Phono pre

EndersShadow

Nothing too expensive as I am just starting out, but if you have something you don't need and wouldn't mind selling let me know. Looking to keep it about 50 bucks for now, but might go more depending on the item.

The turntable is a Pioneer PL-7 running a Technics SL B3 with a AT cart whatever that means (like I said new to vinyl here :razz:)

mhardy6647

cheapest way to get a decent phono preamp in my elderly and hardly humble opinion is to snag a vintage receiver, integrated amp, or preamp. It doesn't even have to have a working power amp - as long as the preamp section works! Just use the phono input to preamplify and EQ your tt cartridge output, and pick up the line level, equalized signal from the phono preamp from the receiver's TAPE OUTputs to your preamp or whatever.

Probably can snag a freebie if you keep your eyes open (Chance, a Pasteur observed, favors a prepared mind).

If it is an old receiver, you could use its tuner, too, if that added any value...

The only caveat - the TAPE outputs of a vintage receiver are usually fixed line level (nominal 1V into 600 ohm) so you cannot use the whole she-bang in place of a full-function dedicated preamp, unless the integrated amp or receiver happened to have on-board pre-in/main-out provisions (some did, generally better quality/more expensive stuff, though - then and even still now).

I'll check stock - maybe I have something that could be yours for the cost of postage :-)

EDIT: something along the lines of this - from my favorite local emporium, of course; passed along to someone else via the freebie table at our semi-annual NEARC vintage radio/hifi swapmeet www.nearc.net :-)

PolkieMan

I cheapest way to get one that is good is right here.
I got one you can't go wrong here. You wil have to wait they are always running out, good people to deal with also
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=thispage&thispage=00000Q724U018_BGB1151P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!

PolkieMan

is this it?
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-7.shtml

EndersShadow

PolkieMan wrote: »

is this it?
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-7.shtml

Ok, so I totally missed what Travis said in my other thread. (see bold quote below)

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

First off I gave you the Technics SL B3 with a AT cart. I forgot to switch out and give you the Shure97mxe. I think your best bet is to get a nice phono pre. For inexpensive and a good start for you, I'd recommend the ART DJ phono pre you can find on amazon. It is very versatile and does a great job for under $100. Later if you like vinyl you can move up to a nice tube pre or cambridge 640p or maybe something like the zphono pre. It was good getting together yesterday for a brief visit.

This is NOT a Pioneer PL-7. Its a Technic's SL B3 with a AT Cart (pics below). Dont know how much that changes anything if at all.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

cheapest way to get a decent phono preamp in my elderly and hardly humble opinion is to snag a vintage receiver, integrated amp, or preamp. It doesn't even have to have a working power amp - as long as the preamp section works! Just use the phono input to preamplify and EQ your tt cartridge output, and pick up the line level, equalized signal from the phono preamp from the receiver's TAPE OUTputs to your preamp or whatever.

I'll check stock - maybe I have something that could be yours for the cost of postage :-)

EDIT: something along the lines of this - from my favorite local emporium, of course; passed along to someone else via the freebie table at our semi-annual NEARC vintage radio/hifi swapmeet www.nearc.net

I figured you might have something that might work. Tuner would be nice, but not really required. My Integra has one that I dont even use lol. But my main thoughts were that a vintage receiver might have a good phono, its just finding a working one for low cost that doesnt have issues. :biggrin:.

Pics of the actual unit I have are below:





P.S. I have my dads old Yamaha R-300 I need to de-oxit and test out again but its got a phono input but I dont think its got any tape outs, but I dont know without looking at its at work. If nothing else I could use that with my Monitor 60's in the office, or if possible hook it up to the integra, who knows.... mhardy probably does

PolkieMan

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-b3.shtml



The preamp I recommended would be fine for almost any turntable with a standard MM cartriage. If a receiver is what you need then by all means otherwise this little unit avoids the extra clutter and has a nice headphone jack. $15 and ships free


http://www.shopblt.com/item/pyle-ultra-compact-phono-turntable-preamp/q724_pp444.html

mhardy6647

The SL-B3 is a nice basic turntable (Mrs. H had an SL-B2 for years which we only recently passed on to a new generation of record spinners). The B3 should be the fully-auto morph of the B2.
Yes the Yamaha R-300 has a respectable phono section and Tape inputs and outputs...although it lacks the a totally separate preamp tape loop, allowing one to listen to one source while taping another, that most Yamahas of its era had. It's a cute basic/entry level receiver (we have my father-in-law's R-500 here).

You can download the manual from http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/av/english/AFR/R300.pdf if you don't have it. See Fig. 3 for the Tape I/O.

EndersShadow

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The SL-B3 is a nice basic turntable (Mrs. H had an SL-B2 for years which we only recently passed on to a new generation of record spinners). The B3 should be the fully-auto morph of the B2.
Yes the Yamaha R-300 has a respectable phono section and Tape inputs and outputs...although it lacks the a totally separate preamp tape loop, allowing one to listen to one source while taping another, that most Yamahas of its era had. It's a cute basic/entry level receiver (we have my father-in-law's R-500 here).

