New phono stage: valve or solid state?

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Originally Posted by friendly

When did you change to that one Ian. Thought you were settled with the tiny box you had.

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Settled me? Basically changed when I heard the Audio Detail. The Nighthawk was very very good, the Audio Detail is better.

Has anyone had the chance to audition an ASR Mini Basis Exclusive or a Sugden Masterclass PA-4?

Thanks

I have the masterclass PA-4. It surpassed the Trichord Diablo+NCPSU and a Whest 3.0 (one of the special editions), Lehmann black cube and a few others. I use it with the Ortofon ST80SE SUT with a Cadenza black and it's not been surpassed in years. BUT the MM stage on it's own is easily bettered and I prefer a tweaked EAR834 clone and to my ears (so far) is the best MM stage that I've heard for the price point paid. I've heard several Croft MM stages (yes I own that as well), and would say the Clone beats that hands down. The Paradise phonostage (which I own) is something altogether and you really need to get it properly tweaked to get the best from it (Speak to Si of this forum).

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Originally Posted by REXTON

.... a tweaked EAR309 clone and to my ears (so far) is the best MM stage that I've heard for the price point paid.

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Just to be accurate Andy do you mean the EAR 834 clone.

I notice your signature also refers to an EAR 3009 clone? Finger trouble?

Didn't know you also had a Paradise, I will have to get myself up to you for a listen.

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Originally Posted by Firebottle

Just to be accurate Andy do you mean the EAR 834 clone.

I notice your signature also refers to an EAR 3009 clone? Finger trouble?

Didn't know you also had a Paradise, I will have to get myself up to you for a listen.

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It says EAR834 in the post. Yep I have a 4 box paradise :eyebrows:. Look at post 374 https://theartofsound.net/forum/show...-project/page8