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Bugle 2, Lounge Audio or Cambridge 651p preamp?

J

Jimfoto

New Member
I recently upgraded my turntable after 30 years to a Pro-ject Carbon DC with an Ortofon Red cartridge. I'm running it through an old Denon AV amp to a pair of kef q900's.

I'd like to get a phono preamp, in part to connect to my computer to digitize my records, but mainly for listening pleasure. The lounge audio is used at $230, the 651p is the old model at $179 and the Bugle is new (and hopefully assembled) at $189. I don't think I'd go wrong with any of them but I'd like to hear what others that have owned these think.
 
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Have the lounge and just love it. Just for MM cartridges though. May also want to look at the Emotiva if you plan to use both mm and mc cartridges
 
Welcome to AK! The Bugle can be modified to work with MC carts. The kits are a blast to build, too!
 
+1 on the emotiva xps-1. I got this to use with a LOMC. While I was waiting for the cart to arrive I hooked it up to 2nd TT that had a MM cart on it. All I can say is wow it blew away the one in my yamaha receiver. The highs were crisper and cleaner, the bass was sharper and the sound stage was wider and fuller. I originally got this to run a pickering XLZ cart I'm also very happy with it useing it as LOMC and the XLZ has become my favorite cart.I'm saving up now for a new and better pre to use to use with the XLZ so I can put the emotiva back with the MM TT. Do a search here on it a lot of people really like it.good luck
 
I love my Bugle. I tried a "higher end" one, but it was noisier (noise floor) than the Bugle. The Bugle just gets out of the way. Especially for the price, it is great...I haven't tried the other ones you are looking at.
 
Since I just upgraded for the first time in 30 years, I'm probably not going to get a MC anytime soon. Maybe a blue stylus in a few years. The lounge is now sold so I'm looking at $300 new. I'm still waiting to hear back on if the Bugle is sold assembled now since I'm looking for a phono preamp, not a project. With an Ortofon Red cart and middle of the road Pro-Ject, I'm wondering how much preamp would be too much dollarwise.
 
After looking at the Hagerman website, I think the Bugle is sold assembled these days. The gain is optional, the 40db is the standard for moving magnet cartridges. I built my original Bugle and power supply years ago, it's still going strong.
 
If I was shopping in the $300 range for a phono stage, I would be looking at the Vista Audio Phono One. It is a very nice sounding phono stage for a reasonable price.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
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