Phono Pre-Amps - Which One?

[dkg999]

Now that I've got the new TT on the way (Pro-ject RM-5 SE), I need a decent phono preamp. My main pre-amp is a Rogue 66 Magnum that has the remote option and does not have a phono preamp section. I need a phono pre that will support a MC cartridge, which excludes the little Belarius tube phono pre that I had my eye on.

My budget would be up to $500 new or used. Associated gear is Rogue 66 Magnum pre, Parasound HCA-1500A amps, and Magnepan 1.6QR speakers with SVS SB12+ sub.

What phono pre's should I keep my eye out for on the used marketplace? What new phono pre's should I look at?

[Ricardo]

Project has some nice phono stages at and below your budget; when I had the RM-5 I used a Project tube box 2 and liked it.

[dkg999]

Ricardo - thanks! I was using the Pro-ject pre's when I was listening to cart's last Saturday. They seem to be plentiful on the used market, so that may be a good direction to go. I don't have any basis of experience with phono pre's, so wanted to get some thoughts from the forum.

[dkg999]

How important is the sub-sonic filter on a phono pre?

[Ricardo]

I just picked a used Jolida JD-9 with level 1 mods. I'll let you know what I think in a couple of weeks.

(The Marsh A400s I got "comes" with a P2000B preamp, and I'm just going to give it a try against my Belles. I dumped my Belles amp for the Marsh amp, so we'll see what happens here. The Marsh pre does not have a phono stage, so I need something for the comparison.) ;)

[george daniel]

Get a used Dynavector P-75,, can be had for about 375.00,, mm and mc,, check agon,, there is usually one around,,small footprint,, easy to resell if you do not like it--good luck--george

[Ricardo]

How important is the sub-sonic filter on a phono pre?


I don't have one, but I think it can be important if you get a lot of feed back in your TT and get that subsonic rumble in the drivers. I get some of that sometimes. It all depends on the flexibility you have to locate and isolate the TT.

That from a vinyl newbie; wait for the experts ;)

[dkg999]

I picked up a demo Pro-ject Tube Box II SE at the Music Direct store on my way home from work. Well, it was a little out of my way, but well worth it. I've got plenty of different varieties of 12ax7 tubes, so I can experiment!

[engtaz]

Wow you are doing it right way. Sweet.

Congrats dkg999 you are going to love it,
engtaz

[Ricardo]

That's a nice one; the stock project tubes are not too bad either.

[cmy330go]

I was also going to recommend the Dynavector P75. Retail is $750, but I've been in Music Direct a couple times when they've had a demo they were willing to sell for $500.

If for some reason the Pro-Ject doesn't tickle your fancy, I would definitely check the DV out.

Have fun!

[george daniel]

I'm content with mine,, for the moment until I upgrade to the Acoustech Ph-1P,, currently replacing the ps caps in mine,, and running it on 12 volt DC,, it's very quiet.

[mhardy6647]

I like the Bottlehead Seduction and Jim Hagerman's phono preamps (Bugle, Cornet):
www.bottlehead.com
www.hagtech.com

Lots of good choices at all price points (e.g., the Manley Steelhead, if you've got the spare change)... I think the two above are leaders in bang/buck ratio, though. Mark Deneen's "Juicy Music Tercel" is probably a contender, too... I haven't heard one yet, but I have seen and heard other examples of Mark's designs and been impressed.
http://www.juicymusicaudio.com/


I think I currently have a pair of Amperex 6922s in my Seduction, but I won't swear to it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mhardy6647/P1020763.jpg

(an under-chassis view; the top view's pretty bland)

[analog97]

I second the opinion of mrh. The Hagerman Cornet2 is an unbelievable value for $500 (kit). 4 tubes and 4 lbs of iron!! It beats anything I've heard. One interesting justification for my choice is to try to find a used one!! Nobody is selling theirs. I don't blame them. :)

[jchouston]

I wish the Bellari's had a power on/off switch other than merely unplugging the unit. Isn't that dangerous for the unit?

[mhardy6647]

No, only to the plug if you yank on the cord :-)

Plug it into a switched power strip. My whole living room hifi is one an old-time computer outlet center (the kind that sat under a CRT monitor... some of the oldest members here may dimly remember CRT computer monitors).

[jchouston]

Ha, with the orange glo on/off switches?

[WilliamM2]

No, only to the plug if you yank on the cord :-)

Plug it into a switched power strip. My whole living room hifi is one an old-time computer outlet center (the kind that sat under a CRT monitor... some of the oldest members here may dimly remember CRT computer monitors).

Remember CRT's? I still use them on the computer. I won't give up my dual Triniton's until they die. I hate widescreen monitors for computer use, and the larger LCD's don't appear to be available in 4:3 anymore.

[mhardy6647]

Ha, with the orange glo on/off switches?
Sir, yes, sir!