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Recommendations For Phono Preamp

Bubbalouie

Bubbalouie

Audiophilia Maximus
I am looking for a phono preamp for mm and mc cartridges. I haven't found anything helpful by doing a search, which is the reason for my thread. A little info about my system.

Solid State Integrated Amp @ 75WPC
Tube Integrated Amp @ 40WPC
AR XB
Dual 721
Speakers Sensitivity - 90 or 92dB

I am open to a ss or tube phono preamp. I use both integrateds and plan on keeping them. At the moment I have a Shure M97xe and Grado Black mm and a Denon DL-110 mc. Sometime in the near future I would like to try a LOMC, which is the reason for both mm and mc compatible. I am currently using the Phono on my ss integrated.

This may see petty, but I prefer to have the switches on the outside of the preamp because this makes for easier switching without taking the cover off. I know this seems minor, but it is a must have.

It's hard for me to give a budget because I am looking to get the best for my money and I want this to be the one that will last me. If I can get one for under $200, that would be great. If there is one that is a better unit for a little more cash, I would consider this as well. The important matter is it must work well with ss and tubes.

I read an article regarding a tube phono preamp for solid state and solid state phono preamp for tube. I'm not sure if this is hype, or should it be considered? I would like to hear from both camps regarding ss or tubes and their thoughts/impressions.

I am open to any and all suggestions. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

I hope I have given enough information to you for your recommendations
 
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I almost pulled the trigger on a Vincent - PHO-8 - Phono Stage MM/MC for $299 this year ... maybe next.

  • Separate chassis for power supply and phono stage
VIPHO8_BLK_PHR.jpg
VIPHO8_BLK_PSR.jpg
VIPHO8_PHONO_INT.jpg
VIPHO8_PS_INT2.jpg
VIPHO8_NLIFE.jpg
 
In that price range, I would choose the Pro-Ject Phono Box S. Fully adjustable and has a subsonic filter, but most importantly sounds good. Another option is the Emotiva XPS-1. Also fully adjustable, but no subsonic filter.
 
Condorsat said:
I almost pulled the trigger on a Vincent - PHO-8 - Phono Stage MM/MC for $299 this year ... maybe next.

  • Separate chassis for power supply and phono stage
VIPHO8_BLK_PHR.jpg
VIPHO8_BLK_PSR.jpg
VIPHO8_PHONO_INT.jpg
VIPHO8_PS_INT2.jpg
VIPHO8_NLIFE.jpg
Click to expand...


The Vincent has been on my short list. I do not see any dip switches, are they on the inside?
 
Bubbalouie said:
The Vincent has been on my short list. I do not see any dip switches, are they on the inside?
Click to expand...

:dunno: .. owners manual did not say anything about that.

... the highest up the phono pre totem pole I went so far is the Cambridge Audio - Azur 551P - MM
 
Bubbalouie said:
Speaker's sensitivity is 90 or 92dB.

I updated my original post to include speakers.
Click to expand...
That could cover 100+ speakers of varying quality from boom box specials to Martin Logan. If it's the former, I'd recommend the cheapest you can find. For Martin Logans, I'd recommend one of the upmarket Lehmann models.
 
Bubbalouie said:
What are your thoughts/impressions of the 551P and what table/cartridge are you using?
Click to expand...

Depends on the speaker I am using at the time ... if I use the 551 with my Pioneer BS 22 (Andrew Jones) ...
AT 440mla cart ... Yamaha Int Amp ... probably not a good equipment match. The stock phono amp on the Yamaha actually sounds better ... slightly bright but better.

551 :thumbsdown: ... too "bright" or digital sounding. Back in 1984 ... I would have been :banana: ... I wanted LP's to sound more like CD's. That changed in 2000 when I got back into Vinyl.

If I use it with my Wharfedale 10.1 Diamonds ... :thumbsup: ... I like it better ... but still a little bright ... would prefer a warmer sound. The 10.1's are not as "picky" as P BS 22.

I've got a pair of Kef Q 100's waiting for the Christmas day ... :music:.
 
