I have finally decided that my ART phono preamp has to go, and I am currently eyeing three models: the Schiit Mani, the U-Turn Pluto and the Pro-Ject Phono Box DC.
Admittedly I am leaning heavily towards the Mani, but it's out of stock at both Amazon and Schiit's website. Amazon has the Pluto, but I don't know what their return policy is if I don't like the sound. Out of all three, the Phono Box DC is something I can pick up locally, but I haven't been able to find any reviews on it. I haven't even found any mention of it on Pro-Ject's website.
Basically what I'm looking for is something that sounds good and that I can get up and running with a minimum of fiddling with. Specs-wise, it seems that at least both the Pluto and the Mani come close to what I have now, but I can't help but think that both models will sound much better than the ART for the simple fact that they're both at least 10 years newer. I will also be glad to be rid of the level control. I have never liked using it because the instructions ART gave me were always a little vague (not to mention the plastic knob got lost and I had to use an engraving tool to mark the pot shaft so that I can set levels with it)
The cartridge the preamp's going to be matched up with is a Music Hall Tracker, but I will probably be upgrading that to either an Ortofon 2M Blue or a Nagaoka MP-110.
Admittedly I am leaning heavily towards the Mani, but it's out of stock at both Amazon and Schiit's website. Amazon has the Pluto, but I don't know what their return policy is if I don't like the sound. Out of all three, the Phono Box DC is something I can pick up locally, but I haven't been able to find any reviews on it. I haven't even found any mention of it on Pro-Ject's website.
Basically what I'm looking for is something that sounds good and that I can get up and running with a minimum of fiddling with. Specs-wise, it seems that at least both the Pluto and the Mani come close to what I have now, but I can't help but think that both models will sound much better than the ART for the simple fact that they're both at least 10 years newer. I will also be glad to be rid of the level control. I have never liked using it because the instructions ART gave me were always a little vague (not to mention the plastic knob got lost and I had to use an engraving tool to mark the pot shaft so that I can set levels with it)
The cartridge the preamp's going to be matched up with is a Music Hall Tracker, but I will probably be upgrading that to either an Ortofon 2M Blue or a Nagaoka MP-110.