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Best phono stage on vintage amplifiers

A

Arval

Member
Hi ak's am a new user and i have one big question: I want to buy a vintage amplifier or a reciever for my thorens 166 mk2, currently with a shure 91 cartridge soon to be change for a Nagaoka m110

The record player is nowdays running through an Akai am 2200, the sound is ok, but i will like to go a step up.

I read a lot in AK about the classic ones: amps Marantz 1030 and 1060, reciever 2230, 2226, 2216. Sansui X17 series (looking currently at the 217 or 317) but my question is which one has the best phono stage and headset output... my house is not that big and i have a pair of bookshelf speakers b&w 686s2.

Any recomendations?
 
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I use a recapped Yamaha C-4 preamp. The phono stage is outstanding. It has cartridge loading and will accept up to 3 turntables, one MC and 2 MM inputs. It also has no problem driving my Sennheiser HD 600 headphones.
 
I think that the Yamaha phono preamps were generally better than average in terms of the big-name brands.
GAS preamps had pretty good phono sections, as well.
Holman's phono preamps (Advent 300 receiver, APT preamp) were, and to some extent still are, well regarded, too.

Most were pretty good in the 1970s and into the 80s, since records were the dominant "hifi" source.
 
mhardy6647 said:
Most were pretty good in the 1970s and into the 80s, since records were the dominant "hifi" source.
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In my experience this advice is absolutely correct. If I were shopping for a first vintage amp I'd be much more concerned with getting one that's 1) in good cosmetic shape and 2) that's been at least serviced by a good tech (if not partly/fully recapped) than really sweating make and model numbers. Your Thorens and Nagaoka combo will sound good through a whole host of classic amps and receivers, but you'll get your best out of that cart and table from an amp that's performing up to factory spec. Not to plug the site too much, but a subscription to AK gets you access to bartertown and that gets you access to a lot of skilled folks who can get a nicely working vintage piece to you. As the kids these days say: just saying.
 
AFAIK, almost all vintage receivers use a 2 or 3 transistor RIAA stage. There's only so much you can do with such a design. If the part values are selected correctly and the tolerances held, the results can be pretty good, but probably not as good as the best separate preamps of greater complexity. As above, records were the main source, so everybody had to do a decent job, but IMO trying for really excellent phono is a good argument for separates.
 
+1 on the 1060 i always use the phono stage on it as it sounds great, i tend to use externals more on my other gear. i havent tried it with head phones though.
 
Chrisxo55441 said:
+1 on the 1060 i always use the phono stage on it as it sounds great, i tend to use externals more on my other gear. i havent tried it with head phones though.
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Here the 1060 are going well over de 300€. Anyone now if is a huge diference with the 1030 beside watts?
 
Arval said:
Here the 1060 are going well over de 300€. Anyone now if is a huge diference with the 1030 beside watts?
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im not familiar with the 1030 build but if it has the same phono stage as the 1060 and you are using it for head phones it would be a good choice. hopefully someone who knows will chime in. i find that all my marantz gear has excellent phono stages equal to my rega fono, so i think either way the 1030 would probably be good for your use.
 
apt Holman preamp if rebuild/recapped, any of the Hagerman preamps (tube or SS) new
that are built or kit, and certain earlier models from NAD (but again needs recapping).

I have none of the above but appreciate the brand loyalties of the various vendors.

I think your decision will depend on price and availability unless someone posts
an evaluation that pyramids a good choice.
 
To make things more complicated one maratnz 2230 is on sight for less money than the 1060. I read somewhere that the phono stage from the 2230 is the same that the 1060, so my question is if i should go for it. Both are in good condition but the 2230 will spare me good 70€. Since am only interested in the phono capabilities from the 2230... what would be your recomendation?
 
Chrisxo55441 said:
im not familiar with the 1030 build but if it has the same phono stage as the 1060 and you are using it for head phones it would be a good choice. hopefully someone who knows will chime in. i find that all my marantz gear has excellent phono stages equal to my rega fono, so i think either way the 1030 would probably be good for your use.
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I have restored both a Matanz 1030 and a couple 1060's. While the phono sections are very similar, the 1060 is better. With the 1030 they used transistors in both the preamp and phono stage that didn't age well and should be changed. The 1060 only has two of those old 458 transistors. I kept one of the 1060's and do like the phono stage. There are lots of threads concerning the 1060. The phono stage in my Marantz model 33 preamp also makes it a keeper.
 
Arval said:
To make things more complicated one maratnz 2230 is on sight for less money than the 1060. I read somewhere that the phono stage from the 2230 is the same that the 1060, so my question is if i should go for it. Both are in good condition but the 2230 will spare me good 70€. Since am only interested in the phono capabilities from the 2230... what would be your recomendation?
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The 2230 should be the same as a 1060 with a tuner added. If it comes down to money and both work like they should go for the 2230. The 1060 would be a bit easier to work on than a 2230 if something needs attention due to it being less crowded. But both can be solid performer's and are much liked.
 
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