Condorsat said:
Depends on the speaker I am using at the time ... if I use the 551 with my Pioneer BS 22 (Andrew Jones) ...
AT 440mla cart ... Yamaha Int Amp ... probably not a good equipment match. The stock phono amp on the Yamaha actually sounds better ... slightly bright but better.

551 :thumbsdown: ... too "bright" or digital sounding. Back in 1984 ... I would have been :banana: ... I wanted LP's to sound more like CD's. That changed in 2000 when I got back into Vinyl.

If I use it with my Wharfedale 10.1 Diamonds ... :thumbsup: ... I like it better ... but still a little bright ... would prefer a warmer sound. The 10.1's are not as "picky" as P BS 22.

I've got a pair of Kef Q 100's waiting for the Christmas day ... :music:.
Click to expand...

Besides your Christmas present, congrats by the way, it sounds like you are not happy with the CA, or am I wrong. Are you considering replacing it with something else?
 
Considering replacing it ... I've had it for two years ... new toy time. I'm not going to replace anything yet ... with new speakers on the way ... don't like too many upgrades at once.

I'm wanting a warmer sound on Vinyl ... just have to get the right equipment match.
 
You cannot do more than one upgrade at a time. I have the same feeling for the warm sound and I think I have the right components in place. Besides the phono preamp, the only upgrades I will need to make is a power conditioner (I'm running out of outlets) and cables.

I wish you well on your journey and hope you obtain the warm sound.

Please continue with your recommendations for a phono preamp.
 
I'm using a Pro-Ject Phono Box S that I found nearly new on CL for $50. But I wouldn't be disappointed if I'd paid $200.
 
winters860 said:
I'm using a Pro-Ject Phono Box S that I found nearly new on CL for $50. But I wouldn't be disappointed if I'd paid $200.
Click to expand...

Don't stop there, tell me more. What are you thought/impressions, and is it ss or tube, are you completely satisfied or looking to upgrade in the future?
 
The Pro-Ject Phono Box S is a small black or silver solid state preamp that accommodates either MM or MC carts. Set up is accomplished via a bank of fiddly little DIP switches that you'll cuss for a minute, then forget about. It's powered by an 18V wall wart.

I've used a variety of onboard phono preamps in vintage preamps, receivers, and integrated amps over the years. My gut says that the Phono Box S is easily on par.

Immediately before purchasing the Phono Box S this summer, I was using an ART DJ Pre II with stock power supply. While that preamp has its fans, I always found it lackluster to the point that I was never interested in the recommended power supply upgrade. Switching to the Phono Box S, I was gratified to note an improvement in resolution and dynamics over the ART large enough for me to convince myself it wasn't psychosomatic. This shouldn't be surprising, as the construction quality of the ART is less refined, and it features a painfully simple single op-amp design that's optimized for economy. I don't mean to be too hard on the ART, as it is what people say it is: the cheapest phono pre you can still call "decent".

I would certainly consider buying an upgraded power supply for the Phono Box S (I'd probably go with something Chinese before I shelled out of the one Pro-Ject sells), but I have no urge whatsoever to replace the pre. I'm approaching something like balance in my rig, and I'm not sure I'd get a lot of benefit out of a better phono preamp with my current table/cartridge/system/ears. When my stylus wears out, I'm glad that the Phono Box S leaves the MC avenue open.

Taking a step back, if I'd have had $200 to spend, I'm not sure how much better or worse off I'd have been choosing something similarly priced from Cambridge Audio, Parasound, Music Hall, etc. Truthfully, I'd been eyeballing the Little Bear T10 Ver2.6 pretty hard (MM or HOMC only), but the Pro-Ject has knocked that thought right out of my head.
 
So what speakers? Difficult to recommend anything unless you add the final, and most important part, to the jigsaw puzzle.
 
Make/Model is irrelevant. 90 to 92dB is quite enough and more efficient to handle anything. They had a MSRP of $1,000, but that is not what I paid... ;)
 
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