Vinyl Asylum

Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

Return to Vinyl Asylum


Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,

74.214.41.63

Posted on November 24, 2015 at 05:08:34
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
Now, this is a budget phono preamp I could, and likely will, live with for the foreseeable future.

I am very familiar with various 6922/6DJ8 based phono stages, having owned two Audible Illusions Modulus 3 preamps (still have one) and a Music reference RM-5 preamp. I have/had EH 6922s in both Mod 3s (the RM-5 used Ram Labs 6DJ8s) and the EHs are the tubes Shannon Parks includes with the Budgie.

This preamp offers a feature I've not seen in many MM preamps, that being user adjustable resistive loading. While many MMs/HOMCs are happy at the standard 47K Ohms loading, some like a different setting. The Budgie offers 15 settings via DiP switches on the top plate. There is a 6.4K setting for HOMCs (Dynavectors?), for instance.

I have e-mailed back and forth several times with Shannon, both pre and post sale and have found him very friendly and helpful answering my questions.

Shannon personally tests each unit and includes a tests result sheet with each Budgie.

Out of the gate, I left the stock EH tubes in place and later switched to a pair of JJ 6922s. I spun my usual 4-5 LPs each night for several nights. The first cartridge I used was the Nagaoka MP-150. Later, the CineMag SUT was inserted ahead of the Budgie and a Uwe ebony body SS retipped Denon DL-103 was installed.

With the stock EH tubes, the sound was open, transparent and well extended, top and bottom. Soundstage was wide and deep. No complaints with the EHs, but I heard the JJs are a richer sounding 6922, a sound I came to thoroughly enjoy during my years with the EAR 834P phono preamp.

So out with the EHs and in with the JJs. Sure enough, the almost organic midrange quality of the 834P was there in spades. The bass was not as tight, nor the treble as shimmering as the EHs, however. I think I'll stick with the EHs for the present.

Shannon suggested Amperex 6DJ8s (globe logo) for serious consideration so I'm looking for a low noise pair of those.

Anyone looking for a seriously good MM/HOMC phono preamp under $1K will miss out if they do not consider the Parks Audio Budgie. It's a remarkable piece of kit.









Opus 33 1/3

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 06:13:11
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005



Nice review Henry. Did you use bath carts. with the JJ tubes? Did they take on the same sound characteristics with the JJ's?

 

Pretty much, yes. The JJs just have a warmer, more classic, tube sound., posted on November 24, 2015 at 06:41:36
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
I'm going to give the EHs some more time. I liked them in my Mod 3. But still searching for a pair of Amperex 6DJ8 (globe logo).





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 07:10:40
jupiterboy
Audiophile

Posts: 727
Location: Western New York
Joined: June 7, 2009
So, if I recall, he uses negative feedback in this design. Any diminishment of soundstage or harmonic distortion?

 

Nope. Soundstage was wide and deep. Imaging was precise. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 07:12:43
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014





Opus 33 1/3

 

I love my Budgie. . . , posted on November 24, 2015 at 08:01:38
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005
with the Budgie SUT and a Dyna XX2MkII is a very musical, very dynamic combination. Agree completely with your assessment of the tubes. I haven't tried the Amperex yet, can't find a set, haven't looked really hard though.


Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

I'd kill for an XX2. Well, almost. I do have a 20XL. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 08:13:34
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014





Opus 33 1/3

 

It was a definite splurge . . . ., posted on November 24, 2015 at 10:20:23
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005
I had been limiting myself to <$800.00 cartridges but the price on this was so good I couldn't pass it up. Glad I didn't too. Far and away the best cartridge I've ever owned.




Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

I was lucky to get my 20XL when it retailed for $650. It's $300 more now. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 10:22:32
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: I was lucky to get my 20XL when it retailed for $650. It's $300 more now. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 11:08:03
rrob
Audiophile

Posts: 762
Location: Kansas
Joined: February 7, 2010
Were any changes made to the 20XL when the price was increased?

 

Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 11:20:32
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
cantilever and threaded bolt holes as the current model. Same specs, too.





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 11:33:30
rrob
Audiophile

Posts: 762
Location: Kansas
Joined: February 7, 2010
It was a significant increase in price. I never understood the justification. Thanks.

 

Neither did I. Thankful for SoundSmith. Mine heads that way soon. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 11:58:43
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014





Opus 33 1/3

 

Retail on the XX2 is still the same . . . , posted on November 24, 2015 at 12:19:07
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005
though who pays retail?


Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

Excellent review, posted on November 24, 2015 at 13:56:49
Gary
Audiophile

Posts: 1289
Location: New York, NY
Joined: April 21, 2000
Do you prefer it to the EAR 834P?

 

RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 14:31:24
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
For the same reason a dog licks his ...

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 14:39:28
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2442
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
If you are looking for a classic warm tube sound you should get a pair of GE 6DJ8's. I think you would really like that tube.

 

Probably too soon to tell. The Budgie might be close if I find the right tube. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 14:51:06
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: Probably too soon to tell. The Budgie might be close if I find the right tube. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 15:35:04
Gary
Audiophile

Posts: 1289
Location: New York, NY
Joined: April 21, 2000
Yep. I'd find it very difficult to part company with my 834P but I was intrigued by the inclusion of variable loading for HOMC carts like my Dyna 20X HO. Anyway, sounds like you've made a great choice.

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 16:48:16
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
This just makes me wonder, there a lot of phono preamps out there. There is only so much you can do with designing these. Excepting for the megabuck phono preamps how do they all sound different?

 

A hundred different ways, design, parts quality. Lotsa ways. /nt\, posted on November 24, 2015 at 17:26:57
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on November 24, 2015 at 19:36:45
BPoletti
Audiophile

Posts: 931
Location: Midwest
Joined: October 3, 2010
Why is it that you feel so uncomfortable with my posts? Do you feel somehow that I am being critical of you and you can't stand anyone questioning you?

You should get some help in understanding the difference between a question, a disagreement and a personal attack.

 

RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus,, posted on November 25, 2015 at 04:09:58
rrob
Audiophile

Posts: 762
Location: Kansas
Joined: February 7, 2010
because he can?

 

RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus,, posted on November 25, 2015 at 04:42:13
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
Hell, if I could, I'd never leave the house.





Opus 33 1/3

 

Love mine! I have tried a pair of the EI PCC88 and...t, posted on November 26, 2015 at 09:58:20
popsy
Audiophile

Posts: 2713
Location: oregon
Joined: March 4, 2007
the Brimar 6DJ8's along with the EH's and can say I prefer the Brimar's. tis nice that Shannon now calls the PNW home also :)

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on November 26, 2015 at 14:21:00
PaulF70
Audiophile

Posts: 1386
Location: Midwest
Joined: June 30, 2006
So does Shindo, in what many consider to be the best phono preamps money can buy. Few absolutes in this game.

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on December 6, 2015 at 14:35:37
risabet
Audiophile

Posts: 3197
Location: SoCal
Joined: January 10, 2005



Tried this tube and like it so far. Nice top end and the midbass is to die for. No final decisions yet but nice so far.


Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Adam Smith

 

RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp,, posted on December 7, 2015 at 14:04:04
plastico
Audiophile

Posts: 40
Location: ontario canada
Joined: February 1, 2014
I just got my Budgie 1254 SUT. It is paired with my ARC SP9/6DJ8 smooth plate Telefunkens. My SS retipped Denon DL-S1 sounds pretty darn good. I am sure that this SUT still has to break in, no?
Cheers, Doug

 

Page processed in 0.037 seconds.