[Derockster]

Hi guys.just picked up a luxman pd121 turntable fitted with a Rb 300 tonearm and a Denon dl110 cartridge.Looking for recommendations on a phono preamp.All opinions greatly appretiated.
ps budget at around $500.00

[richidoo]

The Vista Audio Phono 1 is very good. $300. It is better than the Bellari tube phono preamp.

[binarylinguist]

I would highly recommend checking out the Cambridge Audio 640p.  It gets great reviews and compares very favorably to phono pres priced 2x and 3x more.  It is around $170.  I am using it with a Rega P3 w/ Denon DL160.

[Flashman]

Hi guys.just picked up a luxman pd121 turntable fitted with a Rb 300 tonearm and a Denon dl110 cartridge.Looking for recommendations on a phono preamp.All opinions greatly appretiated.
ps budget at around $500.00

See whether you can get a used Luxman LE109.  It might mate well with your Luxman TT.  I have one and love it.  Here's a string of notes http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=64095.0 from a Vinyl Circle discussion of the phono amp when I was considering its purchase.

[Dan Kolton]

Check out those available at dbsystemsaudio.com.  Skimpy website, but you can call David Hadaway.  He's very knowledgeable, and will be able to fix you up with an excellent pre-amp at a very reasonable price.

[toobluvr]

I echo Richidoo's sentiments.  The Vista Audio ACLE is absolutely killer for the money and I would be surprised if anything under $1500 beats it.  That's how good I think it is.

Go to the Vista Circle and see all the positive comments from actual owners.

[Derockster]

Wow guys,thanks for all the suggestions.I must say at this time I'll be lookig nat the Vista Audio.Once again guys many thanks

[AudioSoul]

   I second the db systems phono pre. I have not heard one myself but it gets high marks from those that have. It is suppose to be the quietest phono pre out there. Google it and see what you find. Only $ 190 bucks to. Comes in either MM or MC. I think Acoustic Sounds has them.....

[Dan Kolton]

Go directly to db systems if you decide to buy one.  David will set the load to whatever you need, or give you adjustability options.

[blakep]

I will third the DB Systems. And I've owned both the MM and MC versions (still have the MM version in a secondary system here).

Great value, easily customized by David Hadaway on ordering (I'd recommend having him do a basic subsonic filter if you do order) with respect to load, capacitance, gain, etc.

You'll have to spend a lot more to do significantly better.

A great product that flies under the radar because of its "direct from the manufacturer" sales.

[sanlanman]

Another worthy choice is the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II preamp. It is very flexible with adjustable settings. At $600.00 list its out of your price range some but this link gets a lot closer to your target budget.

http://www.gcaudio.com/cgi-bin/store/showProduct.cgi?id=521

[TheChairGuy]

Personally, dual mono (right back to dual power supplies if you can get 'em at your price level) is da' bomb for vinyl playback (all other things equal - which they never are )

Stereo separation is relatively poor with vinyl vs. digital technologies....anything one can do to preserve what little there is and your sonics will benefit.

Yes, I know there are many worthy phono preamps out there...but my broad-brushed preference is always a dual mono unit...preferably an all-in-one preamp with phono built in to reduce transmission lengths and obstacles for eeny-weeny millivoltages.

The old Superphon Dual Mono is one such animal....typically well under $300 when they can be found with two additional line inputs to boot   It has only a single power supply, however. 

The Musical Surroundings phono amp, as well as Pro-ject ones, are dual mono and probably have a decent leg up on competition at similar prices (if you must go via a standalone phono preamp)

John

[doug s.]

Another worthy choice is the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II preamp. It is very flexible with adjustable settings. At $600.00 list its out of your price range some but this link gets a lot closer to your target budget.

http://www.gcaudio.com/cgi-bin/store/showProduct.cgi?id=521

this unit must be a lot better than the original iteration then, which, ime was really mediocre - thank god audio adwisor has a 30 day return policy.     the built-in fono stage in my linn kairn was far better.  i'd be looking for a used jolida, or the a/c special audio-wista fono stage first...

ymmv,

doug s.

[lazydays]

Hi guys.just picked up a luxman pd121 turntable fitted with a Rb 300 tonearm and a Denon dl110 cartridge.Looking for recommendations on a phono preamp.All opinions greatly appretiated.
ps budget at around $500.00

Hard to beat the Wright Sound WP100 for under $500 (used). Very fluid and warm sounding with a lot of gain.
gary

[toobluvr]

Let me say upfront that I know it is unfair for me to directly compare the Vista phono to the other "budget" sub $1k units mentioned here, since I have not heard all of them.   But I am gonna go out on the limb (and feel safe in doing so) and say that I strongly suspect that that it will beat all of them.

Don't jump all over me guys.  Just my instincts based on all the gear I've heard over the years, and my general framework for what you get at various price points.

I own the Vista, and I also currently own two VG tubed units.  Over the years I have heard many other phono sections.  The Vista acquits itself very well against all, regardless of price, and it beats many of the higher priced units......even those costing multiples more.   

I have been listening to it for 2 months now and it is excellent.  It is so silly good at it's price that I will even confidently state that I would be shocked if anything up to $750 beats it.  I will also say I would be very surprised if anything up to $1200, maybe 1500,  beats it.

 

I have heard lots of audio gear and this is the rare bird that truely does offer staggeringly good value, and continues to satisfy even in the long term.

Check opinions of other members on here who own it.  They too have compared it to some heralded (and pricier) units, and think the Vista more than holds its own, it not being outright superior.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with whatever your choose!

 

[Thebiker]

I have and like the Jolida....very adaptable to MC & MM carts, easily upgradable with tube rolling and a little vibration dampening.  Sounds like it costs more that it does and makes me aa.

Walt