[treytexag]

I don’t know anything about turntables.  My Dad’s tuner just crapped out, so we bought him an inexpensive Sherwood 2 channel amp – but alas, it does not have a phono input.  He has a Technics SL-BD20 that he play’s vinyl on, and I’m pretty sure he needs a phono preamp to get the SL-BD20 to a line-level input.  I don’t know what kind of cartridge is on the Technics SL-BD20 – don’t know if it is a MM or a MC.   

I need an inexpensive phono preamp for the Technics SL-BD20 to the Sherwood amp.  If I don’t know whether it is a MM or MC cartridge, can I still choose a preamp or do I need to know MM or MC before choosing?  What would be a good inexpensive phono preamp for a Technics SL-BD20 to a Sherwood?   

Please help a TT noob.  Thanks a lot.

[jsaliga]

http://www.phonopreamps.com/TC-760LCpp.html

$73, it works with MM and MC carts and has a variable gain control.  I use one with a Technics SL1200 in a setup to do digital transcription from vinyl records and I am very happy with its performance.

--Jerome

[ltr317]

I second Jerome's recommendation.  It's very good for the money.

[Wayner]

Hey, good job Jerome and thanks for the second, Paul (nice avatar)! I have a friend that I talked to yesterday that is looking for a cheap phono preamp.

Wayner 

[treytexag]

Thank you men for the input - I really appreciate it.  I checked out your recommendation, looks like it will fit the bill.

Anybody know anything about the Art DJ Pre II phono preamp? 

http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=90&cat=13&id=109

Would the Art work, or should I go for the extra twenty five bucks on the TC760?  Please advise, and again, sure appreciate the advice!!

[TheChairGuy]

The ART Deejay Pre II is probably a good bet...loads of DJ's use them and they are reliable.

Over time you can buy two of them and have fully independent phono preamplification paths running...a BOON for really good phono playback 

At under $100 for two, I know of no better deal out there.

The TCC preamp is likely a good deal....but, I doubt you'd put a low output moving coil on an ordinary Technics belt drive deck.  You'd likely stick with a cheap n' cheerful moving magnet cartridge....handled with aplomb on the ART DeeJay.

Enjoy, whatever your choice.... John 

[srb]

I assume your Technics SL-BD20 has a MM cartridge.  I have a friend who has a secondary system with a Pioneer PL-71 with a $40 Ortofon MM cartridge and a Yamaha entry level receiver.
 
He is quite satisfied with the $20 Behringer PP400 phono preamp and feels that anything more would be money wasted on that particular system.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=248-6348
 
Of course, depending on the cartridge in the Technics and any further upgrades to the system, a better phono preamp may be a smarter choice.
 
Steve

[Wayner]

Not recommending this one, but just presenting to the OP all of his options is the Radio Shack phono preamp for $30. I don't see a ground screw, but they just show the top view of the unit. Some people liked it, others hated it.  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2573420

Wayner