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I am looking for a new phono preamp as my Yaqin MS-23 has died. I am looking for something in the $500 dollar range. I am aware of the Budgie and the Lounge. Can you guys give me some more recomendations in that price range? Oh, and I need solid state and if possible MC capabilities. I know its a lot to ask for for $500.....
Follow Ups:
A lot less than $500, with the standard-supplied SMPS. Then, later, you can upgrade with a good battery or LPSU, for better sound.
Andy
I like my Graham Slee Fanfare Amp 3 with the PSU-1 power supply. Very quiet and extremely neutral. I got both units at bargain prices below MSRP (one was B-stock and the other was a return unit).
Good luck & Happy Listening!
DeeCee
Ya, there are a lot of great phono preamps out there these days. I'm glad you are enjoying yours....
Muffsy PP3. It is not difficult to build.
https://www.muffsy.com
This is what I use... Although it is over your budget...
But, it does allow for easy gain and loading changes "on the fly"
Cheers
Welly
He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife.
- Douglas Adams
Here is a new review of the Vision phono preamp from Audio by Van Alstine. If I was in the market, it would be my choice. The reviewer even preferred over a tube preamp. Anyone here have one?
I did look at the AVA Vision, but you have to remove the cover to change settings. I didn't like this because I have multiple cartridges and need to change. The Lounge Audio LCR had overwhelmingly great reviews I decided on the that one and the Copla stepup...
Works great with a Dynavector DV20x2L.
___
"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
There is one for sale on the Audio Asylum Trader that I looked at. It has a volume control. I already have a volume control on my amp and preamp. I don't need another one. Besides the PS Audio is an older design and is not current with the newer technology today...
I am referring to higher quality IC's for audio use....
After researching phono preamps ALL day. I decided on the Lounge Audio LCR mk III phono stage and Copla step up. There were just so many reviews out there that praised the LCR that I felt I had to try one. And wanting MC capability I needed the Copla to compliment the LCR. Evaluating these will be difficult because I am getting new Tekton Lore speakers soon so both have to break in before I can be sure how each one sounds. I have heard reports that the Lores can take up to 200 hours to fully break in...
I highly recommend the iFi iPhono 2. It has both MM & MC capabilities with all of the adjustment capabilities you could want. And it's very small.
Price is $499 from Music Direct.
It also got a strong endorsement from Stereophile's and Analog Planet's Michael Fremer.
Did quick review of all the recommended ones in this thread. Did you decide? I actually met Rob Morin once, and he has responded to my query. I don't need a Copla.
If you guys want to hear the set up, he'll be at that LA audio show.
I have not made a decision yet. I'm just starting on this quest. Thank you for the suggestion....
Fantastic flexibility, German engineering and sounds better than it has a right to at its cost.
"Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."
It's simply the best under $500 phono preamp with LOMC capability I've heard. And it's only $129. Spend the rest on rekkids!
Stereophile review of Schiit Mani:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-6
Opus 33 1/3
Edits: 05/30/17
Opus33,
I know the Mani is better than my cheap Behringer PP400 phono preamp, but will it make the noticeable difference I'm looking for in this situation.
After not having a turntable for years I bought demo Thorens TD203 w/ Ortofon 2m Blue > Behringer PP400 phono pre ($20) > Mystere A11 EL34 tube integrated amp > Seas Froy Mk3 speakers.
I'm disappointed because the sound is thin and highs are shrill. My Rotel tuner sounds better in many respects. Will the Mani add needed body and detail w/ an even handed sound?
As a much more experienced audiophile, what have you compared the Mani to and how does it hold up.
Mike
These Schiit people really know their ...uh, worn-out jokes. I just have their tiny headphone amp "Magni." Listening yesterday I concluded I could live happily with my TT, Preamp, the Magni, and my Sennheisers. Very clean detailed sound, 100% music, revealing ever tiny color of the source. These guys know what music sounds like. Best $50 I ever spent (at a cruddy hock-shop in Hollywood, no less!)
Edits: 05/30/17
I am very happy with the Mani. It is replacing the broken phono stage in my Melos 333 and sounds great with moving coils, at least mine. I haven't gotten around to fixing the Melos as the Mani is so good.
Roy
Have you tried yours with MC cartridges? I read a review where this is the area where it is lacking. Your opinion please....
20XL and it sounds terrific. The only downside is the single 47 Ohm loading option. It's fine for the Dyna, but not so much for my DL-103s which work best with 400-500 Ohm loading.
Opus 33 1/3
I am going to use a DL-103. On another note, I have been poking around looking at other options. I came across another thread regarding the AVA Vision phono preamp which seems to meet my needs perfectly. You had made a comment that this would meet your needs. Why didn't you buy it? What made you decide on another (or several other) hehe, phono preamps
Years ago, I had and enjoyed a musical surroundings Phonomena II phono preamp. It sounded great plus was the most flexible pre I had ever owned with a myriads of gain/loading settings via switches on the back. I foolishly sold it and have regretted that ever since. Today i ordered a new Phonomena II +. Got a great deal on it. In fact, IIRC, I used my first 20XL with that pre, so I know what to expect.
Opus 33 1/3
Where did you buy yours?
Opus 33 1/3
The Emotiva. It drives my MC-20 with ease and is dead quiet.
-Wendell
I compared the XPS-1 with my Mani and preferred the Schiit. The only plus for the Emotiva was the LOMC loading options.
Opus 33 1/3
Haven't heard the Mani. Very impressed with the Emotiva.
-Wendell
Opus 33 1/3
Opus 33 1/3
How about this one!
It looks really interesting and works for my requirements. If nothing else the review alleviated my concern about op amps....
They updated this model back in January with new op amps and it is significantly quieter, not that the original wasn't quite. Another preamp you should seriously consider is the Vista Audio phono 2. It's $399 and has great reviews.
This would be perfect:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/phono-ps-audio-gcph-phono-preamplifier-2017-05-29-preamplifiers-34787-winter-garden-fl
I have used one for the past 5 years. It punches WAY above its weight class.
(no affiliation with seller or PS Audio - just a happy customer)
I recommend a used Dynavector P75. I had one a few years ago in between owning two really expensive phone preamps (Basis Exclusive and Herron VTPH2) while moving and redoing my system and I enjoyed listening to it. And I listened a lot.... never felt there was something it didn't do well. Tried three others in that price range and the P75 was the clear winner for me.
I recently got an iphono2 and am pretty well gobsmacked. Many others have been too. And it is very flexible.
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