ) .  At half the price of Duc's.

 

Your 0.5mV Lyra Skala is no problem (without a SUT).  PM me if you are interested.

 

 

Regards,

 

Andy

Edited November 1, 2013 by andyr

[soundfan]

Also consider the Icon Audio PS3.

[Pani]

Since I am from India (currently staying at Singapore), I will prefer a brand that is available and recognized in this part of the world too, else the resale value drop would be sharp.

 

I am not sure why IC based design of RCM is detrimental, it sounds terrific. Only when I heard the internal phonostage of a Shindo Masseto that I realized that there is something superior that is worth considering, else it really butchers most phonostages upto $5k. May be I am more of tube guy so somehow I feel something special when the whole chain is tube. At the moment I use a Shindo Aurieges preamp with an MM phonostage in built. It is also very good but cannot match the RCM in most areas.

 

Thats the reason I am looking at a Leben RS-30EQ or a Yamamoto or something in those lines.

[andyr]

I can understand your reasoning.

 

(I didn't understand you were overseas - your avatar says "ACT" which is Australia's capital state.)

 

Regards,

 

Andy

Edited November 2, 2013 by andyr

[Viognier]

Hi Pani. I use the Leben and I am very happy with it. The ones thing to be aware of is the gain, or lack of. The factory specs at 23.5db though Stereophile measured it at 37db. http://www.stereophile.com/content/leben-rs-30eq-phono-preamplifier-measurements

[damohpi]

Just curious -- if the Masseto left a lasting impression, then why not sell both the Aurieges MM and the RCM to upgrade?

 

I have owned Yamamoto gear in the past (A-08s amp, YDA-01b dac), quite different in character to Shindo

[Tax]

Since I am from India (currently staying at Singapore), I will prefer a brand that is available and recognized in this part of the world too, else the resale value drop would be sharp.

 

I am not sure why IC based design of RCM is detrimental, it sounds terrific. Only when I heard the internal phonostage of a Shindo Masseto that I realized that there is something superior that is worth considering, else it really butchers most phonostages upto $5k. May be I am more of tube guy so somehow I feel something special when the whole chain is tube. At the moment I use a Shindo Aurieges preamp with an MM phonostage in built. It is also very good but cannot match the RCM in most areas.

 

Thats the reason I am looking at a Leben RS-30EQ or a Yamamoto or something in those lines.

Have you tried a different SUT with your current Aurieges? I would do that first before getting a different phonostage. Try a couple of different ones.

[Pani]

Just curious -- if the Masseto left a lasting impression, then why not sell both the Aurieges MM and the RCM to upgrade?

 

I have owned Yamamoto gear in the past (A-08s amp, YDA-01b dac), quite different in character to Shindo

Not easy to find a Masseto pre-owned, else that would be the ideal way to go for me actually.

[Pani]

Have you tried a different SUT with your current Aurieges? I would do that first before getting a different phonostage. Try a couple of different ones.

Well, yes. But then the areas where the Aurieges MM stage fall short is quite glaring and not exactly a matter of SUT matching. The most important of it all is dynamics, where the Aurieges falls way too short, I mean the gap is huge. The RCM is like a 400 bhp sports car where the Aurieges is like a nice 150bhp sedan. If my ears were not so biased towards tube sound, I would have never even imagined selling the RCM sensor prelude.

[Pani]

Hi Pani. I use the Leben and I am very happy with it. The ones thing to be aware of is the gain, or lack of. The factory specs at 23.5db though Stereophile measured it at 37db. http://www.stereophile.com/content/leben-rs-30eq-phono-preamplifier-measurements

Thanks. Have you compared it to any other phonostages ? Which cartridge do you use with it ?

[pulinap]

Not easy to find a Masseto pre-owned, else that would be the ideal way to go for me actually.

 

There is one on A'gon which is actually a 230v model.....

 

Cheers

P

[Pani]

There is one on A'gon which is actually a 230v model.....

 

Cheers

P

Thanks for that pointer mate.

[petng]

Hey Pani

This is Peter, the guy whom purchased your Miyabi. You will be very happy with a Masseto. The only weakness is that the built in step up is very mediocre. If you do end up getting one, give me a pm.

Cheers

[Pani]

Hey Pani

This is Peter, the guy whom purchased your Miyabi. You will be very happy with a Masseto. The only weakness is that the built in step up is very mediocre. If you do end up getting one, give me a pm.

Cheers

 

Hi Peter,

Nice to see you here. 

I always thought the Lundahl Amorphous core SUTs are good stuff. What else would you suggest ?

[petng]

You can go crazy with Sut,s. Also it depends on what cartridge you are using.

Nothing wrong with lundhal, but the ones inside the Masseto is one of their cheapest Step ups. I have replaced them with more expensive lundhal 1933,s. I use the 1933 with the Lyra Kleos. With the Miyabi I use external Audio note Ans3 or a AK Labs step up.

[petng]

I must clarify. The built in step up in the Masseto is not that bad, just that it is easily bettered with not much $$$$.

Edited November 14, 2013 by petng

[petng]

What cartridge are u using and what SUT?

It is quite confusing when you first enter the world of SUT's.

[Pani]

Hi Peter, I am using a Lyra Skala.

 

I was thinking of an Ortofon Verto SUT, or Lundahl 1941 or one of the Bobs Devices Cinemag 1131 Blue. Have you heard any of these ?

[petng]

Only one I have heard is the 1941. Very very nice. But you have to get it made up.

[Viognier]

Thanks. Have you compared it to any other phonostages ? Which cartridge do you use with it ?

Thanks. Have you compared it to any other phonostages ? Which cartridge do you use with it ?

The only other phono I have had in my system is the Graham Slee Era Gold V + Graham Slee Elevator. This was used with either an Ortofon SPU classic or a modded Denon 103R. Whilst the Slee combo is great value for money the Leben is tonally more realistic. With the SPU I use an Auditorium A23 and that combo has a much wider and deeper soundstage but more importantly instruments hang together coherently in space. I find that the Leben is very quiet, no issues with hum.

I recently added a new Spiral Groove TT with a Air Tight PC3 cart and Ypsilon SUT. I was concerned that the Leben would not be up to the task in the new setup but that concern was not warranted. I was contemplating a significant spend to match the new components but that just wasn't required.

As mentioned previously if you are going down the Leben path be wary of the lack of gain. You may struggle with lower powered amp and/or inefficient speakers.

Good luck with your decision. Sounds like the Shindo Masseto is ticking most boxes.

[RickD]

Hi,

 

I'm sure you are aware the Lundahl LL1931 and LL1941 are now available as pure silver wound and I understand the performance is very good. Have you tried these?

 

Rick

[CraigC]

You should add the Zesto Andros to you audition list. A very nice unit, plenty of detail, super quiet with lovely tone.

[analog brother]

please tell us more...

i thought you didn't think that much of it when you did the audition a few months back?

it's a grower?

[CraigC]

It's bested by the Esoteric and the Audia Flite. It retrieves more detail than a Sensor Prelude with a nice rich tone, not dissimilar to the Audia Flight.

Edited December 7, 2013 by CraigC