Lounge Audio LCR Mk. III or Vincent PHO-8

[Iowa Tele]

Hi all,
I'm looking to upgrade my phono pre and have identified the above 2 as being in my price range and getting good reviews.Here is my current rig:

Musical Paradise MP-301 with 6L6's
U-Turn Orbit with Ortofon OM-5e
Orbit Pluto phono pre
Brennan B2 as music server/Internet radio reciever
Maverick Audio D1+ DAC
Klipsch Heresy 1 (with upgrades by our own @Leben)

Anyone tried, listened to, owned both? Any other recommendations at $300 max?

Thanks

 

[Sound Dragon]

Having had both recently in my system. The Lounge LCR beat the Vincent Pho 8 hands down. The one thing to keep in mind is that if you are running low input moving coils, the lounge requires a step up or head amp. They sell one, The Copla which is very good and matches the LCR. I own both and feel that it has really elevated my vinyl playback. I really enjoy it.

If you want to read my review thread, it is here.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ht-a-lounge-audio-mcr-mkiii-and-copla.814638/

Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[mprince]

At $300 I would also recommend the Vista in my signature. Very flexible and can handle MM and MC.

 

[mkane]

Run don't walk. If you can stretch just a bit.http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...rroundings-phonomena-ii.823486/#post-11631898

 

[Iowa Tele]

Thanks all.
@Sound Dragon, good review.
@mprince, I'll do a little research on the Vista
Looking forward to more comments.

 

[Iowa Tele]

Let’s try a bump to see if there is any more input on these 2 or other $300 phono pre’s

 

[fsdaron]

Had both and kept the PHO-8

 

[captouch]

My friend and I compared my Jasmine LP2.0SE (got it for $300 used), a Parks Budgie tune phono pre, a Clearaudio Nano, and using the internal phono stage of a Bryston 11B as a phono stage only.

The Jasmine and Budgie were the best, with the difference being the Jasmine had a wider soundstage, while the Budgie was a little warmer/fuller. The Nano, while nice, wasn’t quite in the same league, and the Bryston as phono didn’t fare well.

He also previously had a Lounge, but experienced some hum he couldn’t get rid of that bothered him. Otherwise it sounded nice, but never compared it to the others.

I mention this because the Jasmine and Vincent both look pretty similar with separate power supply units - don’t know how similar or different they are internally, and to suggest the Jasmine and Budgie as other options in your price range.

 

[Iowa Tele]

Had both and kept the PHO-8

What did you base that on?

 

[fsdaron]

The Pho-8 sounded better to me with my Yamaha YP -D71