You can download the manual from http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/av/english/AFR/R300.pdf if you don't have it. See Fig. 3 for the Tape I/O.

So are you telling me I can connect the TT to the phono input of the R-300, then use the tape line output to connect it to a input on my Integra? So it would look like this: TT-->R-300 phono input --> R-300 Tape Line Out --> Integra RCA in?

mhardy6647

yup.

Analog technology was amazing. Complete interoperability, no apps to buy - only a coupla wires.

;-)

EndersShadow

mhardy6647 wrote: »

yup.

Cool, time to buy a 20 dollar can of de-oxit and after spraying it all out test it. Always good to be able to re-use gear. Especially in this case as I can use it in my office at home (now that my headphone rig is almost finished) with my Monitor 60's.

Will have to connect it to the big boys and have my Dad come over with his LP's when the wife's baby shower is going on at their house :biggrin:

mhardy6647

Heck, I'd be trying it out as is - but I am impatient, impulsive, and impetuous. :-)

That said, the function selector switches in the Yamahas do get balky from dirty air/oxidation over the decades (my CA-610II needs its controls cleaned about every 5 years)... you might indeed have very intermittent signal when set to "phono" until you clean the switches and pots.

I'd recommend setting the speakers to "off" on the Yamaha (assuming you won't be using any speakers with it) and leave the volume at zero when using it as a 'dedicated phono preamp' (just to be on the safe side vis-a-vis its power amp section).

Heck, I'd also try hookin' the R-300 to whatever speakers you're gonna use with your turntable (if it is in working order all the way through to its speaker outputs) and see how you like that. The R-300 was entry level and a tad past the prime of the Yamaha consumer hifi gear (ca. 1983) - it's a good sounding little receiver, though.

EndersShadow

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Heck, I'd be trying it out as is - but I am impatient, impulsive, and impetuous. :-)

Cant try it out right now, its at work and I am at home (and too lazy to get dress drive over there, ect). It will be coming home with me Monday after work.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

That said, the function selector switches in the Yamahas do get balky from dirty air/oxidation over the decades (my CA-610II needs its controls cleaned about every 5 years)... you might indeed have very intermittent signal when set to "phono" until you clean the switches and pots.

I'd recommend setting the speakers to "off" on the Yamaha (assuming you won't be using any speakers with it) and leave the volume at zero when using it as a 'dedicated phono preamp' (just to be on the safe side vis-a-vis its power amp section).

Yup, planned on turning the speakers off and leaving the volume totally alone and at 0.

There is some significant static in the setup right now so it needs to be cleaned bad. Mostly on the balance knob when you turn it but it sticks around. My dad stored it in the attic for a long time wrapped in a garbage bag to keep the dust out, but it probably needs some compressed air and de-oxit to really work. It was working decent when I first started using it a couple months back but developed that static pretty quick so I think/hope it just needs a quick clean.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Heck, I'd also try hookin' the R-300 to whatever speakers you're gonna use with your turntable (if it is in working order all the way through to its speaker outputs) and see how you like that. The R-300 was entry level and a tad past the prime of the Yamaha consumer hifi gear (ca. 1983) - it's a good sounding little receiver, though.

I will later on, but I want to use it on my LSi 15's and the R-300 wont drive that load at all . The Monitor 60's upstairs though it will just fine, which is where it will mostly reside/be used. I however have NO idea if the speaker outputs are still working, thing hasn't been connected to speakers in a LONG LONG time.

mhardy6647

I will disclose that our R-500 has some sort of intermittent problem at this late date :-P
I'd say the odds are good that your R-300 will work, though.

yeahbuddy

EndersShadow wrote: »

Later if you like vinyl you can move up to a nice tube pre or cambridge 640p or maybe something like the zphono pre.

I (somewhat shamefully) have a zphono pre sitting around that I might be able to let go of if you decide to move up the separates ladder and add to your gear list. Sure, in today's increasingly "green" world you'd be moving from the second "reuse" category with your R-300 to the third of "recycling" my used gear, but at least you're still on the map...and playing vinyl! :razz:

shadowlight

Another option under 100 is TC760 Phono Pre. It supports both MM and MC cartridge.

EndersShadow

yeahbuddy wrote: »

I (somewhat shamefully) have a zphono pre sitting around that I might be able to let go of if you decide to move up the separates ladder and add to your gear list. Sure, in today's increasingly "green" world you'd be moving from the second "reuse" category with your R-300 to the third of "recycling" my used gear, but at least you're still on the map...and playing vinyl! :razz:

Eh, adding to my gear list isnt a huge deal, especially for this little setup. I might just take you up on that later on. For now the cheap factor is playing a major role. Later on spending a little bit for a phono pre might be worth it.

