Aesthetix Rhea phono preamp

[Josquin des Prez]

Well, now I think stepping up to the Rhea is more than I want to spend. I am considering the Naim Audio SuperLine instead. And it has the advantage that I don't have to deal all the fussiness involved with tubes.

[Markd51]

The one person I knew on AKarma (deceased) who owned a Rhea said he loved it.

Reckon anything with Tubes will be always susceptible to wanting to try tube rolling, and there's the fact that many of the finest NOS Tubes sometimes also had short lives. Probably correct to say one can never find the one sole perfect Tube, and would imagine sonics, and noise will be the most important considerations of tube rolling.

Kevin Deal-Upscale Audio would no doubt be one who would know which tubes will kill in the Rhea, and also offer good longevity as well.

If I remember correctly, didn't the Rhea also have an onboard demagger feature?
Not that I would personally suggest using one on an MC, one would probably be better off using a less drastic means of demagging, like the Cardas Sweep&Burn LP every once and awhile.

[Josquin des Prez]

As it turns out, I ordered a Herron Audio VTPH-2 instead, for about $1K less. They are local and will deliver it when my unit is ready.

[Markd51]

Years ago, I was then in the market for a fairly decent "mid level" (what I call mid level)Phono Stage, one that perhaps I could find used, but in mint condition with not too much use-wear and tear on it. So, I could save a little bit of coin in the process.

I had considered the Rhea, as I knew the Unit appeared to have a great deal of versatility, and adjustability, and felt these were highly important features to have, for no matter what MC Cartridge might come down the pike one day.

It's been said by many, to usually buy much more than you really need, that this helps stave off future obsolecense. It's not a happy thing to then later find out, that that Lyra, Benz, ZYX, or other ultra low output Cartridge isn't going to be compatible with the present Phono Stage that you spent so much money upon.

The better Phono Stage will also usually be up to the task to then showcase a better Cartridge as time, and money allow.

You all well know, analog is usually only as good as its weakest link.

Another good friend of mine, also deceased now, his name was Thomas Back, was a fairly wealthy man, an optical designer, lived near Cleveland OH, was using a Clearaudio Master Reference Table, with the Lyra Titan I Cartridge, and was having nightmares with just about every phono stage made by man due to RFI issues.

Seems he was surrounded by a host of Radio Station Antennas, and that this was the cause of such. He took a considerable step down, buy finally found a Phono Stage that didn't harangue him with these issues, the Sutherland PhD Battery Powered Stage.

I seriously considered his advice, and like if the Sutherland, and I bought one myself a short time later.

My sole worries about going to the lushness of tubes, and of Units I had seriously considered, like the Aesthetix Rhea, or the Manley Steelhead was a Unit that might eventually place me in the poor house with Tube Rolling.

I've been very happy with my Sutherland PhD ever since, it's been reliable, doesn't eat batteries (uses 16 D Cells) is dead quiet, good adjustability of Gain-Loading, with plug on boards, and high output gain boards are available. Custom Loading can also be accomplished with blank boards, by soldering in your choice of resistors.

Current market prices on the $3000 once new Sutherland PhD run roughly about $1500-$1600. I paid $2K for mine in mint condition about 4-1/2 years ago. I don't believe this unit is in production anymore, but Sutherland is a very good company, and make some really nice equipment.

Downsides of the PhD are only one input, inputs-outputs are both unbalanced, and the heavy cover has to be unscrewed from the bottom, then slid off the unit to change values on the mother board. Upsides are no AC hookup, and a adjustable sentry monitor which automatically turns the unit both on, or off. Just a simple wisk with a stylus brush on the stylus, or setting down on the groove, the unit comes to life.
Mark

[Robert_Anderson]

I have a Rhea, and even though I am not home as much as I want, I love it. I have owned some very nice phono units, and this is wonderfully constructed, sounding, and versatile.

[MtnHam]

Originally Posted by Markd51

Years ago, I was then in the market for a fairly decent "mid level" (what I call mid level)Phono Stage, one that perhaps I could find used, but in mint condition with not too much use-wear and tear on it. So, I could save a little bit of coin in the process.

