AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Vinyl Circle => Topic started by: Jflemelin on 24 Mar 2020, 03:26 pm
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Hi everyone,
In these uncertain times, I'm looking for a quality affordable phono preamp... Buying used is an option. Sooo what would you recommend? Go!
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budget? MC v. MM?
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Define "affordable".
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MM.
Under 750$ would be my budget.
Thanks
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Use the search tool, or look at similar threads in the same Circle.
This one from just a few weeks ago covers the same ground and should be helpful:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=168460.0
And basically the same query / thread on AudioNervosa:
https://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=7519.0
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VISTA, right here on AC. KABOOM for the buck period. Not a dealer for Vista.
charles
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Sold
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Thanks for the input guys.
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check out Ryan Sound Lab RSL Phono Stage. MM version is $699.
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Swetone Audio on face book.
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A used Jolida JD-9 with some NOS tubes might be a good way to go.
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Van Alstine Vision phono pre with fully adjustable loading MC/MM $500
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Van Alstine Vision phono pre with fully adjustable loading MC/MM $500
AVA keeps poping up on my radar... I'll look into it. The Ultravalve is also tempting as an amplifier...
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I did this search a while back....did not pull the trigger but the ones that were most recommended were
lounge audio
vista
tavish
AVA
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Another strong recommendation would be the Keces Ephono & Epower supply for $699. Mine is about three months old, and is awesome for the money. I have had two AVA phono preamps. Prior to the Keces, I had a separate AVA paired to my Benchmark LA4. The Benchmark replaced a AVA T10 RB with a phono preamp.
Along with external adjustments, it also is two separate chassis.
It did not take all of the 14 day trial period to decide which one to keep. The AVA is a garden hose compared to the Keces fire hydrant.
The attack, and decay, of acoustic instruments, is palpable.
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Perhaps a used Sutherland will come up during your search. I'm very happy with my older Ph3d-ac.
Edit- I see a Sutherland KC Vibe on audiogon now. Asking $670, 12 days left. Maybe some negotiating room. No relationship to the seller.
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Please, please research the Puffin Phono from Parks Audio, a "digital phono preamp" with DPS and much more. The designer keeps improving the machine with new firmware's and know it even has a click and pop reducer. To me is like if you would buy a tube amp and every 2-3 months the amp company would send a new set of tubes your way for free just to try them to see if you like them. The guy could sell this upgrades but he just releases them for free. Just read the reviews in Amazon, not associated in any way with the company, just a very happy customer, $499 I believe.
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I think Roy Mottram's SP8, tube phono and line stage preamp WITH tube power supply, for $720 would be well worth considering!
Hi everyone,
In these uncertain times, I'm looking for a quality affordable phono preamp... Buying used is an option. Sooo what would you recommend? Go!
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Look at the Hagerman Cornet II or III great tube sound
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Honestly, if you're looking on the tube side of things the Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 is pretty solid. Swap those tubes for some Gold Lions and do a happy dance. Clear vivid sound with a wallop of intensity and big soundstage. And to boot you'd be $500 all in with tubes and a much better sound than I gave it credit for prior to buying.
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Folks, since a phonostage was mentioned, just recently we launched a black little thing known as iPhono3, and there's an ongoing competition:
Who is up for the iPhono3 Black Label #NoiseFloorChallenge (http://'https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/noisefloorchallenge?__eep__=6&source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARC_19XdL9g2XZp3AhBevaIxV8hMzujyWgXt2xOXt7hqLhoPKbR5WsevREU7b-kQP_6Ij5TDWFWRNx2OoqFzvORwCUh1DrpPJoulqGLbpQn2b3yeL4a1R-Ish3T9Nui_Tgac1wNlb5jz_6u2RLwyE1fScFE-BeDRQ1qw2tHcde6F7-8_DvT0v76l2pnFNy0FqyH5wLcFrfJ-SWfoaLC4dzEurVVeWeRJC4jfp_WUDu1eBJy285XdCOJMj-JSYTYEXctgTtYmIL4W8X5Dg3VGqN1nHV6GBtnWqXIhSCrXhLTfCXNjPbna2NJlxnMzyTkwOcfzOBDJlyS4AGCDxzMZHLvY4g&__tn__=%2ANK-R')?
Have a chance to win a prestigious iFi audio PowerStation for taking part! Find out more and how to enter HERE! (http://'https://media.ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/theChallenge_iFI_iPhono3BlackLabel.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GJaJ1YEbvRDcKPcxTrdH6CdT34oqTC_cICPeY1z54DcXrepQsQBDJxc0')
Entries close 31st July!
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VISTA, right here on AC. KABOOM for the buck period. Not a dealer for Vista.
charles
I'll second this recommendation. I have had a Vista mk2 I've held on to over the years and all but forgotten about until quarentine when I needed something to get a second system going (kids took over my preferred space).
This little sucker is very capable and a lot more enjoyable than the price would imply.
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Lounge 3 by a wide margin at that price point (among those I tried)...and that was the original version. They now have two upgrade levels above the basic model (they did not offer them when I bought mine), which I have no personal experience with. But the basic package is, dollar for dollar, as good a buy as I've made in this hobby. YMMV, of course, but I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
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Vista Audio. I have a Mark I for moving magnet. Nothing comes close for the price. I have a highly modified Rogue that runs circles around it. For 5 times the cost. I really need to sell this one. I hate to see it gathering dust.
Vista is very reasonable new. When you can find them used, they are a steal. They are not "pretty". They do not look impressive. But they are brilliant engineering. To give you an idea, the Mark 1 has no adjustments whatsoever. It came from the factory either as MM or MC. No LED. It has an on-off switch and connections. Period. http://www.vista-audio.com/
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I really like my Pro-Ject Phono Box RS. I’ve previously owned a Lounge Audio LCR MkIII, PS Audio GCPH and a Grado PH-1 before that. I think the Phono Box RS is the best I have heard in my system.
Martin
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A friend of mine loaned me his Lounge Audio LCR MKiii Silver edition and it sounded very good but the AVA is smoother. If I were to go with the lounge, I might opt for the gold version.