[man630]

Hello
 I need to know which will provide the Best Sound from my Analog Records. I'm about ready to either buy the Cinemag SUT  3440A or  3440AH or a Audio Vista MKII Phono Pre.   After many hours of research the Cinemag SUT is said provide excellent results with the Denon 103. SUT with a tube phono stage is also supposed to be a good combo.  Then I read some reviews on the Audio Vista MK II Phono Pre. Nothing competes with it for the price and it beat Lots of higher priced choices. I've also emailed Boris at Audio Vista and he's answered all my questions in a timely manner. The fact that he also donates a small portion of his sales to AC is a big plus. I've also researched the Hagerman Piccolo, it also has some nice reviews but I'm not sure how it compares to the AV or the Cinemag.  All 3 choices are  pretty close in cost. DIY Cinemag lowest,  New AV 2nd and a  New Piccolo 3rd. (used about the same as the AV).

Turntable: Lenco L75  Custom Plinth/Sumiko MMT arm

Any advise or first hand knowledge  appreciated.

Thank
Randy

[galyons]

The Piccolo is plug 'n' play, very flexible and dead quiet.  The Cinemag SUT's will need some fine tuning for system capability and low noise.  I have used in my system the Cinemag Blue 1134 and 3340A, the Piccolo and Hashimoto HC3.  All very good, when properly built and system matched.  I sold the 1134, the 3340A, Piccolo and Hashimoto get regular play.  The Piccolo is currently deployed as a tape head amp for my Otari MX5050MIII, which shows its flexibility.

The  Audio Vista MKII Phono Pre is a complete phono stage?  So not really an "apples to apples" comparison to pre-pre step up devices.. Based on the size and description, it would appear to be an op-amp based unit. Take a look at the Hagerman Bugle 2 for a more direct comparison.  I have one in kit form waiting to be built.  I previously had the original Bugle, again a very good solid state phono pre, especially at the price point.  I added about $20 in upgraded  resistors and caps and it was truly a "giant killer"  Hagerman's Bugle power supply is very good, handily beating any wall wart alternatives.

Cheers,
Geary

[man630]

Geary

Thanks for the reply.

 You"re right about the 3 units not being a fair comparison.  My main goal is to get the best sound coming out of a phono preamp section. Whatever combo works the best, Step Up Amp vs SUT (to PV5 phono) or a complete phono preamp to the line stage .  I've had the PV5 for many years and back in the day it was rated as having a great phono stage but I'm just wondering if if it can still compete with all the new phono preamps available.  Basically would a Bugle 2 into the PV5  line stage smoke the SUT or Piccolo into the PV5 phono  I'm also open to any suggestions regarding a good Bang for the buck newer/different design preamp (line stage only) to mate with a Bugle 2? Basically is the CJ PV5 worthy of messing with or should I look for something else for Better Sound?

Thanks
Randy

[galyons]

Randy,
The PV5 is a fine preamp. It really depends on what you like.  I am a tube guy and prefer the mid range warmth of a tube phono & tube preamp/line stage.   Yes there are more "modern" sounding pre's available, but, IMO, most newish commercial preamps are overly regulated and sound more solid state than tubes.  If you want thinner, more detailed sounding sonics a modern pre will give you that.   So take my comments with a nod to my bias.


I have recapped/modded a couple of CJ pre's.  (I repair and mod  Golden Tube Audio equipment and build/repair DHT SET's).  I have heard several CJ preamps in my system and they are damn fine kit.  If you like tubes!!!  The PV5 is over 25 years old, (but then again my current amps are SET running 45 tubes from 1937.)   The CJ build quality is very good and the design is solid.  I would look at "updating" the PV5 and adding a pre-pre for MC carts.

Updating coupling and output caps will likely yield improved sonics and reliability.   You can do metallized polyprop, with or without oil, or full on paper in oil caps to get the sound to your liking.  The electrolytic caps in the PS should be updated as well.  (Modern electrolytic caps are far better than those made in 80's and the old caps really only have a 10-15 year life span. 

The PV5 will easily do MM and HOMC;s, but you need more gain for MC's.  The Cinemag's or the Piccolo would serve that purpose well.

Just my thoughts!

Regards,
Geary