phono-pre for....

[Jonesy09]

...a Dual 1246 & Grado Blue > Outlaw 950 pre > Rotel RB991 amp > B&W 604s3. I've been hunting a Rotel RQ-970BX mostly based on a preference to Rotel gear but am open to ideas. I'm currently running a Rolls VP-29 that got me into vinyl. I'm thinking a better pre would notch things up a bit. I don't know for sure. Looking in the <$200 range although I don't know if that'll do it. What do the experts think?

 

[BrocLuno]

Way bigger bang for the buck is to get a better cartridge. Nothing wrong with the blue, but there are better out there with higher resolution, better top end by far, better detail and balance. I think you'll be kind of shocked at the difference between say an AT150MLX and the Blue?

 

[Jonesy09]

I'm sure that'll come at some point but the Blue is an upgrade from the original Signet that came with it. I'm aware it's not a high-end cart but I thought I'd see what the blue can do through a better pre.

 

[jcmjrt]

Are you diy? If so, and you want to make more than an incremental step up for about $300 build a Seduction or for about $400 build a CornetII. I slightly prefer the CornetII but it's more expensive so.... You'll have a phono amp to make you smile and keep for a while.

If you aren't diy, you might keep an eye out on audiogon for someone selling theirs.