Phono stage - Gold Note PH-10, Cyrus Phono Classic, Vertere Phono-1 MKII L

I’m looking into adding a phono stage to my Rega P8, ND7 stylus and Nait 50. Might jump the MC stylus camp later on but for now it’s ND7.

In my market these boxes have a similar pricing today. Anyone with experience of one or more of these that can share their thoughts? :slight_smile: Many thanks!

  • Gold Note PH-10
  • Cyrus Phono Classic
  • Vertere Phono-1 MKII L

Ran a Cyrus Phono Signature for years, with a PSX r2. Superb phono stage, nothing bad to say about it, especially after adding the PSX r2. :+1:t3:
Sorry, I have nothing to offer on the other two🤷🏻‍♂️

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I run two PH10’s. Excellent phono and configurable on the fly to fine tune to suit your cartridge.

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A friend has the Cyrus; it is a great-sounding phono stage and good value, and if you add the external power supply, it is even better.

If you don’t want to spend so much money, I would also audition the Rega Aria, which, for the money, is excellent value.

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Another vote for the Cyrus and psxr2. Only replaced mine with a Superline.

Cyrus allows tweaking on the fly. Great phono stage.

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I am using a Stageline powered by a Flatcap, old but still sounding OK to my ears. The turntable is a Project with an Ortofon 510 cartridge. Somewhat low output so you need to turn the amp up a little higher than with CD or tuner. Not too much of a problem except when going the other way, when it can blast you if you are not quick. Why do not manufacturers put a gain control on the output of phono stages to suit different cartridge outputs?

The Stageline is better than the lower cost Project and NAD that I moved through. I believe the Stageline is still available from Naim.

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I have a Gold Note PH7, I don’t know if the PH10 is better but the 7 is excellent with my P8/ND7…

The fact that it was equipped with an AES/EBU output was a big plus for me.

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I pulled the trigger on the below. PS will be added later on if I enjoy it. I had to move fast since they only had one new left in stock at a good price. I haven’t found a single line saying something negative about it.

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Good choice Bb, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. It’s flexibility, with multiple inputs all configurable as either MM or MC, will give you options for future cartridge upgrades…:wink:

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The psxr2 can be found easily second hand. Saying that I bought mine new, but made sure I got a good deal on it.

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Yupp that’s my plan if I like Cyrus Phono Signature :ok_hand:

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Little late to the party but I ran the very well regarded Simaudio 310LP (current Neo version) for a number of years, from that I swapped to the Goldnote PH-10/PSU-10 combo, I did compare the bare PH-10 first & was very similar to the 310LP, like for like loading settings & the PH-10 was a bit too loose in the bottom end & lacking some top end extension, changing from 100ohm to 220ohm brought the bass quality inline with the 310LP & helped with top end extension, but was still a bit fuller sounding on the bottom end. Adding the PSU made jumps in basically all aspects.

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I have the Cyrus Signature and PS with P8/Hana MH and am happy with it. Huge upgrade over Project and the Stageline. I was planning on a Superline but decided against it, due to the repair issue.

I do not know the Cyrus phono but I really like the Vertere unit and in my view better than the Gold Note.

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You with the PS on the Cyrus Phono. Is it a big upgrade on the Phono Signature? I read mixed results even though most seem to agree the PS is a worthwhile investment on the Phono specifically and maybe less so on some other Cyrus boxes.

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I found it to be an improvement on mine Bb👍🏼
…but then the SuperLine was a massive improvement on the Cyrus and don’t get me started on the new Urika 2 :face_with_peeking_eye:

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A Superline + a SC would likely have been great but roughly double the cost so that is for later if I keep going with vinyl :slight_smile:

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I went all in Cyrus and got a used PSX-R2 too :slight_smile: Hope it will be good. Feels pretty safe given what everyone says about this combo.

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Do You have any experience with Quad QC-24p?

And what about Roksan Caspian RPP:

I have Uniti Nova, P8 nd7 and Gold Note PH5.

For me the sound is very good.

It’ enough

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