[Tailwind1]

Greetings everyone,
This is my first post and I'm interested in Op-amp phono preamps. As a scratch build or a purchase product I feel I would like to go this direction. I'd like to hear pros and cons on the idea.
Thanks,
Dave

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC Dave   

[Tailwind1]

Thank you Arthur,
I'm a builder, I built a couple sets of 300B monoblocks over the last 12 years. The reason for this post is to gain a better understanding of op-amps for use in preamps. I have been using a Boozhound Labs preamp for several years with very good results. It's developed problems over the last week and I retired it until I can test it out. This preamp is based on the Le Pacific phono preamp.
This gives the opportunity to look at new designs to buy or build. I've been a fan of Nelson Pass designs but would rather build or modify something if possible. This brings me to the Sparkos Labs op-amp chips. I'll stop there and see if anyone has a comment for me to move forward.

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome. I will move this topic to the Vinyl Circle.

[Tailwind1]

Thank you, still learning the ropes here!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If you are looking for the very best sounding phono preamps, do not limit yourself to those that only use op amps.  Look up the Wyn Plamer 4 DIY phono preamp.  It bested phono preamps in the $35K and up supposedly and measures extremely well.

This is supposed to be an excellent phono preamp

https://akitika.com/akitikastore.html#PR1024WAYS

Or this Pass Labs Pearl 3 phono preamp kit-

https://diyaudiostore.com/products/pearl-3-phono-preamplifier

The Pearl uses op amps.

Here is a tube preamp kit that is well respected-

https://www.tubes4hifi.com/PH16.htm

[1965]

Will 2nd the Palmer pre with a provision…..the Pyxi is optimized for MC use…..I hit the overload stops using MI. Muted trumpet can be hard to reproduce clean. I did get a chance to listen to the MM only version that Sota has not offered as yet and it was clean as a whistle.

[Tailwind1]

Thanks for the Tips! I.Greyhound you gave me some great ideas as I really enjoy building stuff. The Palmer amp is very interesting, hopefully others will reply as well. The Pearl 3 using an op-amp is of interest also, Id like to try the Sparkos products as they have had good reviews.
https://sparkoslabs.com/discrete-op-amps/

[galyons]

I can highly recommend the  PH16 phono preamp kit from Tubes 4 Hifi, https://www.tubes4hifi.com/PH16.htm.  Don Sachs builds his phono stage from this board. His products are highly praised on this forum. http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20tube%20phono%20stage.html.

I too, am a builder.  I built a bunch of Bottlehead kits including 300B Paramount monoblock amps, 300B BeePre line stage and Eros, both phono and tape stages.  I have still have Paramour 2A3's  and 45's, maxed out Foreplays in use in a 2nd system.  The PH16 bested the Eros in detail, lower background noise and dynamics.  The Eros is a bit warmer and fuller, which can be attributed to the lack of solid state devices in the signal path.  I built the PH16 with boutique components and it sounds just marvelous with my VPI TNT MkIV, super platter, JMW-12 3DR Tonearm Arm and Benz Micro LP cartridge.  The PH16 is MM so I step up the MC signal with Hashimoto SUT's.

Cheers,
Geary

[Tailwind1]

So many good ideas! I think I'm going to build the Pearl 3 kit as I want to play with different OP-amps.

[nlitworld]

Pearl3 looks like a fun easy build which is also more cost effective and gives you the basic parts design you're looking for. But if that doesn't strike your fancy, I'd also recommend the PH16. I built one a few years back, and it surpasses my friend's Parasound JC3 jr.

As to Sparkos opamps, I popped a set into a Douk amplifier and they were a major upgrade. Super open and clear sounding, but did make for a little less body to the sound. If your system needs a bit of that, check Burson V7 Classic.