Inexpensive MC Phono stage or step up transformer

Fongolio
Fongolio Posts: 3,516
edited June 2011 in Wanted (WTB) Classifieds
I'm looking to buy a moving coil phono amp or step up transformer that has gain enough for .2 mV cartridge. Funds are limited so I'm looking at used in nice shape with decent sound. Some of you Polkies out there must have something like this collecting dust. An mc/mm unit is good as well as long as it has good gain on the mc side. Let me know what you have and how much you want for it. PM's are ok or post here.
Thanks

Kelvin
SDA-1C (full mods)
Carver TFM-55
NAD 1130 Pre-amp
Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
The Clamp
Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
Ben's IC's
Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
Post edited by Fongolio on
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Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2011
    Kelvin,
    I can highly recommend the classic Verion/Cotter step up transformers. Excellent sound quality and, of course, excellent S/N performance.
    Enjoy, Ken
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited June 2011
    I ended up buying a Denon HA-500 head amp from Biker boy in Seattle. Since I can't do sales ratings for him I will say here that it was the best packaged (triple boxed) electronics shipping package I've ever received. Extreme care was taken to ensure that this arrived at my door in pristine condition. I would buy anything from him with confidence any day.

    I also purchased a Pro-ject Tube Box MKII from a Canuck Audio Mart member. Both units (the Denon and the Pro-ject) are fantastic sounding in their own way. I'm using my Eico ST-70 integrated for amplification and the Pro-ject plugs into the two AM radio in channels (yes two channels) and is absolutely dead quiet on a very low output moving coil (0.2 mV) cartridge. Warm and detailed. The Denon unit plugs into the phono input on the Eico and also sounds extremely detailed though not quite as warm but with a wider sound stage and a little more depth. The Tube box came with two Electro Harmonix Russian 12AX7 tubes which I replaced with a pair of Eico Mullard 12AX7's I pulled from the ST-70 when I rolled in some Svetlana original factory tubes. The Mullards in the Pro-ject sound fantastic. A serious upgrade from the EH's.

    Overall, I'm very happy with both units. The Denon gives me an amazing wide and deep sound stage and the Pro-ject gives me the rich warmth of tubes. Both have freaky good detail. Thanks to Jeff (biker boy) for a great deal and even better packaging for shipping.

    Kelvin
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2011
    Oh well,,I have a pair of Cinemag 3440's for someone with DIY skills.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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