Phono Stages...???

[StereoNut]

I am contemplating the purchase of a tube integrated amplifier to replace my Naim (SS) electronics. 

I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm realizing that a lot of integrateds (tube or otherwise) do not have a phono section.  That being said, I need suggestions for an inexpensive ($500.00 or so???) outboard phono stage that will work with my Linn MM cartridge. (See specs listed below.)  Of course, it would be nice if the phono stage could accommodate more than one type of cartridge so I'm not confined to MM only.

My current turntable is a Linn LP12 with a Rega RB 300 tonearm.

I would consider used, if I can get a better "bang for the buck".

Ideas?

[richidoo]

I use Vista Audio Phono-1. It is a simple opamp based phono preamp that is well reviewed. I use it with Clearaudio Maestro wood MM. It can be used as MC, but that requires sending to mfg for gain changes. $300 and sounds great. Small and easy to hide.

http://www.vista-audio.com/products/Phono/index.htm

Lots of tube integrateds out there. You get what you pay for, watch out for compromised output transformers.

There is a really high quality, family owned, high end tube integrated amp manufacturer in NY. I can't remember the name... 

[BobM]

You can't beat the Hagerman Coronet 2 at that price point, whether you decide to build it yourself and have fun, or buy one used with the mods/upgrades.

[rollo]

    Bill, two excellent suggestions. I would go with the Vista from Boris at Vista. But but.
   If I were you I would ask Mark to bring over his Miracle  phonostage for a listen. It made my Linn sound like it never sounded before, period. You have the option of MM of low output MC.
   


charles

[StereoNut]

   ...If I were you I would ask Mark to bring over his Miracle  phonostage for a listen. It made my Linn sound like it never sounded before, period. You have the option of MM of low output MC.
   
charles

Charles

I don't remember specific #'s, but isn't Mark's phonostage exponentially more expensive than my $500.00 or so budget that I listed in my original post on this thread?

Just sayin'

Bill

[tmazz]

  ...If I were you I would ask Mark to bring over his Miracle  phonostage for a listen. It made my Linn sound like it never sounded before, period. You have the option of MM of low output MC.
 
charles

Charles

I don't remember specific #'s, but isn't Mark's phonostage exponentially more expensive than my $500.00 or so budget that I listed in my original post on this thread?

Just sayin'

Bill

Double secret exponentially

Nothin for nothin........

[S Clark]

I've put new caps in a Cambridge 640P, and it's close to my Vista... neutral and clear.  I've got a Dodd ordered and Gary's putting some Mundorf caps in that I already had.  Also, I'll do the faceplate myself to save a few bucks. So, it will run a bit less than the $1200 list.  I'm hoping that this is a big step up, as there isn't alot of info out there on this unit.  Basically, I'm betting on Gary's track record.

Scott

[topround]

Tom,
I have the Vista and love it, but you can get much better of course.
I tried a Soundsmith phono pre, the one for $300 and it blew my Vista away, he also has one with better parts for $400, which should be even better,.
For cheap money I really liked the soundsmith, I also had the Graham Slee which was nice but not much better than the Vista.
My Vista sounded grainy and dirty compared to the Soundsmith. The soundsmith also had a better soundstage, it had the dimensionality of tubes, it expanded the notes, whereas the Vista is definetly more SS sounding. Of course if you want treal tube sound you should use tubes, but it gets expensive, they can build SS phono pres for peanuts, there is not much to a phono section,and with SS the parts to do it are just plain cheap to buy. I heard the Pass and the JC3 both SS units and they were very good, so SS can sound very good in a phono section. It is just when you compare a good tubed unit to a good SS unit that the game ends

[richidoo]

Thanks for the tip Mike. I've heard the strain gage but didn't even realize he made another preamp

http://www.sound-smith.com/preamp/

[rollo]

  Good call Mike. Who knew ?


charles

[Face]

Jolida, plenty of gain, plenty of loading options, and plenty of upgrades are available for it. 

[2two]

http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=3390.0

[topround]

I would stay away from the Jolida, it ain't worth the mods.
I can add a wrinkle to this equation if you are usng a mc CART.
Stepup transformers can make a huge difference, I am currently using Cinemags with my Vista and it helps alot.
Phono is funny..there are alot of variables, and if setup is not dead on, then the critical conversation becomes null and void, because you are not accurately saying anything ..really.
I know there are some that do not like using stepups..why I do not know, perhaps some philosophic reason, but I have found they can be glorious, and when they find a synergisteic match with acartridge it can be magical, but I am off topic ...sorry

[StereoNut]

http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=3390.0

Thanks, 2two! 

I guess I shoulda did a search before posting my thread.