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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
Edits: 11/24/15 11/24/15 11/24/15 11/24/15 11/24/15
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Topic - First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - Opus 33 1/3 05:08:34 11/24/15 (27)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - risabet 14:35:37 12/06/15 (1)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - plastico 14:04:04 12/07/15 (0)
- Love mine! I have tried a pair of the EI PCC88 and...t - popsy 09:58:20 11/26/15 (0)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - BPoletti 19:36:45 11/24/15 (0)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - AudioSoul 16:48:16 11/24/15 (1)
- A hundred different ways, design, parts quality. Lotsa ways. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 17:26:57 11/24/15 (0)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - BCR 14:39:28 11/24/15 (0)
- Excellent review - Gary 13:56:49 11/24/15 (2)
- Probably too soon to tell. The Budgie might be close if I find the right tube. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 14:51:06 11/24/15 (1)
- RE: Probably too soon to tell. The Budgie might be close if I find the right tube. /nt\ - Gary 15:35:04 11/24/15 (0)
- I love my Budgie. . . - risabet 08:01:38 11/24/15 (11)
- I'd kill for an XX2. Well, almost. I do have a 20XL. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 08:13:34 11/24/15 (10)
- It was a definite splurge . . . . - risabet 10:20:23 11/24/15 (9)
- I was lucky to get my 20XL when it retailed for $650. It's $300 more now. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 10:22:32 11/24/15 (8)
- Retail on the XX2 is still the same . . . - risabet 12:19:07 11/24/15 (0)
- RE: I was lucky to get my 20XL when it retailed for $650. It's $300 more now. /nt\ - rrob 11:08:03 11/24/15 (6)
- Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus, - Opus 33 1/3 11:20:32 11/24/15 (5)
- RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus, - rrob 11:33:30 11/24/15 (4)
- RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus, - Crazy Dave 14:31:24 11/24/15 (2)
- RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus, - rrob 04:09:58 11/25/15 (1)
- RE: Slightly different body shape, but that's about it. My XL has the same stylus, - Opus 33 1/3 04:42:13 11/25/15 (0)
- Neither did I. Thankful for SoundSmith. Mine heads that way soon. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 11:58:43 11/24/15 (0)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - jupiterboy 07:10:40 11/24/15 (2)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - PaulF70 14:21:00 11/26/15 (0)
- Nope. Soundstage was wide and deep. Imaging was precise. /nt\ - Opus 33 1/3 07:12:43 11/24/15 (0)
- RE: First impressions Parks Audio Budgie MM phono preamp, - AudioSoul 06:13:11 11/24/15 (1)
- Pretty much, yes. The JJs just have a warmer, more classic, tube sound. - Opus 33 1/3 06:41:36 11/24/15 (0)