So What Is Everyone Using As A Phono Pre

[evan1]

So guys what are you using ? And why ? I don't recall much talk about it. I will eventually have to get a phono pre of my own, any suggestions up to 500.00 after you list your own.THESE ARE MY RULES

[lonewolfny42]

Try....this one..


More here...
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=69781.0

[jsaliga]

I'm using a Ray Samuels Audio F-117 Nighthawk.



It runs on a Lithium Ion battery.  I get about a week of heavy use before I have to recharge.  Sells new for $795

I have used several phono-preamps, such as:

TC 760-LC from Phonopreamps.com  - costs about $70.  It has its supporters and detractors.  I liked mine.  The only caveat is that it comes with a cheap wall wart power supply.  Mine had a little bit of hum in the left channel that went away after I bought a decent power supply for about $25.

Eastern Electric Minimax Tube Phono Preamp - sells new for $1,499.  It's a big phono pre and takes up some space.  Sounds nice though.

Cambridge Audio Azur 640P - sells new for less than $200.

Music Surroundings Phenomena II - sells new for $600.  Huge range of gain and loading options.  Great sound.

The reason I settled on the RSA F-117 Nighthawk is that it is the quietest phono preamp I have heard and it has the smallest footprint so it takes up next to no space in my rack.  Sound quality wise I did not hear much of a difference between any of the phono-preamps I tried.

--Jerome

[richidoo]

I'm very happy with my Vista Phono-1, AC edition. It replaced my Bellari which hummed, smoked, and sounded lousy, even with a nice RCA tube.  

[evan1]

Try....this one..


More here...
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=69781.0

Thought about it but it spec'd to your cartridge and you cant roll cartridges

[evan1]

Music Surroundings Phenomena II - sells new for $600.  Huge range of gain and loading options.  Great sound

One just appeared on Agon today .

[jsaliga]

You haven't said anything about a budget, but I would suggest you start at a modest price level.  Phono-preamps can run several thousand dollars.  I can't comment on the uber expensive preamps but I will say that you can get a lot of performance for $500 or less.

The Phenomena II is a nice unit and received good reviews.  But then again I can't remember the last time any piece of audio gear received a bad review.  You should probably consider it if the price is right and seller trustworthy.  As I recall I was asking $400 for mine and ended up selling it for $375.  It might be a good starting point for you.

If you are not sure about a budget preamp but would like to try one out I still have my TC 760-LC and I would be willing to loan it to you.

--Jerome

[etcarroll]

First the TC 760-LC which I just put in the classifieds, it does need a better PS, but plays MC.

Then I borrowed the Vista Phono-1, AC edition from an AC member, I really liked it.

Then I made a good deal on an E.A.R. 834P, pulled the Chinese tubes for 3 NOS Telefunken smooth-plates and haven't looked back.

[evan1]

You haven't said anything about a budget, but I would suggest you start at a modest price level.  Phono-preamps can run several thousand dollars.  I can't comment on the uber expensive preamps but I will say that you can get a lot of performance for $500 or less.

The Phenomena II is a nice unit and received good reviews.  But then again I can't remember the last time any piece of audio gear received a bad review.  You should probably consider it if the price is right and seller trustworthy.  As I recall I was asking $400 for mine and ended up selling it for $375.  It might be a good starting point for you.

If you are not sure about a budget preamp but would like to try one out I still have my TC 760-LC and I would be willing to loan it to you.

--Jerome

Added 500.00 limit to OP

[evan1]

  Sound quality wise I did not hear much of a difference between any of the phono-preamps I tried.

--Jerome

Then I guess I can spend 50.00 ?

[jsaliga]

Then I guess I can spend 50.00 ?

You can try to limit your spending to $50.  And I would suggest that you not rely on the advice of a single person as you decide what to do.  I don't have golden ears and come from an electrical engineering background.  These two factors make me very skeptical about the performance of higher end gear.  It's one of the reasons you won't see me posting very often in the equipment section.

The other reason I thought a used Phenomena II was a good starting point for you is that with its loading and gain options it will match up well with virtually any MC or MM cartridge you can throw at it.

I know what sounds good to me and I am less of an authority on what might sound good to someone else.

--Jerome

[Face]

Jolida.  Very versatile, can accommodate just about any cart, high and low gain outputs, and is tube based.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jolida3/phono.html

[shadowlight]

Check with Bill Baker.  He had a phone pre for sale not sure if it surrived the flood.

Found the thread: http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=3198.msg39488#msg39488

[evan1]

Check with Bill Baker.  He had a phone pre for sale not sure if it surrived the flood.

Found the thread: http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=3198.msg39488#msg39488

Checked his website last week and the black one was lost in the flood. I believe the other one was sold

[topround]

I use the Vista phono 1 with Cinemag stepups and I love it.
For a combined price of 500 I got very good sound for no money.
I have had 2 better phono pre's in the system (not mine) and they cost more one was 2K the other 10K, did they sound better?..well...yes they did.

The Vista is a no brainer if you are sticking with a cartridge for a time, If you like to play with carts then you need adjustability.

The vista will take some money to beat, trust me, it killed my Graham Slee Gold ERA v.

The ear 834 is something I would love to try though