Three Phono Stages Reviewed (link)

[zenaudio]

Actually, four phono stages: Project Tube Box, Clearaudio Basic, Rega Fono MC, Project Phono Box SE, and Graham Slee Era Gold at the end. OK make that five phono stages.

What's intereting is that it describes how the phono stage matches a particular cartridge, as well as type of music.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1104/phonostage.htm

Excerpts:
"The Pro-Ject Tube Box is a clear winner with the Koetsu Black. The sound is full bodied, natural and warm, with a surprising degree of detail. It is not the most open on top, rolling off gracefully, but this serves to minimize the surface noise compared to the other units. It is well extended in the bass but not as well defined there as the Clearaudio."

"The Rega Phono MC prefers classical music to pop or jazz. In the Beaux Arts magnificent set of Haydn's Piano Trios [Philips 6767 415] the violin tone is small but sweet and bright and the definition on the piano is superior, with faster transients than the other units. It locates the instruments more precisely and had superior heft in the bass."

"So much for a low output moving coil. How would these units perform with a high output moving coil?

With the Dynavector DV20 XH installed on the Ittok, a different picture emerges. Now the Clearaudio is much better balanced across the frequency band, and sounds both more open and more comfortable with vocals. Color is much improved and depth is restored to the image. Location of instruments and bass response remain strong points."