[volvic325]

Hello,
I have a VPI hw-19 MK iii but will also be purchasing a Well Tempered Turntable as well.  Rather than purchasing a switch box which I believe would degrade the signal I am seriously contemplating purchasing a preamp or integrated amp or even a phono preamp that can accomodate two turntables. Anybody know of any?   Comments would be welcome.
Nick

[Wayner]

Vintage or otherwise?

Wayner

[sunnydaze]

The Juicy Music Tercel is a standalone phono stage that has two inputs.  One can be configured for MC, or both can be MM.  I have one and it sounds excellent.   

Nice review here:

http://www.affordableaudio.org/JuicyTercel.pdf

[Charles Xavier]

The Juicy Music Tercel is a standalone phono stage that has two inputs.  One can be configured for MC, or both can be MM.  I have one and it sounds excellent.   

Nice review here:

http://www.affordableaudio.org/JuicyTercel.pdf

And you just missed it in the classifieds

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=99606.0

[dlaloum]

Harman Kardon HK990 integrated has two phono inputs....

[volvic325]

Wayner, it doesn't matter if it is vintage or not, I will seriously look at all suggestions.  I know TW Raven has one that can accommodate two if not more turntables but it's price is in excess of 5k and that I refuse to pay. 

[dlaloum]

The HK990 is a good/great sounding integrated... it is not a cheap amp though... ($2500?) I have heard the phono stages are good ... but have no personal experience.

At this kind of price, if you already have a decent amp, I would prefer two seperate phono stages...

And my choice would be phono stages with wide loading variability so I can tune the setup to the cartridge in use for best results...eg: JLTI Phono, Phonomena, Firestone Audio Korora

[TheChairGuy]

Vintage or otherwise?

Wayner

That was what I was going to ask...many of the vintage units from before the late 1980's had more than 1 Phono input.  Before there was a Digital Audio Disc, there was vinyl, and makers of electronics often offered more than 1 Phono input.

How 'vintage' might you be comfortable with?

Some offered a couple MM inputs, others offered an MC input (in addition sometimes, too)

Lastly, what price point would you want to spend?  The world of full function preamps or integrateds are large until you factor in cost 

I assume you are in the US??

[volvic325]

No idea about price point to be honest, I have heard lots of amplifiers at outlandish prices that don't offer that much in terms of inner detail sound staging than cheaper alternatives.  I recently dumped my Linn LK1 LK140 after comparing them to a Tandberg TR receiver....I preferred the receiver's phono to the Linn hands down.  Linn sounded dead, so I am open to vintage gear from the 60-70's but not any earlier than that.  I currently live in Canada but will be moving to Manhattan within the next few months. 

[volvic325]

Keep in mind I haven't purchased the second table yet so there is no rush.  I might even change my mind and go for something else other than a Well Tempered, have to see if they still support the older models. 

[Ericus Rex]

The slightly vintage Berning TF-10 (or was it the 12?) preamp had two phono inputs (or was it three?).  They are quite rare on the used market, however.

[volvic325]

Those are rare and I think the TF-10 was the one with 2 inputs.  I think one of the Audio Research preamps from the 80's had two inputs.  I suppose that should be the one to covet. 

[TheChairGuy]

No idea about price point to be honest, I have heard lots of amplifiers at outlandish prices that don't offer that much in terms of inner detail sound staging than cheaper alternatives.  I recently dumped my Linn LK1 LK140 after comparing them to a Tandberg TR receiver....I preferred the receiver's phono to the Linn hands down.  Linn sounded dead, so I am open to vintage gear from the 60-70's but not any earlier than that.  I currently live in Canada but will be moving to Manhattan within the next few months.

If your open to vintage....there's a TON of potentials out there. Many, if not all of the McIntosh's offered dual phono inputs....if your looking for great units.  I don't think they ever offered MC, only MM, however.

For new, your pickings are a little more limited as vinyl is now a fringe area. Audio by van Alstine (they have a long-standing, and very active, circle here at Audio Circle) can install more than one phono inputs on all of their preamps. Check it out: www.avahifi.com

Good luck on your search!

[Ericus Rex]

Those are rare and I think the TF-10 was the one with 2 inputs.  I think one of the Audio Research preamps from the 80's had two inputs.  I suppose that should be the one to covet.

There be one on ebay.  Seller says Hovland has overhauled it so price is good...if he's telling the truth.  Looks like 3 phono inputs.  Don't know if it'll handle lomc though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Berning-TF-10-Tube-Preamp-TF10-Preamplifier-/320762743165?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4aaef3097d#ht_2986wt_1345

[woodsyi]

Hello,
I have a VPI hw-19 MK iii but will also be purchasing a Well Tempered Turntable as well.  Rather than purchasing a switch box which I believe would degrade the signal I am seriously contemplating purchasing a preamp or integrated amp or even a phono preamp that can accomodate two turntables. Anybody know of any?   Comments would be welcome.
Nick

Nick,

Why do you want to run 2 tables?

I run 2 also and I do it to set each to play very differently (for different genres of music).  So, I run two different phono preamps, each mated to different cart/arm for one to be more detailed and the other to be more "euphonic."  I haven't found one neutral set up that will do everything well.  I mean you can set one to be middle of the road but it is a compromise on both ends.   

[neobop]

Hello,
I have a VPI hw-19 MK iii but will also be purchasing a Well Tempered Turntable as well.  Rather than purchasing a switch box which I believe would degrade the signal I am seriously contemplating purchasing a preamp or integrated amp or even a phono preamp that can accomodate two turntables. Anybody know of any?   Comments would be welcome.
Nick

Hi,
I think the line stage part of the preamp has to be considered in conjunction with your amplifier and speakers. That is, the performance you get with a particular combination. There are many vintage or even new preamps with a nice phono stage(es). High end ones tend to have 1 phono input that can sometimes be configured for a particular cart/gain. Most preamps also have an aux input that could eliminate the need for a switchbox with another stand alone phono. Many combinations of amp/preamp aren't ideal and some sound downright bad.

If you're looking at vintage, both MM and MC capability was the norm on mid-fi and many high end preamps and integrated, in the heyday. Tandberg made separates as well, but IMO anything you get has to be tried in combination with the rest. Was your Linn an integrated? Do you have an amplifier already? Do you really like the Tandberg or just prefer it to the Linn?
neo

[Quiet Earth]

No idea about price point to be honest

Just in case you decide to save up for something in the $5K range, I will recommend the Audio Valve Sunilda phono stage. I bought the Sunilda about 5 years ago not because it has two inputs, but because I thought that it sounded really good with the table and cart that I already owned. (I auditioned my table, cart, and phono stage at the same place, which really helped me sort things out.). I also believed that the Sunilda was something that I would never outgrow.  So far so good, and that's money well spent.

The Sunilda is very easy to use. There is a front panel switch for input 1 and 2. Each input has its own MM/MC gain switch plus two individual R and C loading switches that you can adjust on the fly. The four tubes are common 12AX7s and 6922s which are energized by a solid state power supply. The power supply transformers are housed in a separate aluminum box to keep the hum at a minimum.

Fremer describes it here : http://www.audiovalve.info/sunildausa09.pdf

and more technical info with pictures are here : http://www.audiovalve.info/sunilda/sunildaneu2.htm

Good luck in your quest. Now you have me thinking about setting up a second table! 

[Berndt]

Two input phono stage still uses a switch to select input, no?
Goldpoint selector for me, built into my SUT.