Phono Pre-Amp?

Gulfstrings

Sunday morning is my favorite time to get out the vinyl and today is no different except it's the first time I've done so since installing the new NAD power amp.

No disappointment here, though there does seem to be a drop off in volume output as compared to a CD played at the same volume setting.

I know the NAD is doing its job so I have to wonder if the receiver (onkyo 707) is the bogey here and if so, will a phono pre-amp make a difference?

Looking at phono pre-amps in the past reminded me just how much $$ we can spend on this hobby. The two preliminary choices I selected to fit my budget and vinyl interest levels were the NAD PP-2 and the Cambridge 640.

Leader in the clubhouse at that time was the NAD, based on a couple on-line reviews I was able to uncover. Given my recent NAD amp addition, I'll likely stick with that brand, but could always use some guidance from the audio shamans.

1. Will a pre-amp make up for the perceived weakness I believe to be an issue with the receiver?

2. Are there other competitve pre-amps at this price point I may have missed?

Thanks,

Dave

george daniel

whats your budget?

quadzilla

Also, what cartridge and table do you have? The 640P seems to be well liked and is flexible.

Gulfstrings

george daniel wrote: »

whats your budget?

Less than $200 is my thinking. Not so much a "budget" as much as trying to place it at the proper interest level given the percentage of vinyl I play relative to CDs.

That both the NAD and Cambridge are within this dollar range has probably had as much to do with formimg a "budget" as anything..

I'm definitely open to (and value) all input.

Dave

Gulfstrings

quadzilla wrote: »

Also, what cartridge and table do you have? The 640P seems to be well liked and is flexible.

Yes, that's another factor in looking at the lower end of these offerings. My table is a Technics SL-1301 (circa 1978) with a Shure M97xE Magnetic.

Not likely to make a change here. Had the table since new, reconditioned a few years ago ... it's become like family.

Dave

quadzilla

You might also look at a Parasound zPhono. I had one before I upgraded and it was serviceable. The MM setting should be about right for that cartridge. In any case, if you plan on sticking with that cart, you don't need a phono stage with MC compatibility, but don't ignore one just because it does both MM and MC.

Phil Dawson

Another way you can go (I do this) is to use a good quality vintage pre-amp. Many of these have very god pre-amps built in and can give your system more flexibility with the added inputs. There is a Harmon Kardon Citation 21 in the flea market now for $125 (I think - not sure on the shipping). This unit (I own one) has a very nice sounding phono pre-amp that can be switched between MM and MC.
Good luck, Phil

SRS-SDA Front
2 cs400i Center
SRS-SDA Rear
Shure 12in sub
B&K ref 10 pre-pro upgr to ref 50
Techniques 1200 TT
Mac MR71 Tuna
Lexicon rt-20 uni player
PSE Studio pre for TT
2 PSE Studio Mono Blocks
4 PSE Studio Stereo Amps
1 Mac 2100 Amp )bridged to mono) for sub

Huck344

I have an Onkyo 804. The phono section is horrible. I purchased this preamp just last week and connected through aux. Huge improvement. I'm sure there are better preamps out there, but this was only $55 (including shipping).

http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750lcpp.html

fbm211

+1 on the Zphono by parasound.
Easy to upgrade
Your choice of power cable.
And there is a site that sells it for 129.00-- NEW.
I Just cant think of that vender at the moment

PSOVLSK

I have no basis for comparison, but I'm happy with my zPhono as well. I paid $100 used, so $129 new is a great deal.

Gulfstrings

Thanks for all your responses. Seems there's agreement that the weak phono section of the Onkyo can be overcome with a phono pre amp.

Appreciate the added info re the Parasound. I did a little research and found it interesting that installation warnings included the need to isolate it from other amps, power cords, etc because of the gain factor and the possibility of picking up a hum.

I'm going to assume this would apply to any similar pre amp due to the tiny signal from the cart it has to boost. This could be a concern since the rear of my entertainment center looks like an octopus convention.

Another question has popped in to my neophytic head: My Onkyo has phono inputs but the Parasound manual instructs the Aux (or other) be used and to NOT use the AVR's phono in. I assume this prevents the puny onboard phono amp from queering the enhanced signal from the Parasound (other)?

Hate to ask such (probably) obvious questions, but want to take advantage of all the knowledge that resides here.

Thanks,

Dave

vc69

Use AUX not PHONO inputs when hooking up a phono pre.

Rev. Hayes

You need to use an AUX input due to the fact that the phono input of the AVR will try to boost the signal sent by the phono pre again. The result sounds terrible and could potentially damage the amp.

I have the Cambridge you were looking at and used it happily with a technics table and the current set up shown in my signature (same cart. too). The signal is still a bit lower than the CD input but that just depends on the output of your CD player.

doctor r

Most phono preamps are set for approx 1 volt line level output which was the standard used during the time before CD players (thus the need for the AUX imput as apposed to the AVRs phono input that expects to see no more than 5 millivolts). CDPs output between 2 to 3 volts as their "line level" and will always sound louder than the vinyl at the same preamp attenuation setting due to this difference.

quadzilla

Gulfstrings wrote: »

Another question has popped in to my neophytic head: My Onkyo has phono inputs but the Parasound manual instructs the Aux (or other) be used and to NOT use the AVR's phono in. I assume this prevents the puny onboard phono amp from queering the enhanced signal from the Parasound (other)?

Hate to ask such (probably) obvious questions, but want to take advantage of all the knowledge that resides here.

Thanks,

Dave

Aside from the other answers that point to the gain from the pre overloading your phono inputs, the other reason that hasn't been mentioned is that your phono pre will already do the RIAA correction. Running a phono stage into another phono stage would apply the RIAA correction a second time, making records sound horrible.

Gulfstrings

Alright! A phono amp it will be! Likely choose between the three (NAD, Cambridge, Parasound) with a bit more looking ... maybe one with a USB out to try making some of this old vinyl portable.

Thanks for all the info. I'll post an update when time.

Dave

PSOVLSK

thsmith has experience with both the Cambridge and the Parasound and I believe he found them to be similar. Maybe Tracy will see this and share his opinions on the two.

Gulfstrings

Just ordered the Cambridge 640-P from Audio Advisor. Hopefully in a week or so we'll be ready to post comments.

Biggest reason for choosing the Cambridge (not a lot of good comparos out there) was its quiet, hum free operation observed in the most detailed review.

I also prefer the outboard power supply and relative "heft" compared to the NAD, as example. Still believe we should get the most weight for our money ...

Later,

Dave