Phono Preamp Recs Please

vcwatkins
vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
edited November 2012 in Electronics
Need recommendations on best phono pre, new or used, for $500 or less. Also welcome are comments on whether that cost range is appropriate given my entryish level den system. I'm currently going from the Pro-Ject Box into the Dared pre, thru the Adcom. Cartridges on hand are the Goldring that came standard with the mmf5 (not sure of #), Shure M97xe, and a MC Denon DL-110. Advice there is welcome too.

Thanks for any help,

Craig
b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
Post edited by vcwatkins on
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Comments

  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2012
    My choice of those carts would be the Denon. I use a Sim Audio Moon LPS 3.5 phono pre with my MMF5 table, it has an Ortofon cart on it (can't remember which one). Very nice sounding phono pre that you should be able to get a used one in your price range. I can also recommend any of the Pro-ject Tube boxes, I currently use the Tube Box II SE. The Pro-ject speed controller works with your TT, and it does make a slight difference. None of the Pro-ject phono pre's are slouches, so my question would be what do you not like about the Pro-ject phono pre you have?
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2012
    Dynavector P-75 It plays very well with the MC denon
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited November 2012
    Thanks for the good info guys. Sorry it took so long to check back in.

    The Box II sounds good, dkg, but I'm guessing the system as a whole could be better. I'll start with installing the Denon cartridge, then maybe try a Sim Audio, Tube Box, or Dynavector and test combinations. I bought and like the Bellari 530 tube usb adc/pre for ripping vinyl in the office, but I find I'm enjoying playing vinyl in the den more and more.

    Thanks again guys. Other suggestions are still welcome.

    Craig
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited November 2012
    http://www.hagtech.com/bugle.html
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited November 2012
    My vote would be for a Jolida JD-9 phono pre. The Goldring cartridge that came with the MMF-5 I believe is the 1012. It's a good cartridge, better IMHO than the other two carts you mentioned ( I have owned both of them). Is there something you are not liking about the cartridge? If so describe the type of sound you are looking for and we can give you a better recommendation for a cartridge.
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