Preamp (with phono) under $2500

UncleStu · « **on:** 15 Sep 2005, 02:08 am »

I'm in need of a preamp that includes phono. I have a $2500 budget (even that is pushing it). I'm willing to buy new, used or DIY.

I have a ZYX R100H cartridge (0.48 mV output) and prefer a tube unit with a mc step-up transformer.

I currently own a EAR 834P, but it does not match well with the ZYX and it does not have inputs for other sources than phono.

What would you suggest?

Thanks!

Paul Ebert

kck · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 02:51 pm »

No phono (you did say prefer, not must-have)

Here is an ad I posted yesterday for a Blue Circle Galatea MkI. Extremely fine sound, and NOS tubes with it. Ask around about this; I won't say more. Well within your budget to where you can spring $500 or so on Agon for a dedicated phono preamp that betters most of the built-ins. Five inputs so plenty or room for that.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1131917990

JoshK · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 02:55 pm »

The BC preamp that kck suggests is an awesome preamp! Better than most all the preamps I have heard to date.

TriodeGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 03:36 pm »

I haven't listened to one personally, but the juicy music's blueberry seems to have a respectable following...

http://www.juicymusicaudio.com/blueberry.html

Do a google search and read some of the reviews out there.

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 03:40 pm »

I would suggest a good linestage phono pre and get a good phono preamp. The Eastern Electric Minimax line would be within your budget if you went that route.

I too have heard good things about the Blueberry.

Is vinyl your primary source? Do you need a remote?

-C

woodsyi · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 04:14 pm »

I would get this from Bill

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=21093

When Dan gets his phono section finished, you can send it to him to get the phono section (tube I assume) added and upgrade the power supply which, I understand, will be housed separately. Dan's SWL 9.0SE replaced my Von Gaylord LAD2 pre and I suspect his phono section will outperform Ear 834p as well as Art Audio Vinyl One, which are running 2 TTs for me at the moment. I also think moving the power supply out will improve the linestage further.

Sonny · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 04:19 pm »

I'd go with the Odyssey Tempest Extreme....
Here you get a Symphonic Line Phono Board and a very very wonderful Pre-amp for a great Price...
Call Klaus...

rosconey · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 09:09 pm »

i second the odyssey

djbnh · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 09:38 pm »

Quote from: Sonny

I'd go with the Odyssey Tempest Extreme....
Here you get a Symphonic Line Phono Board and a very very wonderful Pre-amp for a great Price...
Call Klaus...

Here's one for sale currently on A-Gon

I note I own an Odyssey Tempest with a 2nd set of outputs, and have nothing but praise for the unit. Haven't heard the Extreme version of the Tempest. FYI - you shouldn't have any problems with your cart and its output. I note I use a Denon DL-103R, its output is 0.25mv.

budyog · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 09:55 pm »

You should consider The "Audio By Van Alstine", Transcendence 7!

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_ec.htm

or the T7-SLR

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_sl.htm

Sonny · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 10:19 pm »

A follow up...on my posting...
I have the Tempest Extreme, its defining quiet and sounds wonderful with my cheap Dynavector10x4. I am using a VPI Scount with JMW-9 arm.
its more than I expect...
Sonny

UncleStu · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Sep 2005, 10:27 pm »

Thanks for the replies!

I'll check these out.

Vinyl is overwhelmingly my software of choice, so phono is essential. But, I am open to separates.

Remote is not a big factor.

Any more ideas?

Paul

213Cobra · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Sep 2005, 06:30 am »

Often overlooked by elitists but thoroughly excellent for your budget: The Sunfire Classic Vacuum Tube Preamp with option phono card. You can even get remote control.

Also, if you have sufficient input sensitivity in your power amp, your budget would easily cover a Django TVC (S&B option or for even less, amorphous transformer option) and any number of ~$1000 or less phono preamps. For instance, Django + Bel Canto Phono 1; Django + Audion Premier .5 phono tube preamp; Django + TriChord; etc., etc.

Phil

213Cobra · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Sep 2005, 06:33 am »

And you can add a Blackhead II transformer for the step up, inexpensively. This is a very good Tim deParavicini-designed xformer for cheap money. But some of the options I mentioned, like the Bel Canto and the Trichord have built-in gain options for moving coils directly.

Phil

lcrim · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Sep 2005, 06:21 pm »

While better known for a legendary 2A3 amp, there is another Wright that manufactures and sells line and phono stages. The company is Wright Sound and the url is http://www.wright-sound.com/
I have the WPL 11 Phono/Line stage but that is the entry level @ $900. There are more expensive models and there is also a step up transformer, the WMT10, for moving coil cartridges that is adjustable.
The industrial design is kind of "retro" to be kind but the phono section is very nice. I use it with a Decware Select and that amp is very revealing and the WPL11 more than holds up.. The tube complement is kind of esoteric so tube rolling is cheap.
A WPL20 phono/line stage, the more expensive model than I have plus a WMT10 step up tranny would run new less than $1700. Separate power supply module, no IEC for aftermarket PC's but a beautiful sounding unit.
I like mine very much. Fairly easy to deal with for a small manufacturer, not Wayne or Vinnie but decent.

morricab · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Sep 2005, 12:23 pm »

They are separate but the GG linestage (with 24 position stepped attenuator) is only a $620 kit and the phonostage is also $600. This should also have enough gain for your ZYX without a step up transformer. The sound is superb for the linestage and based on the design, I cannot imagine the phonostage sounding bad. The price is also right and will require about 1 weekend of your time to build them (they are easy to build).

boead · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Sep 2005, 12:17 am »

I have an Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence Seven SLR with the RIAA Phono Circuits and Buffered Tape options. I use spome choice Amperex BB (12AX7) for th ephono and Sylvania triple mica tubes (12AT7) for the pre. Its sounds absolutly great!! I use with with a Decware SET amp.
http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_sl.htm

AVA has a new Transcendence Eight out now.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=20096&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

beemer · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 02:20 am »

Find an audio Research SP-10 oer SP-11. Both are tubed, both have separate power supplies, both have excellent phono stages and last but not least....excellent sound. You should have enogh money left over to retube with some vintage tubes and man.....those records will sound great!

Best,

Paul

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Sep 2005, 04:05 am »

A used VAC Standard or Standard LE

http://www.vac-amps.com/stdltd.htm

andyr · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 12:13 am »

You could try the AKSA GK-1. This is available as a "retail" model (ie. fully made up) or as a kit. I built the kit. See here:
http://www.aksaonline.com/products/products_GK1.html

It's an ss/valve hybrid, has 4 line-level inputs and a MM phono stage. AKSA also have a fine head amp to use in front of the phono stage, if you have a low-output MC (as I do).

Even the retail product is within your budget; the kit certainly is.

Regards,

Andy