Tube Phono Pre

mca · « **on:** 25 Mar 2017, 05:02 pm »

Besides Decware and Rogue, who makes a good tube phono preamp with exposed tubes?

undertowogt1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Mar 2017, 06:58 pm »

If you want to go DIY you could look into a kit from Bottlehead. I made the REDUCTION PHONO AMP and it sounds very nice and was fun to build.

http://bottlehead.com/?product=reduction-phono-preamplifier-kit

Nick77 · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Mar 2017, 08:08 pm »

This pre has good reviews, I was wanting to purchase but went with a MC cart.

http://parksaudiollc.com/budgiepreamp.html

tubes4hifi · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Mar 2017, 10:11 pm »

VacuumTubeAudio (Tubes4HiFi) PH16-X

bacobits1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Mar 2017, 11:55 pm »

Eastern electric, Hagerman, Pro-ject, Allnic, Zesto?

mresseguie · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 12:52 am »

mca,

I have not heard this phono pre, but I very happily own Don's Model 2 (SP14) preamp.

http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20tube%20phono%20stage.html

londonbarn · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 01:15 am »

Transcendent Sound makes a VERY good phono stage...

sunnydaze · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 04:46 pm »

JuicyMusic Tercel. Been enjoying mine for years. No longer made, so only available used. If you see one in good shape, jump on it. It's great.

sunnydaze · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 04:50 pm »

Parks Budgie is silly good for it's very reasonable new price. Loaner from a local friend was in my system for awhile -- detailed, dimensional, dynamic, musical and dead quiet.

mca · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 06:54 pm »

Wow, a lot more choices than I thought. I should add that I am using a Pro-Ject Xtension 10 table with a Sumiko Blackbird hi output MC cartridge.

toddc2 · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 07:14 pm »

I had a Zesto Andros with Bugle Boy 12ax7's that were exposed. I am now sorry I sold it....currently using an ARC PH6 which sounds great, but the Zesto had some magic...

AvFan · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 Mar 2017, 11:31 pm »

Quote from: sunnydaze on 26 Mar 2017, 04:50 pm

Parks Budgie is silly good for it's very reasonable new price. Loaner from a local friend was in my system for awhile -- detailed, dimensional, dynamic, musical and dead quiet.

I put a matched pair of NOS Amperex 7308s in my Budgie and it went to a new level over the supplied EH 6922s.

jsm71 · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Mar 2017, 05:04 pm »

Quote from: mresseguie on 26 Mar 2017, 12:52 am

mca,

I have not heard this phono pre, but I very happily own Don's Model 2 (SP14) preamp.

http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20tube%20phono%20stage.html

I haven't gotten it yet, but I have Don's phono stage on order. I opted for a cherry wood case and metal top plate where the tubes will be exposed. I'm pretty excited based on reading everything I could up to this point. I'll no doubt report back here once I get a handle on its performance. I've been using my Cary SLP98P preamp with phono section up to this point. I have no doubt Don's will be a huge sound upgrade.

Don's product is based on Vacuum Tube Audio's PH-16 kit which has tons of positive feedback. Don is well documented for his efforts to improve existing circuitry with better parts and I frankly don't have the skills or interest to build VTA's kit myself. If you are a DIY guy, just get their kit.

roboss38 · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Mar 2017, 05:27 pm »

Quote from: toddc2 on 26 Mar 2017, 07:14 pm

I had a Zesto Andros with Bugle Boy 12ax7's that were exposed. I am now sorry I sold it....currently using an ARC PH6 which sounds great, but the Zesto had some magic...

I run my Andros with Mullard 12ax7's, and it's a sublime combo.

earwig · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Apr 2017, 11:00 am »

An old Counterpoint if you lucky enough to find a used one.

joegator81 · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Apr 2017, 12:05 pm »

I just recently acquired a used eastern electric minimax with 3 12ax7 tubes and one 6x4 rectifier. Rolling has been very rewarding so far. I've added nos rca blackplate triple mica 5751 tubes to the outside positions with great results. I contacted the importer, Morningstar audio, to confirm the lower gain in the 5751 wouldn't mess with the signal and was given the thumbs up. I really like this pre for, its $1500 new

twitch54 · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Apr 2017, 01:35 pm »

I continue to use and enjoy my Fosgate Signature phono pre. No longer in production, but I suspect you could find a nice used.

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/fosgate-signature-phonostage-preamplifier-fozgometer-azimuth-range-meter-tas-206/

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 May 2017, 04:50 pm »

Quote from: sunnydaze on 26 Mar 2017, 04:50 pm

Parks Budgie is silly good for it's very reasonable new price. Loaner from a local friend was in my system for awhile -- detailed, dimensional, dynamic, musical and dead quiet.

I have the same pre amp, however I have not upgraded the stock tubes

sunnydaze · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 May 2017, 05:46 pm »

Quote from: chgolatin2 on 11 May 2017, 04:50 pm

I have the same pre amp, however I have not upgraded the stock tubes

Sounded pretty darn good to me with the stock tubes!

Matter of fact, when I inserted some nice NOS Amperex PQ I actually preferred the stock sound.

Maybe a case of a circuit built around a specific tube?

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 May 2017, 09:33 pm »

Quote from: sunnydaze on 11 May 2017, 05:46 pm

Sounded pretty darn good to me with the stock tubes!

Matter of fact, when I inserted some nice NOS Amperex PQ I actually preferred the stock sound.

Maybe a case of a circuit built around a specific tube?

Sound is all subjective to each individual ear, so thats maybe the case