Thanks, Michael! I finally got the package. My local post office had to hold it for me since I was in New York City all week on business and couldn't sign for it.
Grey-faced SPARTAN 20 in Chad's setup
Just started listening, and it sounds great! So happy to get into my new records that have been waiting to get some play (this Rhino High Fidelity Black Sabbath Paranoid sounds incredible)!
Chad, Connecticut
So as you can see, it is discreetly tucked away with the turntable power supply. I’ve been reminiscing with lots of 60s and 70s albums...
MC PRO in Tony's rack
It’s enormously satisfying to communicate with someone who actually built a piece of my Hifi gear, so keep up the excellent work!
Tony's full setup
I do have a complaint though, I can identify more than I ever could before, how poorly some albums are mastered! The silent back ground coupled with gentle use of the cross feed circuit really brings the music to the forefront, helping to diminish the format’s drawbacks.
Tony, Melbourne
Delivered yesterday and playing this morning. Immediately noticed the increase in volume over the Brio phono stage at the same amplifier level. The Spartan 15 has removed a veil from the presentation and presents a much cleaner and tighter sound stage.
James's SPARTAN 15
Vocals are very clear and to the fore. I’m aware my cartridge and speakers are revealing in the midband and I feel that your Spartan is doing it’s job and just letting the cartridge do its job without colouration. Many thanks for your assistance, prompt service and excellent product.
James, Perth
Just to inform you that I have already received the order and without any problems with customs clearance. In fact, I'm already testing MM Pro and I'm really enjoying it. I'm using it with a Sony PS X-50 turntable and a modest Technics EPC-270c cartridge and it sounds wonderful.
MM PRO in José's setup
Here is the MM Pro in its new home. With this Sony DD it sounds perfect. Silent and with an impressive transparency and response. I am very pleased with the result. Once again, thank you very much and congratulations on the excellent work.
José, Portugal
The postman was on top form Saturday, so was able to spend the weekend in joyous musical heaven! I'll keep this short, but to my ears the Pro has the best of the 15 (spaciousness, clarity & tonality) & combines it with the best of the 5 (pace and heft), then doubles it. I've now three superb phono stages and a heap of various others that will now need a new home. The Pro is superb & all three are keepers.
MM PRO in Paul's main setup
The crossfeed function is useful, but probably won't be used by me as much as the mono option, which I'm pleased is on all three. After some cartridge rolling, the end and best result I've found, combined with the Lehmann, is the Ortofon Music blue concorde, which I hadn't previously been impressed with - and with just a little fiddling with the DBX 1215, I now have the sound that I've been searching for for many years. Thank you!
SPARTAN 15 in Paul's second setup
Although the Lehmann is the favorite of my three main h/p amps (the Phonitor 2 - slightly too clinical & the Violectric V200 great bass heft and warmth, but narrow soundstage), I shall continue to keep an eye open for the end results of your Spartan 30 mk2! Right now, it's back to the music...
Paul, London
To us audiophiles that like our music from the humble vinyl record, one question will arise: what exactly is in those mysterious grooves? I thought I’d found the answer with the Ifi Zen Phono. For the money it’s a good performer, but it’s for MC as well as MM cartridges. I’m not likely to ever buy a MC cart so that feature is redundant.
So, after a video review of Michael’s Spartan 15 MM phono stage on Sound Matters YouTube channel, I took the plunge. Having had an online back and forth I can say that Michael Fidler is incredibly attentive and answered my questions promptly and very respectfully. This also convinced me to go ahead with the purchase.
Gary's SPARTAN 15
The Spartan 15 arrived 48 hours after purchase and arrived well packaged, albeit VERY cold. Resisting my usual juvenile urge to get new gear up and running ASAP, I let it rest at room temperature for a few hours. Carefully installed the stage and holy hell! This is a serious piece of kit! In operation it’s dead quiet, with the delayed start up allowing my Cambridge Audio AX-A 35 to come alive. My turntable is a Pro-Ject Debut Pro. Not overly audiophile but no starter deck.
Instantly I heard details not heard before, even from albums I’d had for decades! Like previously I had heard a bass drum in the Ultravox track Astradyne. With the 15 a bass guitar appeared playing in sync with the drum. My early 90’s Celestion bookshelf speakers doing me proud. Also I had to use generous amounts tone control to get the sound I wanted. Not here. The Zen was colouring the sound quite considerably and not in a good way!
Having a lot of mono singles and albums in my collection, including many Beatles originals, I was curious to access the mono switch. Instantly surface noise was reduced and the sound just blossomed. Records I thought were worn sounded beautiful, with a quietness of playback not anticipated or expected.
Having a lot of mono singles and albums in my collection, including many Beatles originals, I was curious to access the mono switch. Instantly surface noise was reduced and the sound just blossomed. Records I thought were worn sounded beautiful, with a quietness of playback not anticipated or expected.
In conclusion I will say this. I drive my wife mad with constant tweaking of my system, and I will admit I am fussy about my record playing experience. I can say without hesitation is that my Spartan 15 and I will only be parted when it’s prised from my cold, dead hands!
Gary, Norfolk
I would like to let you know that I have received the S15. It sounded great out of the box and it made me listen to all my vinyls over again.
Sean's SPARTAN 15
I'm glad to have purchase the S15 over the bigger brands in the market. Please keep up the good work.
Sean, Singapore
The preamp received two days ago, all procedures went well, the unit arrived perfectly packed and sound. I didn't have much time yet for a proper listening but can say for the moment, that yes, I can hear more details in the record, the bass & trebles became more detailed and rich and the space also is great...
SPARTAN 15 in David's setup
So, weekend is coming and am looking forward to turn the volume up... I wish you lot of success in your further work i pozdrawiam.
David, Czech Republic
I received the Spartan 5 last week, but spent Sunday with intensive listening and I'm more than pleased with it. Here a picture with my brand new Rega Planar 2, not a high end turntable but no buzzing or hum, it's perfect!
Thibault's SPARTAN 5
Thank you very much for the excellent build quality, the awesome audio quality for the great price and the overall experience.
Thibault, France
Received with thanks and now on duty with the Shure V15iii. Sounding magnificent, Xmas has come early! I shall of course not use any other power supply than one supplied!
SPARTAN 15 with Marc's turntables
As a further update, I've now hooked up the S15 to my LOMC system (Denon 103R/SUT). It sounds amazing, the best so far on that system!
Marc, London
