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Phono Stage - Preamp recommendations

Jeremiwvu

Jeremiwvu

Active Member
I'm looking to upgrade my phono stage, along with my turntable.

I think I have the turntable figured out but preamp's are confusing, and I have had trouble finding much info about them or threads discussing options on here.

If there are threads people have feel free to link, I will read.

I have a Cambridge stereo amp and tend to like the sound of European stuff, but I'm not stuck on anything.

I'm considering the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo, it's about $180, I'd spend up to about 200, or less is OK too if I can get better bang for the buck.

I may consider some level of DIY but not to the point of soldering components to a board, I could probably do it but I don't have a high level of experience or trust in my skills.

All input welcome. Thanks.
 
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I should have added that I'm really only interested in MM carts - not sure I want to go down the road into MC.

Also I like vintage gear and don't know anything about separates in vintage
 
ranch 22b said:
I picked up a used Lounge Audio LCR III for not much more than your stated budget. That was a few years ago and it's still being used in one of my systems.

The Park's Audio Budgie is my current favorite but used prices have gone up, as it's not being made anymore.

Here's a pretty good discussion:

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...d-alone-phono-pre-amp-recommendations.897224/
Click to expand...

And.. I bought a Musical Surroundings Phonomena for about $200. Probably one of the more adjustable phono pre’s for the price, and very good sounding.

If not in a rush, learning to solder PCB’s is a good skill to have - and it’s fun to “DIY” your own phono preamp. Thing is - some people are quick to learn, and some build sloppy stuff forever (I’ve seen it first hand). Like Mr. Callahan says (Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry), “a man’s got to know his limitations”.

I’m listening to a phono pre that I recently put together, right now - and I’m really liking the sound. It’s not op-amp based like many popular phono pre’s seem to be now, but rather, based on a simple JFET circuit. It sounds smooth and detailed to me. Cost was about $115 all in.
 
Thanks for the posts, I’ll look into the suggestions.

does anybody have experience with the cambridge or similar new models in the $200 rang?

also hopefully a comparison to some of the other options.
 
You may wanna check out the Little Bear T11 in that price span. A great sounding tube phono riaa based on (maybe a bit of a ripoff) the much pricier EAR 834.
It's China made, I know, but it really sounds schweeet!
I got the a bit simpler earlier version T10 and am very pleased with the performance.
 
I have a Vista Audio Phono-1 mkII and a MoFi StudioPhono. Both are excellent sounding phono stages, though I am somewhat more partial to the Vista Audio. Vista Audio also has the Phono 2, which is an updated version of the one I have. As an aside, I recently had a minor issue with my StudioPhono, and MoFi‘s customer service was excellent in sending me a new unit.

If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, I have heard generally good things about the Schiit Mani, though I would recommend buying it new, as they fixed an issue it had with RF interference. If you’re into measurements, the Cambridge Alva Duo has measured the best of all the phono preamps Audio Science Review has tested: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nts-of-cambridge-audio-duo-phono-preamp.6901/
 
mackat said:
...If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, I have heard generally good things about the Schiit Mani, though I would recommend buying it new, as they fixed an issue it had with RF interference. If you’re into measurements, the Cambridge Alva Duo has measured the best of all the phono preamps Audio Science Review has tested: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nts-of-cambridge-audio-duo-phono-preamp.6901/
Click to expand...

A new Mani will cost you $129 + tax & shipping. They do sound good with certain cartridges (most MM or MI), but don’t offer the load settings you want for MC cartridges - unless 40 Ohms works for you. I’ve had two Manis, both early and the latest. I like having plenty of loading options so sold the last Mani.
 
I use a Yaqin MS-23B tubed phono preamp. Tube rolling really makes a difference! Using new JJ E83CC 12AX7, sounds great! Way better than my Cambridge 640P, which I paid the same price as the Yaqin ($179). Yaqin is built like a tank!
 
For $200, the Parasound Zphono is worth a look. It's a Stereophile Recommended Component. Some people care about that, some don't. I don't. But I like the Zphono. No real adjustments, just MM/MC. You'll be listening, not tweaking stuff. It's not the very quietest pre out there, but it's not bad at all.
 
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