Leema Acoustics Essentials phono preamplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Abis SA-1.2 tonearms; EMT OFD 25 & OFD 15 & TSD 15 pickup heads; Denon DL-103, Miyajima Premium BE Mono II cartridges.
Digital Sources: Halide Designs DAC HD USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer running Audirvana Plus 1.5.12; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Hommage T2 step-up transformer, Shindo Aurieges phono preamplifier, Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne (monoblocks) & Haut-Brion (stereo).
Loudspeakers: Altec Valencia, DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96.
Cables: USB: Wireworld Revelation 2.0. Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Nordost Blue Heaven, Shindo Silver. Speaker: Auditorium 23, Nordost Blue Heaven.
Accessories: Box Furniture Company D3S rack (source & amplification components), Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner.—Art Dudley

COMPANY INFO
Leema Acoustics Ltd.
US distributor: Bluebird Music Ltd.
271 Woodward Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14217
(416) 638-8207
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
fetuso's picture

Mr. Dudley, I get your point about the relativity involved in the price of goods. One thing to remember, however, is that in the 1970's ' there were no monthly expenses on cable/internet, cell phones, streaming services, and numerous other expenses with associated with the "good life." I'm 42, make a six figure income, and I have a mortgage and a young family. No way on God's Green Earth am I spending $749 on a phone preamp. I just bought an $800 integrated and I thought that was plenty.

hifiman1978's picture

Totally agree agree with you. The prices are completely over the top when it comes to this hobby. And then you hear everyone talk about how to engage the younger generation in this hobby. Well they can start by making things affordable first. But I have to add the asking price of $749 is nothing compared to what we usuall see in Hifi magazines. These inflated prices are mainly due to the few people who are willing to pay 10x more for a phono stage. Take leema acoustics top of the line phono stage Agena that costs roughly $5500. How can anyone in their serious mind think of upgrading from a $750 phono to a $5500?. Hence there is no upgrade paths it's just buy what you can afford. Due to the resurgence of Vinyl these companies are just trying to take advantage. The resurgence in Vinyl is mainly because of the 30's something who mainly are in the hobby for its novelty factor. Believe me these people are listening to vinyl on project or rega turntables costing no more than $300-$400 I can't see them buying a leema phono stage. Message to these companies if you want to engage with a younger audience you need to set realistic pricing. Otherwise this fledgling market is going to collapse.

ChrisS's picture

Starting on p.75, there are 5 pages of recommended phono stages... At the end of this list there's the NAD PP4 for $199 and the Bozak Madisson CLK-PH2 for $19.95!!

Go hang out at a record shop to see who's actually buying vinyl.

Also read Michael Fremer's column and website http://www.analogplanet.com/home

You'll have a much better understanding of what's happening with vinyl.

hifiman1978's picture

Just visited the analog planet website. And the first article has Michael Fremer review on a $1600 phone stage that he describes as "Moderately priced".

ChrisS's picture

It's a matter of perspective...

Click on "Reviews" and "Phono Preamps" and you'll find reviews like this http://www.analogplanet.com/content/four-phono-preamps-reviewed#xf6LCSVl7OvPZG0t.97

There's a phono preamp for every budget level.

Do your research.

fetuso's picture

I would like to clarify that I wasn't suggesting that this particular item, or any of the items you mentioned, aren't worth the asking price. My point was that I don't think college students are buying $750 phono amps. They're buying Schiit phonos for $150. Or they're buying the U-Turn Pluto for $89. Stuff like that.

volvic's picture

You say that now but in a few years you may look to upgrade.

fetuso's picture

I'm sure you're right. This hobby is as much about the equipment as it is the music, if not more. I love reading about the gear, and of course I'd like to buy some of it.

volvic's picture

I swore after I sold my Linn and got my VPI and SME IV combo that I was done, yet here I am with a TD-124 now without a tonearm yet (can't decide) and I am already thinking of a third turntable in a few years time. Yes just as much about the gear as the music. It's fun though.

Johnny2Bad's picture

" ... The product category didn't even exist until the mid-1980s ..."

Maybe for some, but I remember owning or auditioning in my home Phono Preamps during the late 1970's, probably '78~79. I remember I had a PS Audio Phono Pre and a battery-powered unit built by Peter Moncrief, both which were available at the local HiFi Store for a few hundred bucks.

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