Arkless Phono stage

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by YNWaN

I don't own one myself but I have had Jez's loaner unit at my house and listened to it. In short, it's very good and reminded me strongly of the Linn Uphorik.

---

I had the loaner from Jez. It's good and I can see why people like it, but I did not feel that it compared favourably with Uphorik or DV P75. I wanted it to, because I could have switched and pocketed the difference, but I think there is a danger of unrealistic expectations when particular items become flavour of the month on the forums and people start portraying them as giant-killers. I'm sure it competes well with other phono stages of similar price. All credit to Jez for a very good attitude and the confidence to allow people to try his products.

I had a sneaky listen to one of Jez's modded 651P when it was out on loan :eyebrows:
I had my 640P and a 651P original's on hand to compare it to
Basically it blew them both out of the water its very quiet, transparent and 3 dimensional and has good bass slam I liked it a lot, the originals sound completely bland by comparisson.

I know Jez won't agree with me here but I have a couple of 12VAC wallwarts that do 2amps and IMO they sound better than the supplied walwart, both of us listening stated it just takes a slight hard edge off the treble

Alan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sonddek

I had the loaner from Jez. It's good and I can see why people like it, but I did not feel that it compared favourably with Uphorik or DV P75. I wanted it to, because I could have switched and pocketed the difference, but I think there is a danger of unrealistic expectations when particular items become flavour of the month on the forums and people start portraying them as giant-killers. I'm sure it competes well with other phono stages of similar price. All credit to Jez for a very good attitude and the confidence to allow people to try his products.

---

I hear what you are saying. As is often the case with my posts they are intended to be taken absolutely literally. When I said it reminded me of the uphorik I really meant in terms of presentation and character - not that it was literally as good in absolute terms.

The bottom line is that it leans more toward the mechanical than the organic - but it's still less monochromatic than the Linn ;).

My recommendation - build, borrow, buy, beg or steal a Paradise :) - it really is that good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by YNWaN

I hear what you are saying. As is often the case with my posts they are intended to be taken absolutely literally. When I said it reminded me of the Uphorik I really meant in terms of presentation and character - not that it was literally as good in absurd terms.

The bottom line is it leans more toward the mechanical than the organic - but it's still less monochromatic than the Linn ;).

My recommendation - build, borrow, buy, beg or steal a Paradise :) - it really is that good.

---

Even I would agree with that.... I doubt there is much that will beat it in terms of speed, grip, pace, tonal accuracy etc but more can be done in terms of "space" , "air" etc
Remember this is £160 + postage! (you do need to supply one to be modified of course but even if you buy a new one at £119 to send to me, as many have done, it's still a bargain). Sonndek has been the only real dissenter so far... others have preferred it to £800 and even £1800 phono stages... check all the reviews at: http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/s...d.php?t=126877
Yer can't please all the people all the time ;)
The Dynavector (at £675 I believe) is regarded as a giant killer in its own right and yet at least two have preferred the Arkless... Apparently it's quite a close run thing between them..... they say the Arkless wins on pace, dynamics, "PRaT" etc and the Dynavector just has the edge on 3D ness of soundstage etc
Check out the many reviews folks..... or book a demo.

My new offering whilst a lot more expensive should redress the missing areas admirably I believe... watch this space as they say.
PS The Paradise would be probably in the £5K plus region if it were offered commercially! ;)

I've heard the Dynavector as we were loaned one for one of Andrew's previous 'turntable bake-offs', but I wouldn't say I know it's sound. I wasn't bowled over in any way, but then my focus wasn't really on it.

The cost of the Arkless is really paltry in comparison to pretty much all the phonostages I have listened to, which has to make it a bargain

As Jez says, the Paradise would be 5 or 6k if retailed, so it is little wonder that a £200 stage does not equal it.

I'm running an Arkless at the moment (we did at Scalford earlier this year), it gets a big thumbs up from me, it has speed, dynamics and timing. I'm using it with a SL1210mk2/Acromat/RB301 and Goldring Eroica LX LOMC, it's pretty stunning, and doesn't take prisoners, feed it rubbish and that's what you'll get, 'honesty'.

There is now a "Turbo" version of the Arkless 640P available! For further details see http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...213#post486213

Oh and there's a first customer review at http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/s...d.php?t=144966

Would you be willing to send it to Simon Jez, I would be interested in hearing it whilst my memory of the standard mod is reasonably fresh in my mind.

I'll be popping up to see him with the Paradise in a couple of weeks Mark i can tell you all about it, and t'other if it's finished.