So What Is Everyone Using As A Phono Pre

[evan1]

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

Did you ask that guy about the soundsmith

[etcarroll]

Just remembered, just prior to getting the EAR 834P I was checking out the Jasmine 2.0SE, and started a thread on AC;

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88602.0

Someone touted the best phono pre was dual mono, even went so far as to say dual TC 760-LC with aftermarket PSs would give a great sound, but I never tried that. I did drive down to MD. to audition a member's Jasmine, and was very impressed.

[mfsoa]

ProJect Tube Box SE.

[topround]

Yes,
soundsmith is 150 if you want it.

[BobM]

Using a Hagerman Trumpet, but used to have a modded Hagerman Coronet. The Coronet is a very nice tubed phono stage that will make most mm's sing nicely and you can find them used for about the $500 limit you set. Probably one of the better regarded tubed stages in that price range but there are a number of good ss inits to consider to. First you need to decide if you want tubed or ss. They do sound different in general

[Rob S.]

I'm using Art Audio vinyl 1 (mm & Mc w/ volume control).
It works great in my setup.

I started with a Vista audio phono 1, which was very good- except it didn't have enough gain for my .3 output mc cartridge.  Should have sent it back for the increased gain needed, but had a chance to buy a tubed phono w/ more gain and ability to run mm cartridge should I ever go that route.  Currently the vista phono 1 is not being used.... I've toyed with the idea of using it in an upstairs system with a medium output MC cartridge, and budget table, but I suspect my kids would break the TT.

Rob S.

Rob S.

[Putz]

I've got the Vista as well (maybe we should start a club). I had the Cambridge 640P before that. I'm keeping the Cambridge in case I roll in a different cart but so far I'm real happy with my Grado Reference Sonata which the Vista is set up for.

[tmazz]

I have never played with an outbaord phone pre since my ARC SP-9 already has an excellent phono stage.

[eleazar]

Rogue Stealth

[rollo]

  It depends on the cartridge. Vista so far is one the best out there for under a $1000. The Vincent PHO-8 for $400 looks good. Soundsmith MCP2, Grahm Slee Gram amp 2 SE [ a sleeper] or Sim Audio Moon 110LP for $599.
   For $1000 the PS audio is the ticket.


charles
SMA

[evan1]

  It depends on the cartridge. Vista so far is one the best out there for under a $1000. The Vincent PHO-8 for $400 looks good. Soundsmith MCP2, Grahm Slee Gram amp 2 SE [ a sleeper] or Sim Audio Moon 110LP for $599.
   For $1000 the PS audio is the ticket.


charles
SMA

Vista would be nice but again if you want to upgrade your stuck

[richidoo]

Vista would be nice but again if you want to upgrade your stuck

How so? 

[evan1]

Vista would be nice but again if you want to upgrade your stuck

How so? 

It is designed per the spec of your cartridge. What happens when you change cartridges or upgrade your table ?

[musicfile]

I use a Paul Hynes Verona Phono stage
For those that are not familiar with it it's said to be an Ear 834 beater ..those are not my words
I tend to border on the eclectic and unknown when it comes to gear
The phono is very good to these ears 

[Putz]

Vista would be nice but again if you want to upgrade your stuck

How so? 

It is designed per the spec of your cartridge. What happens when you change cartridges or upgrade your table ?

You can send the unit back to Boris and he will modify the unit at no charge. Not sure how many times he will do that for you but first one's a freebie.