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Advice on an MM phono pre

B

boulderdash

Active Member
Hello, first post in a very long time. I recently upgraded my integrated amp from a Marantz PM5004 to a Classe CAP 151 (huge leap), which doesn't have an integrated phono pre, and I'm looking for some advice on what to get in the $300 range. Some options I've been looking at are the Schiit Mani ($129), the Lounge Audio LCR ($300), the Cambridge Azur 651p (~$200), the Vincent PHO-8 ($300), and lastly Classe had a drop in board available as an upgrade and they still have a few of them in stock for roughly $300.

It's being used with a Rega RP1 (modded to have an external ground wire) with an Ortofon 2m Blue. Speakers are Wharfedale Evo2-10s and a REL T5 sub. I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for other than the 2m Blue should present a fairly standard load so I think anything I listed should work in theory. I'm sort of leaning towards the Vincent as the idea of the external power supply is attractive, though for as cheap as the Schitt is I can jump on it soon and be back to playing records whereas the others are going to need some planning/putting money aside. If the Classe is a huge step up from everything else I'm open to it, though I like the idea of not losing one of my line level inputs.

Thanks in advance for help.
-Freddie
 
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Unfortunately, I don't have experience with the preamps listed but I do with the 2M Blue. After some experimenting I liked it loaded down 36k +/-versus the standard 47k. Much of this is personal preference and the load I settled on is surely system dependent, however I would look for a preamp that will allow load adjustments. I do that with a Budgie tube phono preamp that is just outside your budget at $399. The other option is to research how to make load plugs and you can customize just about any loading you want below the standard 47k.
 
I have the cambridge audio and it sounds pretty good with anything I plug into it.
I cheat though, I run 4 TT's through a Radio Shack 4-input passive RCA switchbox then into the amp.
Sounds ok to me and no more fumbling with cables all the time.

Pickering XSV3000
Shure M97XE
Grado GF3
Sumiko Pearl
Shure M95HE
Shure V15 Mk2
 
Have a Cambridge 651P, really liked it until I was able to pick up a couple of DB Systems preamps for MC and other components
 
i only have experience with the Mani, it is better than the Marantz and most other integrated phono stages. you will be hearing the Classe with a nice neutral phono stage, and nice price, it may be enough, i found the factory gain stage settings were a bit high with a ok sound but a bit "wooly?" so i changed the switches to a lower gain, and it became fantastic. right on the money. i forget i have it now, i just enjoy great sounding records.
 
For $300 I would look for a Denon PRA 1100, PRA 1200 or a PRA 1500. As a preamp they are hard to beat. 96db S/N on MM and will also do 79db S/N on MC. You will also get a heck of a control amp to boot. You will find these at better prices than the $300 you will pay for a simple phono preamp and the Denon is a high quality functional Pre Amp. Just IMHO. Most Preamps or Receivers or Integrated Amps don't come close to the S/N ratio these Preamps have. Most Phone Preamps don't even come close to being this quiet. Certainly not in the $300 price range.
 
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That Cambridge is an incredibly good value. I have been trying to de-throne it for a few years now.. it hasn't happened.
It smoked many higher end pre's. I have a Jolida, and the Cambridge smokes that too (MM only), obviously it's a different story with MC
 
Of those, I know the Cambridge and the Vincent, and must say that I prefer the entry level Musical Fidelity's over both.
The V90 which is their current entry model is an amazing value, at 200$, for both MM and MC, and IMHO - a very VERY good preamp, in absolute terms.
If you are willing to look at 2nd hand, a-bit-older models - the value becomes unbeatable.
 
I've compared the Douk Tube Phonobox to the Vincent Audio PHO-8. In my system the Douk significantly outperformed the Vincent giving a much more realistic soundstage. To be fair I had upgraded tubes in it with a Mullard Grey Plate in v1, Telefunken Smooth grey plate in v2 and TJ Full Music in v3 so with that complement of tubes it costs more than the Vincent. To my ears the Vincent seemed flat and lacked the soundstage and nuances I was accustomed to hearing.

I have previously owned a Cambridge 651p and it's not as good as the Vincent with an even dryer presentation. Not to my liking at all.

If the Douk has a failing it's that you need a separate SUT or head amp to use LOMC's with it. I did find that running my Cinemag 1254 SUT into the MM stage of the Vincent was superior to using the MC stage. More relaxed and detailed in comparison with a better top end.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Might try out the Cambridge taking advantage of MD's trial period. Looking forward to getting records going again, the Classe has been amazing even with digital via a Dragonfly so I'm really excited to hear pure analog.
 
Was gonna recommend the Hagerman Bugle 2 (which you can find for $150 in some places) but I see you're set.

I had the Pho-8 and I liked it. Not as much as the Bugle2 though.
 
The Douk Tube Phonobox is an EAR 834P copy using a beefier transformer, a larger case and similar quality parts to the original. It's very mod friendly. The variable gain comes in very useful too ;)
 
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