Holy Grail of less than or equal to $300 Phono preamps

tubeytubeamp · « **on:** 27 May 2005, 03:57 pm »

Ok guys,

I have a Music Hall MMF 5 turntable with a Parasound PPH100 phono preamp. The Parasound just doesn't cut it for me. The Music is two dimensional and lacks sparkle and air. Prior to the Parasound I was using an Antique Audio USA preamp that I sold due to financial reasons. The ASUSA was much better than the parasound.

My budget is $300 used or new, tube or solid state. I have a few components to sell first before I make my purchase.

So far the only Phono-preamp I'm considering is the Channel Island Audio.

Thanks
Dennis

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 May 2005, 04:00 pm »

Can you solder? I'd consider building the Cornet phono from Hagtech. Seems that lots of people rave about it and I am pretty sure it is atleast as good as the ASL phono. Should cost about $300 to build it yourself.

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 May 2005, 04:02 pm »

No soldering skills here. Is it a difficult kit?

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 May 2005, 04:07 pm »

Probably not the easiest kit. I haven't built one yet myself but have planned to.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 May 2005, 04:26 pm »

I sound like a broken record, because I make this recomendation every time someone posts about a budget phono pre, but this is an excellent budget phono pre. It is $399 new, but when they come up used they are usually about $250. They used to be $299 new, but they have a much nicer case now which is probably why the price went up.

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=GA2PP&Category_Code=PP">Gram Amp 2 SE

I have used this unit with an MMF-5 and MMF-7 and it worked great. I upgraded to a modified eAR 834p and upgraded my turntable as well, but I thought the Gramp Amp/MMF combo was very good.

Scott F. · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 May 2005, 04:36 pm »

Quote from: jcoat007

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=GA2PP&Category_Code=PP">Gram Amp 2 SE

Hear hear! I second the motion!!

The Slee gear is rediculously good for the money.

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 May 2005, 05:31 pm »

I too am a broken record but about the Hagerman Bugle. You could buy it completely assembled or in kit form... www.hagtech.com.

I preferred the Bugle over the CIA in a direct comparison. However, the Bugle was made to work well with my cartridge.

If you do not intend to change cartridges, I would use its output specs to help determine your next pre.

-C

rmihai0 · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 May 2005, 05:43 pm »

For $100 I would chose an old NAD 1130. Is just incredible. Look on EBay and you will find one. Then, take it to a technician and ask hin to change the capacitors. You will be hugely surprised.

Good luck

nature boy · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 May 2005, 09:52 pm »

Bump your budget and look for a used Dynavector P-75 on Audiogon. It's the best solid state phono preamp I have heard below $1k and I own one.

NB

jcoat007 · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 May 2005, 01:46 pm »

Quote from: nature boy

Bump your budget and look for a used Dynavector P-75 on Audiogon. It's the best solid state phono preamp I have heard below $1k and I own one.

NB

I hear the P-75 is especially good if you own a dynavector cartridge.

Carlman · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 May 2005, 02:31 pm »

Quote from: tubeytubeamp

Ok guys,

I have a Music Hall MMF 5 turntable with a Parasound PPH100 phono preamp. The Parasound just doesn't cut it for me. The Music is two dimensional and lacks sparkle and air. Prior to the Parasound I was using an Antique Audio USA preamp that I sold due to financial reasons. The ASUSA was much better than the parasound.

My budget is $300 used or new, tube or solid state. I have a few components to sell first before I make my purchase.

So far the only Phono-preamp I'm considering is the Channel Island Audio.

Thanks
Dennis

Are you using the Goldring 1012GX cartridge that came standard on this table? If so, I'd recommend a new cart in combination with the phono pre. Some of the problems you describe I experienced with the Goldring. However, I am in the minority for not liking Goldring's. I tried the upgraded 1042? as well... the highs were a bit unnatural to me, in my system.

I'm a big fan of moving coils. In fact, in going through cartridges, I learned I only like MC. If I did it over again, I'd get a low output MC and pair it with a phono pre that did low output MC well. One day I will buy the EE Minimax phono pre. Tubes + Coils = Long term satisfaction for Carlman.

merc · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 May 2005, 01:29 pm »

I am in much the same situation as you and I think I am gonna get an Antique Sound Labs Mini Phono II for around $250. It is a two box, tubed unit which uses a pair of 12ax7 tubes. I haven't heard it, but do have an ASL MG Head OTL headphone amp which I like alot. YMMV.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jun 2005, 08:31 pm »

I'm not sure if you ever did anything with your phono stage, but here is a Gram Amp 2 SE with the old style case and $250 cheaper than a new one.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1125072026

rmihai0 · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Jun 2005, 11:39 pm »

Williams Hart / John Linsley Hood phono stage.

www.williamshart.com

rmihai0 · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Jun 2005, 11:39 pm »

or NAD 1130 for $100

Enjoy

rbrb · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 07:20 pm »

I just picked up the Cambridge Audio 640P after auditioning the 540P. All I can say is awesome. It's hard to believe that a preamp this inexpensive can sound so good. I'm totally happy. I was using a Project SE and the CA blows it away. My table is a MMF-5