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Just bought a used VPI Scoutmaster w/a Dynavector 20X low output cart. Looking for phono preamp recs under 1K, used is fine. I love the liveliness and immediacy I often hear with tubes, so am leaning in that direction if I can find something suitable. Tubes with balls is how I'd describe my ideal sound. Ideas appreciated.
After buying and selling many phonosections, I finally ended uo with a Jolida JD-9 and an Eastern Electric Minimax. The Jolida is very flexible and has tremendous gain figures. I also settled on the Sovtek 12AX7LPS for the tube buffers. The actual amplification is accomplished by opamps but the tube buffering does help to smooth out the sound. At the price level I don't think any other phono pre can touch it.The Eastern Electric at a considerably higher price is much more refined sounding phono section. It sets the standard in phonos under $1500. It does not however have enough gain @ 57 dD for very low output cartridges. My wood bodied Benz Micro Ruby 3H cartridge @ .66 mV is a terrific match. I wouldn't recommend lower than .4 or .5 mV output cartridges with it. The Eastern electric might be found used for a price that would fit your budgetHaving written all this, I would highly recommend both phonos and they are both very well built. I have had no repair issues w/either of them.
I'm aware the Jolida is a hybrid including high quality op amp gain stages. But, given the amount of gain this thing has, I'd have a hard time believing the tubes aren't also a gain stage. Also, the tubes are 12AX7 dual triodes. I believe only one 12AX7 would be required for a buffer stage as in the Bellari unit.
Quote from: royphil345 on 2 Nov 2008, 03:52 pmI'm aware the Jolida is a hybrid including high quality op amp gain stages. But, given the amount of gain this thing has, I'd have a hard time believing the tubes aren't also a gain stage. Also, the tubes are 12AX7 dual triodes. I believe only one 12AX7 would be required for a buffer stage as in the Bellari unit.stand-alone tube buffers can run one tube or two, depends on the design - i have both. and, the gain of each is only 1db... so it's extremely possible the jolida's tubes are buffer only... of course, it would be easy enough to ask jolida about it... doug s.
Quote from: doug s. on 2 Nov 2008, 05:21 pmQuote from: royphil345 on 2 Nov 2008, 03:52 pmI'm aware the Jolida is a hybrid including high quality op amp gain stages. But, given the amount of gain this thing has, I'd have a hard time believing the tubes aren't also a gain stage. Also, the tubes are 12AX7 dual triodes. I believe only one 12AX7 would be required for a buffer stage as in the Bellari unit.stand-alone tube buffers can run one tube or two, depends on the design - i have both. and, the gain of each is only 1db... so it's extremely possible the jolida's tubes are buffer only... of course, it would be easy enough to ask jolida about it... doug s.95 dB of gain with a 100 dB SNR? I'd put my money on more gain stages than average... http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd9a.shtml
Thanks for the recs. -- I'll look into the Jolida and Bel Canto. What is it you like so much about the Bel Canto -- not much info out there. The Jolida may be right up my alley as I'm just getting back into vinyl and don't want to spend too much yet, but am leaning towards tubes. Need to see how much use the TT will get before investing any heavier. And there aren't to many tube choices out there below 1K that look attractive.It's as though a veil was lifted from my turntable. The sound is fuller, more detailed, more pleasant, and rivals CD playback. Until I got the Bel Canto, I always considered vinyl to be an inferior playback medium. After the Bel Canto, I started buying LPs again. Completely changed my attitude toward vinyl playback. Also, the Bel Canto has adjustable resistive and capacitive loading to better mate with your cartridge. It works fantastic with my Grado cartridge.
Quote from: royphil345 on 2 Nov 2008, 07:10 pmQuote from: doug s. on 2 Nov 2008, 05:21 pmQuote from: royphil345 on 2 Nov 2008, 03:52 pmI'm aware the Jolida is a hybrid including high quality op amp gain stages. But, given the amount of gain this thing has, I'd have a hard time believing the tubes aren't also a gain stage. Also, the tubes are 12AX7 dual triodes. I believe only one 12AX7 would be required for a buffer stage as in the Bellari unit.stand-alone tube buffers can run one tube or two, depends on the design - i have both. and, the gain of each is only 1db... so it's extremely possible the jolida's tubes are buffer only... of course, it would be easy enough to ask jolida about it... doug s.95 dB of gain with a 100 dB SNR? I'd put my money on more gain stages than average... http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd9a.shtmli checked jolida's site - no clue as to where the gain is coming from. as i said, only way to know for sure is to ask 'em directly.doug s.
here's a thread from another forum regarding the Jolida/gainhttp://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61759&highlight=jolida+phono
Not even sure why anyone would post a link to that confusing thread,
Just got off the phone with Walter at underwood hifi...he has tested the Jolida and found the gains to be 40, 55, and 70. He also said he tried to have a conversation with Michael Allen about it and it was like talking to the wall. Allen is convinced it's 95 db and won't change his statement.
However, the gain on a phono stage is of particular importance to insure the right voltage range for a particular system, and botching that number is a pretty big problem.
