• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Now I need a stand-alone phono pre-amp....Recommendations?

Ross6860

Ross6860

Super Member
I'm "upgrading" my pre-amp and loosing my phono input in the process. Now I need to look for a stand-alone phono pre-amp. All my carts are MM/MI, so I don't have to have MC capability, but it would be nice for the future.

Budget, around $300 +/-, minus preferred.

I currently have an ART DJ Pre II with an upgraded power supply, so it's not like I won't be able to listen to my vinyl collection.

Needs to be an upgrade over the ART and at least as good as my APT Holman is or my Kenwood Basic C2 was.

Thoughts, recommendations? I listen to records maybe 20% of the time.

Carts are: ADC/XLM Mkii, Stanton 681, AT-95, AT-440MLb, Pickering XL-33u, so they all load about the same according to the specs.

Parks Budgie? Prices can be crazy.
Cambridge CP2?
Vincent?

Thanks in advance.
 
Register to hide this ad
Ross6860 said:
I'm "upgrading" my pre-amp and loosing my phono input in the process. Now I need to look for a stand-alone phono pre-amp. All my carts are MM/MI, so I don't have to have MC capability, but it would be nice for the future.

Budget, around $300 +/-, minus preferred.

I currently have an ART DJ Pre II with an upgraded power supply, so it's not like I won't be able to listen to my vinyl collection.

Needs to be an upgrade over the ART and at least as good as my APT Holman is or my Kenwood Basic C2 was.

Thoughts, recommendations? I listen to records maybe 20% of the time.

Carts are: ADC/XLM Mkii, Stanton 681, AT-95, AT-440MLb, Pickering XL-33u, so they all load about the same according to the specs.

Parks Budgie? Prices can be crazy.
Cambridge CP2?
Vincent?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Hi there. Try the Cambrige audio duo. It will take a moving mag and a MC cartridge. It also has a bonus headphone socket. I've just used one on a project classic evo turntable. Sounds great.
 
Rothwell Simplex, slightly above your budget and MM only
Vista Phono 1 mk2, does MM/MC with variable loading, comes in right at your budget

I've used both of these and was very happy with both.
 
I use three different phono stages:
Yamaha C-4 preamp thats been gone through... the phono stage is outstanding for both mm and mc carts.
A Bugle2, diy setup for 60db gain and 100ohm input loading. This sounds great w/ most LOMC carts into a standard input.
A Schiit “Mani” budget phono preamp... has dip switch settings for gain and loading (47k or 47ohms). I’m using this stage a lot these days and liking it. The price is hard to beat!
 
That Cambridge model is no longer made. It was replaced by the Solo and Duo models. Both of those measure pretty well but I have not heard them.

Parks Budgie is also likely to be above your budget on used market and is no longer made.

I would not recommend Vincent anything.

At the $300 level I used to have a Mofi Studio Phono which I liked pretty well, except it didn't too well with carts that had higher output, above 4-5mV. So as long as your carts are at or around that (or lower), it could work nicely for you.

Musical Fidelity has some recently discontinued models like the LX-LPS where prices have been cut. I have not heard them but they look pretty good. If you could get one to try with a generous return policy, might be worth looking into.

Personally I could not find a phono preamp I really loved at this price point, so that is something you may want to keep in mind. If you are picky it may be worth sticking with what you have until you can save up more and increase your budget.

There is also the used market, which can be okay if you don't mind buying an re-selling stuff should you not like it.
 
Last edited:
I've used a Cambridge 640P, DB Systems DB-1, Bottlehead Seduction but my favorite by far is the MS Phonomena, either Phonomena or Phonomena II.
Beyond your budget new, but you can get them used at your $300 budget. Multiple settings for gain and load. Phonomena II has the switches on the outside of the case.
I like them so much I got two, one for each turntable.
 
As I said, the Cambridge audio duo. Bought one last week.
patient_ot said:
That Cambridge model is no longer made. It was replaced by the Solo and Duo models. Both of those measure pretty well but I have not heard them.

Parks Budgie is also likely to be above your budget on used market and is no longer made.

I would not recommend Vincent anything.

At the $300 level I used to have a Mofi Studio Phono which I liked pretty well, except it didn't too well with carts that had higher output, above 4-5mV. So as long as your carts are at or around that, it could work nicely for you.

Musical Fidelity has some recently discontinued models like the LX-LPS where prices have been cut. I have not heard them but they look pretty good. If you could get one to try with a generous return policy, might we worth looking into.

Personally I could not find a phono preamp I really loved at this price point, so that is something you may want to keep in mind. If you are picky it may be worth sticking with what you have until you can save up more and increase your budget.

There is also the used market, which can be okay if you don't mind buying an re-selling stuff should you not like it.
Click to expand...
 
I've used a Little Bear T11 for a couple of years and beyond a couple of annoyances it's a really nice pre that sounds warm, full, big. It's said to be an EAR834 'clone'. It hums unless you attach a separate ground from one of the tube mounts to the grounding post, and even then if you crank the volume there is a light 60hz hum. At one point I bought a Lounge LCRIII but it didn't sound as good as the T11 so I sold it. I've been tempted to buy something better but solid state, but the T11 is good enough that it isn't something I'm a hurry to do. For a little under $200 it's a good bet IMO.
 
Thanks for the recommendations.

I found a NIB Cambridge Audio CP-2 for a pretty good price, so I'm going to give it a try. Figure I can always get most pf the $s back.

Keep the recommendations coming, though. It's good to have some ideas floating around in my head. You never know when something may pop up.
 
Steve nugent said:
Can anyone help me with my bulb problem?
I need a replacement bulb for a pioneer xl1550(pl550) strobe light. Anyone out there have any ideas?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Answered this in the other thread you wrote about the bulb. Good Luck, welcome to AK

Ross6860 said:
Keep the recommendations coming, though. It's good to have some ideas floating around in my head. You never know when something may pop up.
Click to expand...

Ask in BT. An MS Phonomena II flew off the shelf for 350 and maybe someone has a chunk of gear they would like to turn into cash.
 
Last edited:
Have a look at the Parasound Zphono. About $200 new, and a Stereophile 'Recommended Component', if that means anything to you. To some people, it doesn't. It's not the quietest pre out there, but otherwise it's very good, as well as MC capable. I feed mine with an Ortofon 2M Bronze on a 40yr old DD deck, and it's more than just acceptably decent to me...
 
Ross6860 said:
I'm "upgrading" my pre-amp and loosing my phono input in the process. Now I need to look for a stand-alone phono pre-amp. All my carts are MM/MI, so I don't have to have MC capability, but it would be nice for the future.

Budget, around $300 +/-, minus preferred.

I currently have an ART DJ Pre II with an upgraded power supply, so it's not like I won't be able to listen to my vinyl collection.

Needs to be an upgrade over the ART and at least as good as my APT Holman is or my Kenwood Basic C2 was.

Thoughts, recommendations? I listen to records maybe 20% of the time.

Carts are: ADC/XLM Mkii, Stanton 681, AT-95, AT-440MLb, Pickering XL-33u, so they all load about the same according to the specs.

Parks Budgie? Prices can be crazy.
Cambridge CP2?
Vincent?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

At $300 price point you won't achieve advantage of standalone phono preamp.

The cheapest one that is worth considering is from Tavish Design at $600. Though you will need to wait - they are made to order.
 
Here's another one for the little bear T10 or T11. You may get a little hum if cranked high but man does this phono stage swing way above its weight (price) class.
 
Why not just look for another Kenwood Basic C2? I just had mine re-capped, and a full fluff-and-buff. Except for the well-known balance-pot issue, it's still a fine piece of equipment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom