[smuttynose]

Seems most of the integrated amps (talking tubes, here) lack a phono imput. I am interested in a Jolida amp and want to be able to play my vinyl. Am I right that I need a separate phono amp and any recommendation on the low end price range? Thanks.

[jcoat007]

Yes, you need a seperate phono stage if your preamp does not already have one.  

Make sure you get one that can accomodate your cartridge (i.e. moving magnet or moving coil).

If you have an MM cart, this is a great phono peramp:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1119129327

For $199 you will be in business.

[WEEZ]

smuttynose,

What cartridge do you use?- and what is your budget?

have a look at kabusa.com for a relatively inexpensive phono amp.

jcoat007 has a point regarding used pre's if you can find one within your budget.

welcome to AC!

WEEZ

[Songforyou]

Noticed you said 'interested' in a jolida amp.  Do you have one or is the amp option open too?  I bought a vintage Scott integrated modified by Mapleshade.  I think they are $975.  It has a phono stage that they tweak.  I don't even think about amps any more.  I've added a VPI Scout to my system a couple of months ago and I don't think about digital much either.  In fact, I pretty much don't think at all any more (my wife can attest to that).  I just listen to music.

Cheers!

[doug s.]

dunno what your budget is, but i would recommend this:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1117477335


i use one (different color faceplate), & i am wery happy w/it, run into a tubed preamp.  tho i don't have huge experience w/spendy fono stages, i can tell you it absolutely smoked the (wery nice) fono stage built into my linn kairn preamp, which in turn absolutely smoked the musical surroundings phonemena fono stage i tried, when looking for an upgrade from the linn...  i think it's a good deal at the price; at list price, well as i said, i haven't much experience...

doug s.

[rmihai0]

I would strongly recommend a NAD 1130, take it and having it upgraded with Blacgates etc and it will be as good as anything under a grand.

[Carlman]

If you want to cut to the chase and buy what you'll keep for an indefinitely long time, I'd suggest the Eastern Electric Phonostage.

I've auditioned it and now none other will do.  I've played around with the cheap stuff, which will do nicely for a while... and may or may not match your cartridge output.. but nothing has completely floored me with the dynamics and soundstage of the EE.  Also, it can accomodate any kind of cartridge.  It's $1,500 but I think it's underpriced for what you get...

[JCC]

I recently purchased a Wright Sound WPP200C after reading a mini-review at Arthur Salvatore's High End Audio site (http://www.high-endaudio.com - see Recent Smaller Updates section). It just arrived and I havn't had an opportunity to hook it up. The price is good ($825) and it includes a volume control, which I need.

Also Stan Warren told me that he will probably be offering a phono stage for his new preamp.

JCC

[jcoat007]

In case you are still looking, here is another Gram Amp 2 SE.  For $180 you can't go wrong, and it will easily re-sell if you decide to upgrade.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1120514828

[Marbles]

I recently purchased a Wright Sound WPP200C after reading a mini-review at Arthur Salvatore's High End Audio site (http://www.high-endaudio.com - see Recent Smaller Updates section). It just arrived and I havn't had an opportunity to hook it up. The price is good ($825) and it includes a volume control, which I need.

Also Stan Warren told me that he will probably be offering a phono stage for his new preamp.

JCC

What did Stan say about HT bypass and remote volume control?