I had considered the Rhea, as I knew the Unit appeared to have a great deal of versatility, and adjustability, and felt these were highly important features to have, for no matter what MC Cartridge might come down the pike one day.

It's been said by many, to usually buy much more than you really need, that this helps stave off future obsolecense. It's not a happy thing to then later find out, that that Lyra, Benz, ZYX, or other ultra low output Cartridge isn't going to be compatible with the present Phono Stage that you spent so much money upon.

The better Phono Stage will also usually be up to the task to then showcase a better Cartridge as time, and money allow.

You all well know, analog is usually only as good as its weakest link.


Downsides of the PhD are only one input, inputs-outputs are both unbalanced, and the heavy cover has to be unscrewed from the bottom, then slid off the unit to change values on the mother board. Upsides are no AC hookup, and a adjustable sentry monitor which automatically turns the unit both on, or off. Just a simple wisk with a stylus brush on the stylus, or setting down on the groove, the unit comes to life.
Mark

Prior to the Rhea, I owned the Sutherland PhD. I loved the absolute dead quiet and other virtues, but, in-spite of some tube rush, found the Rhea superior, primarily for it's dynamics, and of course the 'on the fly' adjust-ability. My current phono stage, the ARC REF2SE has it all, and is dead quiet! Of course it's a lot more money.

[Markd51]

Originally Posted by MtnHam

Prior to the Rhea, I owned the Sutherland PhD. I loved the absolute dead quiet and other virtues, but, in-spite of some tube rush, found the Rhea superior, primarily for it's dynamics, and of course the 'on the fly' adjust-ability. My current phono stage, the ARC REF2SE has it all, and is dead quiet! Of course it's a lot more money.

I know what you say is of course true.

That although the Sutherland PhD was a Stereophile rated class A Phono Pre, I believe M Fremer, although had much very high praise for the unit, claimed it slightly fell short sonically versus some of the other very best to be had in the marketplace at that time.

Of course Mr Fremer has the luxury at least if not owning, has the ability to have such cutting edge pieces of equipment fall into his hands to test-evaluate, and write about.

In this sector of the audio world, and like other fine components, you usually DO get what you pay for. There are a few Stages out there today that are priced in excess of $10K and $15K. ALl things being equal, they should be able to surpass the abilities of Stages like the PhD.

For Aesthetix, there is the Io, I believe that is their top tier Phono Stage currently.

One fact I did find out about the Sutherland PhD about a year ago, was one could easily "roll" one of the OP Amps on the Mother Board. Although I haven't yet tried such, one day I may, I understand the existing OP Amp I speak of was about a $3.99 part from Mouser, wheras there is a better choice that would cost about $30. Ron Sutherland himself confirmed this better OP Amp as useable, beneficial, that this particular component would've been better choice for the PhD.

It often comes down to "building to a price point" with much equipment. And with those pieces of gear that go beyond, well of course it sure helps to have some very deep pockets!

I gather what Ron Sutherland has now on the market as their top tier Phono Stage (Hubble?) goes beyond what the PhD could do.
Mark

[Markd51]

Simply stated, tube rush is noise. This is the trade off. It is hard for many pieces of solid state gear to shrug "sterility", a term usually never associated with tubes.

Having never owned any Tube Phono Stages, I would gather that noise will be a variable, influenced by both design, and by the tubes themselves.

This of course then has to be a personal choice, the choice of tube versus solid state.

I know how hard many strive for the very best sound that they can extract from their analog front ends, Tables, Arms, Cartridges, Cables, Phono Stages, RCM's and Cleaners.
One quality is silence, and I strove for such.

I'm using the ZYX Airy 3X Zn Low Output, this Cartridge exhibits extremely low noise, IMO shamed the Benz Ruby 3 I had before it, was no contest, fantastic dynamics, great neutrality, purity, virtual zero bloat-overhang, clean tight bass, seems to do very little wrong, and felt it was a good match to compliment the Sutherland PhD.

On good quality records, sound eminates from a total silent black background.

[analog brother]

ron sutherland's current flagship is the dual-mono phonoblocks.
heard any reports in regards to this unit?
it is ac- powered.

[Josquin des Prez]

Has anyone with the Rhea used the cartridge demagnetizer that is built-in? What are your thoughts about it? It's available as a separate product.