Devialet and Tube Phono Stages?

[Greg]

Hi Everyone,

We've all been pretty active lately in trying to resolve the "hiss" issue and it's great that Devialet has been actively working with us.

In the meantime, I am hearing the siren song of tube amplification and I'm considering getting a tube-based phono pre-amp to use with my Expert Pro 1000.

Has anyone tried using an external tube-based phono stage? If so, what did you think? Did it make a huge difference?

Thanks all, and looking forward to hearing what your experience has been!

Because of the hiss issue, I use an external phonostage, in my case being a Longdog Audio MCJ3. One of the reasons for my choice here is that I have known the designer, Nick Gorham for a long time and all the demonstrations of it I listened to, I was completely struck by it’s very fluid reproduction coupled with the ability to be totally revealing, particularly of micro-detail and nuances of sound. For me, the sound is most authentic and comfortably listenable for hours. 

The Longdog Audio MCJ3 Phonostage is not a pure valve amplifier. It is a hybrid, being a Jfet based amplifier gain stage, but with a valve based output stage. IMO, Nick Gorham has got this design just right. No other phonostage I have listened to has the same level of resolution coupled with quiet (considering valves are used) operation. I have recently demonstrated this phonostage to friends both in my system and in one of their systems. Being friends, we are all familiar with each other’s systems. Everyone reacted very positively to the MCJ3 probably leading to three new orders being sent to Longdog. One has certainly already gone in. All my friends have systems that can be readily classified as ‘high end’ sound wise.

Sorry, this reply has become what might appear to be a bit of a shill. It is not intended in that way and certainly there is no benefit to me personally. I am genuinely simply trying to share my personal experience and belief about an individual piece of kit that I now absolutely love coupled to my D250 Pro C/I.

More info here. http://www.longdogaudio.com/project/mcj3...ono-stage/

did you find it was a substantial sound improvement outside of resolving the hiss issue?

That is a great question. Without doubt, if you disregard the hiss, the Devialet phonostage is extremely dynamic and listenable. It doesn’t have the fine detail the Longdog reveals, but the dynamics and sound energy are certainly beguiling. I have no doubt that if I had not suffered the hiss issue, I would have happily settled with the Devialet. Of course the hiss issue has done me a service because I have now sorted out a better stage in consequence. I should also add that the recent acquisition of a Hana ML cartridge has had a significant influence with preference going to the Longdog.