OK, I did it. I bought the “second-type” phonostage.

As many of you know I do not reconnect the cables and my first “reference” phonostages is custom made 2-845PT with Expressive SU2 transformer practically hard-bund with my reference arm and my reference MC cartridge. My mono “reference” phonostages is “Aulasaulalaraula” – the  two stager around 7788-7721 with air caps – a phenomenal performer and I would like to keep it as it, thanks Got it’s 66dB of gain is perfect for 3mV out of SPU Mono.

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/LatestPosts.aspx?ThreadID=41

So, I need a second stereo phonostages for the rest of my arms. I have borrowed some and liked none of them.  I have a very specific requirement to it including the very specific shape and the location of the input outputs – it is the only shape that I might fit in my rack. So, between the shape, performance and very limited amount of blood I was wiling to invest in the project I have seen nothing that make me satisfied.

Eventually six month ago I desisted to make one more “Aulasaulalaraula” correct and do not sacrifice for anything. I was searching the ways to get 10 more db from the “Aulasaulalaraula”, probably I will be able to get 3more db… Still, I relay hare those DIY crap and was looking some incentives or help to render the project that is being on hold for a while.

Well, I am wiling to inform you that I got the incentives – I have bought my dream “second-type” phonostage. (The picture is below). The real-estate wise it is absolutely EXACTLY what I was looking for. The layout of the chasses is perfection to my objective as well, each single hole exactly where I need it to be. It is Chinese-made MC/MM phonostages, I have no idea about the phonostage’s name or performances – I bought it explicitly because it is the “ready to go chassis” where I will put my Aulasaulalaraula phonostage.

The last question would be how much this case cost? Ironically it cost less then the money I usually pay for my custom enclosures. The price for this Chinese phonostages is $170, I hardly believe it could be beaten…

it might be tricky for this (as it is) to work well as a phono stage!  It also seems rather involved for a line stage too. (too much gain?) The chassis does look substantial though.  Presumably the valves are pcb mounted inside? What will you do, make a subchassis to replace the pcb & put your phono stage onto that?

There are several far east based suppliers of metal chassis that can be bought as 'one off's' from ebay shops now.

Paul S wrote:

How funny would it be if it turned out to be any good, or even not bad?

BTW, the sad irony but the well performing phonostages should not cost a lot. That entire BS that the Industry and their writing idiots invented around phonostages is very bogus. A phonostages is a filter with a buffer – how complex should it be?!!! A RIAA stage for a full function preamp should not be more then $500 and a full-functional phonocorrector should no more then $1000-$1500. There is nothing in 60dB MM phonocorrector complex or expensive to be making them expensive. To build any 2 stage or 2 stage + follower corrector is sub $100 task… What the people do when they trying to push $10K or $20K phonocorrector? They do not necessary sound better.... Anyhow it is depressing irony that playing my reference arm of my quite OK performing analog setup I use a RIAA that coasted me even less then the set of boxed for it.

It'll is truly entertaining. I received today this Chinese phonostage, which turned out has a name, a box, a manual and believe you or not but the phonostage itself! It calls Yaion MS12B. Did I forget to tell that it cost $170?

Actually I am very pleased with what I see as it has a perfect shape was perfect location of all necessary inputs and outputs. It looks pretty much how it was promised. It even works, I mean the tubes heating, that pilot light are flashing and it amplifies the signal. I even open the bottom of the unit and frankly speaking the assembling is perfectly reasonable. I mean: all fan incuding for $170!

It did not listen this phonocorrector yet, but it also did not blow up right as I turned it on. So, salute to you, the Chinese folks.  It will be fun to try listening it in a couple days; probably I will put in there better 12AX7 and better 12AU7…

The two stages 7788-7721 phonostge can go at near 70dB and it were what I was intended to put in that Chinese chassis. I would like 6-10db more. A transformer? A semiconductor gain stage? A third tube stage? I do not know…

Actually reticently, two says ago, an idea stroked me and I am currently evaluating it. It is very possible that if I accept this idea then I would not need a second-type phonostage. Since I still can not see anything that would touch the Sound of my “first” phonostage I was thinking to repackage the Second Expressive Technologies transformer and two EAR-T, making the tandem reusable with other arms (now it is imposable). It would be very simple to do and it will not compromise the loading demands from different arms. I do not know why I never thought about it before…

Since my  First, “End of Life" Phonostage will be done soon ( my mechanism has been doing the box for 3 month)

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=5856

I think again what will be the Second Phonostage to care my other arms with no re-plaguing. There is one interesting option but I know nothing about it. I hope some of the European visitors if my site would hear anything about this phonocorrector.

There is a Swiss company Rowen that makes an interesting phonostage:

http://www.rowen.ch/rowen/rowen.php?c=phono&l=d

It has a separate PS, can take 3 arms (2MC and one MM) and let to set loading for each input. I have no knowledge about the topology, active elements, gains, output impedance, noise, sound quality, price or anything else that I would be interested. The size and the functionalities look right. Do not tell me that it cost more then $100-$1500. Did anyone hear this thing or anything that Rowen does? Do they have US rep? Do they have any info in English?

It turned out that Rowen has the US rep - Steven Swabacker from Hi Sierra Hi-Fi.  The Sierra Hi-Fi has web site:    

http://hisierrahifi.com/index.html

The site has not a lot of information about the Rowen RIAA corrector but it is what it is. At least I mears that it has 64dB gain. My European sources told me that the Rowen Absolute Phono costs around 4,000 Swiss Fracs. No one I know heard it though….