Phone Pre-Amp ?

P

pwcopy

New Member
Hello. New to forum and by no means expert. Need a phono pre-amp to connect a Technics SL1600 Mk2 with Audio-Technica MM cartridge to a Marantz NR1608 driving a Martin Logan Motion 20 stereo pair. Question: Do you think a 65 y/o guy (me) with average hearing (not impaired but not what it used to be) can really tell the difference between a Pyle PP999 with THD .08 /70 S/N ($15) and a ROLLS VP29 ($49) with THD .01/83 S/N? Both claim 20-20k response and both are cheap. I'm retiring soon and will be on a fixed income (and I'm thrifty ;). So before anyone jumps in with their explanations of why neither one is good (despite good reviews for both), or to chastise me for being stingy, pls humor me and answer the question. I'm open to suggestions for similarly priced products, like the last link below. Many thanks for your help.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PYLE-PRO-P...001&customid=0dcb2e118f124adea1fe6c4c9df6805b

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&tag=coloredvinylr-20&linkId=IQJTFK6Z4J3YVLBL

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-SU...a-839595967342&ref=&adgrpid=100759323784&th=1
 
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The distortion and noise figures are probably less audible than how accurate the RIAA EQ is. I have absolutely no experience with either preamp though. If someone has ever measured them for RIAA accuracy, thats what I'd want to know about.

Noise is probably the second thing I'd want to know, though unless you have super clean albums you're not likely to hear any difference there either. Broadly speaking though the less noise the thing adds the better.
 
All that you link to will probably get you up and running.

There might be another 6-12 within this budget that would be OK too.
If it's any consolation, probably many vintage 70's-'80's Receivers back during their heyday probably didn't have much better than these inside. Most were quite basic, but they did the job pretty good!

Usually when you spend a little more, you will get some better quality, better quality of sound, and might have more features.
 
I'm up at 71 so I know what you are talking about hearing the difference. Assuming that both preamps have reasonably accurate equalization, then here is my take: the difference between .01% and .08% distortion will probably not be audible for you. I know it won't be for me. The difference between 70 dB S/N and 83 dB S/N could be significant and audible. To further explain, the 70 dB S/N ratio would have a noise level twice as loud as one with 80 dB S/N ratio. The 83 dB S/N is even quieter then the 80 dB I quoted in the last comparison (previous sentence). For this one, you need to judge your own hearing. Can you still hear very quiet noises? Do you listen to music that has quiet passages like a flute or piccolo solo in a symphonic piece? If both of these are true, then you will want to spring for the more expensive one. On the other hand, if you family has to raise their voices to get your attention in everyday conversations, or you listen to rock and roll or heavy metal (i.e. no quiet passages) then the cheaper one should be fine.

I hope this helps you with the decision.

Shelly_D
 
Leaning toward the last two now. The ROLLS because
  • EQ Compensation Curve: The Rolls VP29 features RIAA standard EQ compensation. Counter-EQing during playback compensates for over accentuated high frequencies and low-end frequency loss. Also Made in USA.
The SUCO because warmer sound of tubes (I hope), can swap out tubes if you want tweak sound, switchable gain 39, 42, 45 dB. It doesn't mention RIAA EQ. Is it just assumed, or is it not a feature in Chinese preamps?
 
pwcopy said:
Leaning toward the last two now. The ROLLS because
  • EQ Compensation Curve: The Rolls VP29 features RIAA standard EQ compensation. Counter-EQing during playback compensates for over accentuated high frequencies and low-end frequency loss. Also Made in USA.
The SUCO because warmer sound of tubes (I hope), can swap out tubes if you want tweak sound, switchable gain 39, 42, 45 dB. It doesn't mention RIAA EQ. Is it just assumed, or is it not a feature in Chinese preamps?
Click to expand...

All phono preamps have the RIAA EQ curve. It is a requirement, not an option or a feature. The issue is how well the equalization is implemented, which is rarely, if ever stated clearly in the lower priced preamps. It all Counter-Eq's for the compensation used in the recording. Very standard stuff so most don't mention it. All 3 links in your first post do what you need it to do.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Shelly_D

P.S. The differences in the 3 gain positions are not very much. You will notice the volume change with each position, but any phono preamp will be within that range and variations will simply make you want to adjust the volume control a bit. I would consider that an unnecessary option that adds to the cost.
 
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srb02 said:
You might look at a Schiit Mani. They really do sound quite nice, for not a lot of money.
Click to expand...

pwcopy, The Schitt is a very good choice. You will most likely end up upgrading the low-end phono pre-amp. Schitt is a better place to start. Be sure to set the dip switches to match the cartridge.

:)
 
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pwcopy said:
Hello. New to forum and by no means expert. Need a phono pre-amp to connect a Technics SL1600 Mk2 with Audio-Technica MM cartridge to a Marantz NR1608 driving a Martin Logan Motion 20 stereo pair. Question: Do you think a 65 y/o guy (me) with average hearing (not impaired but not what it used to be) can really tell the difference between a Pyle PP999 with THD .08 /70 S/N ($15) and a ROLLS VP29 ($49) with THD .01/83 S/N? Both claim 20-20k response and both are cheap. I'm retiring soon and will be on a fixed income (and I'm thrifty ;). So before anyone jumps in with their explanations of why neither one is good (despite good reviews for both), or to chastise me for being stingy, pls humor me and answer the question. I'm open to suggestions for similarly priced products, like the last link below. Many thanks for your help.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PYLE-PRO-P...001&customid=0dcb2e118f124adea1fe6c4c9df6805b

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&tag=coloredvinylr-20&linkId=IQJTFK6Z4J3YVLBL

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-SU...a-839595967342&ref=&adgrpid=100759323784&th=1
Click to expand...

Numbers tell little about how each individual unit will sound to your ears.
 
Welcome to the site and congrats on retirement....

As discussed your listed options will most likely sound reasonably good and serve you well.

Another option that you may be aware of, there’s a plethora of 80s-90s preamps that are good preamps with low prices. You might do a bit of research and find a gem....

Regards,
Andy
 
Are you a DIY'er? If so, reply back as there are a number of really fine designs available that will blow the doors of anything you have been posting about so far for about the same build cost, assuming you already have the soldering iron in your toolkit.
 
A reviewer not liking the sound of a Music Hall preamp opened it up. Inside was a board with some questionable soldering and the component leads on the back of the board were not trimmed. This $100 preamp was actually the Rolls in a different box. It said Rolls on the board. I had a BBE from Guitar Center that was a solid performer. I sold it after I bought a Project phono box off Facebook. My Art/DJ failed after a few months. I saw a review of a Pyle555 with response graph that showed a slight rise in the bass. Guy really liked it. Those Bozak/Madison preamps look interesting, for less than 20. Ebay.
 
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