Maybe, at the $500- $1000. range, you could score a fantastic, vintage tube preamp.
Even a hot-rodded Dynaco PAS can be found for under $500...
Even a hot-rodded Dynaco PAS can be found for under $500...
Choosing a phono pre-amp…
- Thread starter RJCJR
- Start date
All set here and thanks, everyone. Going w the CA Alva Duo and it’s on sale on their site from $399 > $249 w free shipping
Very solid choice.
In a few years you're going to get the itch to try something else at 5x the price. Just remember to make sure you can return it if it sounds no better than the Duo.
lini
just me...
Sorry, but that makes no sense to me. An amplification of 1000000:1 would equal 120 dB, just as I've writen above.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
i know you already made your choice but the art dj pre is fantastic. ive got a parks audio puffin and clear audio nano which were more expensive, but i could totally do the art dj pre as my only pre with mm carts. its got the least amount of high frequency hiss when the volume is cranked and the riaa is accurate. the puffin is great for the the eq features and magic setting, but if that stuff didnt exist the art would cut it. i have a feeling if someone put this in another case, changed the name and sold it for considerably more, it wouldnt get looked at as entry level.
This actually comes from Wayne Colburn in the Pearl 2 doc. 55dB at 1Khz and another 20dB at 20Hz from the phono stage, 20dB from the linestage, and 30dB from the power amp = 115dB voltage gain.
lini
just me...
Hmmm, to me 55 + 20 + 20 + 30 dB would be 125 rather than 115 dB. But a 1-kHz-gain of 55 dB (= factor 562.3) would also seem extremely high, if intended for regular MMs and MIs.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
Graham Slee phono preamps have excellent reputations. There is good reason why their higher priced units, with multiple phono playback curves and a mono switch, are rarely up for resale.
If @RJCJR is planning on exploring very vintage discs, the G. Slee are worth the search. Build quality and sonics are very worthy...
If @RJCJR is planning on exploring very vintage discs, the G. Slee are worth the search. Build quality and sonics are very worthy...
Phono pre-amps can be one of the most "personal-like" decisions. I went through several (many recommended online), before settling on what I have now.
Do you know anyone with either pre-amp that you can listen to? That's what it comes down to — the specific pre-amp and how it sounds in your system and with your ears.
Sorry, I can't be of much definitive help.
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@Mr Boochie , You are so right !
Auditioning at home is supreme. Next best is hearing the preamp with some of your favorite record discs on a good system, especially a known, good system.
Auditioning at home is supreme. Next best is hearing the preamp with some of your favorite record discs on a good system, especially a known, good system.
