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Suggest an inexpensive phono stage?

When a receiver/integrated amp has a phono input that IS the phono stage, now the ART fulfills that duty in your system, so you can use any line level input on your AVR 325 to hook up the ART.
 
A bit late here but I too am very impressed with the ART PreDJ. In fact, I started out with the USB model first and it sounded great too but unfortunately I was tinkering around with my set up which somehow shorted something inside and I decided to pick up the PreDJ instead.

Revelations! The PreDJ in my system sounds significantly better! More clearer and full bodied. My suggestion is if you don't require the USB function go with the cheaper and better sounding PreDJ version. Cheers!:thmbsp:
 
I found the non-USB model sounds a smidge better too. But, the USB model still sounds better to me than a lot of other things I tried for significantly more money.
 
JohnVF said:
My first external phono stage (except for a radio shack one i had years and years ago) was a PP2 and I thought it pretty decent for the price. If you think the ART stands that much taller than it seems like a really good deal.
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Does anyone know if the PP2 is is similar or identical to the phono stage in a NAD 7240?
 
Project phono se mark II - very impressed with mine - beats many at higher price points and a very quiet noise stage, no interference or hum - just music.
 
Hummm that ART non-USB sounds very interesting.
I'm running a TT (JVC QL-Y7) to a Yammy C-85 pre, to a integrated tube amp - once in awhile through a receiver phono input.
I always seem to hear hiss while using a receiver, but I can't when using the tube amp. So I'd like to keep it piped to the tube amp, but would also like to put the C-85 back in another room on a different system. This ART thing might be worth a shot. And sure sounds very affordable to give it a try. I'd liked to get the C-85 out and into another room. I have a C-60 also, but thats yet in another system.
I tried a couple Carver pre's and an Adcom pre and wasn't thrilled jumping for joy.
 
70WR said:
This ART thing might be worth a shot. And sure sounds very affordable to give it a try.
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FWIW, I pitted my $70 ART (USB model) against my neighbor's esoteric "audiophile" Cary/AES PH-1 tube preamp costing over 10 times as much, and the ART came out the clear winner. Gain was better, sound was cleaner and there was less background noise (actually, no perceivable noise with the ART). Somewhere I still have the comparison audio files to substantiate.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with those inexpensive ART phono preamps!
 
steely said:
FWIW, I pitted my $70 ART (USB model) against my neighbor's esoteric "audiophile" Cary/AES PH-1 tube preamp costing over 10 times as much, and the ART came out the clear winner. Gain was better, sound was cleaner and there was less background noise (actually, no perceivable noise with the ART). Somewhere I still have the comparison audio files to substantiate.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with those inexpensive ART phono preamps!
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I find this hard to believe. I'd love to hear those comparison files!
 
It is nice to see an audio bargain these days like the ART II. Just because something doesn't cost a bundle doesn't mean that it's junk. It reminds me of the first quality turntable I bought almost 40 years ago. You could spend much more than I paid for my new AR-XA but not many turntables back then could match it.
 
keithpgdrb said:
you know, I think we'd all enjoy those files.... if possible.
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I heard them months ago.... HA! :music: Steely will hook you up... Good guy!

I agree the ART sounded more accurate and it's pretty darn smooth sounding too, compared to some other solid-state phono stages I tried for twice the price and more.
 
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