Like I said my 2 channel setup (where the TT will eventually live 90% of the time) is gonna have for sources a TT, possibly a CD player/transport and my computer via a USB DAC. Its gonna be built up slowly with used stuff so going "green" doesnt matter as much for me as bang for the buck. I figure I will probably just run Kimber Kable PBJ or Signal Cable Analog 2 wire max for whatever I am doing.

I am looking at the Outlaw Audio RR2150 as the reciever/pre to use though. Its got a USB in, phono input and digital in's I think. It might just be what I need, but when I get it and what gear I burn through before then are a totally different story .

shadowlight wrote: »

Another option under 100 is TC760 Phono Pre. It supports both MM and MC cartridge.

Will keep that in mind.

schwarcw

Lot's of choices, I thought Channel Islands (Look Here ) and Belari had great phono (Look Here ) pres that were very cheap, less than $300 for good quality product.

scottyboy76

I have a rega mini i bought for 50 bucks from starkiller.

The only prob was the power would occasionally cut off,after opening the case and seein one of the three triangle shaped solder points holding the power cord in had cracked, and heating and dropping one drop of solder onto the solder already on there, has never had a minutes problem, even with picking it up moving it around and stressing that area on purpose.

Does a wonderful job and would let you have it for the 50 dollars he let me have it for, plus ship, which wont be much, BTW its not the mini with usb to be a go btween from analog to computer.

Let me know

scott and deb

P.S. only reason selling is to go maybe four hundred range and hope that makes a huge diff in sound quality, but for 50 bucks, cant complain at all about this little guy

rromeo923

I have a Yaqin MS 12b that I am selling $300 shipped. Phono and a linestage pre.
Comes w/Original tubes minus 1, 2 NOS Amperex Bugle Boys 12AU7, 2 NOS CVC CR4035 (12AX7), 2 Tung Sol Reissues 12AX7, and 2 NOS RCA 12AU7's.
All these tubes have less than 10 hours on them.

This a very nice sounding pre that has phono and one linestage.
See this thread for more info.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?136090-Yaqin-MS-12B-pre-w-phono

EndersShadow

Thanks scottyboy. I will keep that in mind. I am interested in probably getting one in the next month or so (maybe with xmas cash), but for now I think I will try to use the R-300 and see how that goes.

Since I am new and dumb about this whole vinyl thing my question is what is the difference between a MM and a MC TT and which type is the one I have (Technics SL-B3)?. Is one type of TT better than another? I see some of the phono pre's dont do both types.

I more than likely will be getting a phono pre in the near future simply so I can have my setup downstairs ready to be able to use my TT pretty easily there and just have to move it, and keep the R-300 (assuming it still works fine) connected in the office to my Monitor 60's for most of my playback up there with the TT.

I just need to research the phono pre's out there which will take me a bit of time. Seems like there are some pretty good options used on the forum (Parasound zphono, Rega Mini) as well as used on audiogon (Cambridge Audio 640P) and a RIDICULOUS amount of low priced ones on the web (TCC TC-750, ART USB Phono Plus, Pyle PP444 Turntable Preamplifier, Technolink TC-760LC).

More than likely any phono pre I get will be around 100 or under (focus on the under) simply because I want to baby step into this and focus more on good records and enjoying the tunes.

I do appreciate everyones input on this as I am slowly going back in time.

P.S. the wife and I do agree that we want to find a old vintage stereo console (hopefully with a TT) for downstairs. But we havent found anything the strikes our fancy yet and I dont want to spend a buttload on it either , but whatever it is I am hoping it will have tubes .

@rromeo932: Thanks for letting me know, but thats a bit more than I really want to spend at this point just starting out. I know vinly is a deep rabbit hole and for now I want to just get a working setup and start working on getting some good LP's.

Big Dawg

EndersShadow wrote: »

Thanks scottyboy. I will keep that in mind. I am interested in probably getting one in the next month or so (maybe with xmas cash), but for now I think I will try to use the R-300 and see how that goes.

Since I am new and dumb about this whole vinyl thing my question is what is the difference between a MM and a MC TT and which type is the one I have (Technics SL-B3)?. Is one type of TT better than another? I see some of the phono pre's dont do both types.

MM (moving magnet) and MC (moving coil) refer to the cartridge, not the turntable. I would recommend that you stick to MM carts for now and not worry about MC, as they tend to be more expensive and are unnecessary in a basic setup. This may also reduce the cost of your pre, as you won't need to look for one that's MC capable.

rromeo923

All good. Good luck. I am loving vinyl at the moment.
I just bought a hand held steamer and it is amazing at cleaning albums. I have brought back to life several albums from my college days that I thought were hopeless. Goodwill stores are your friend. Albums can be cleaned and will sound great!!

EndersShadow

Big Dawg wrote: »

MM (moving magnet) and MC (moving coil) refer to the cartridge, not the turntable. I would recommend that you stick to MM carts for now and not worry about MC, as they tend to be more expensive and are unnecessary in a basic setup. This may also reduce the cost of your pre, as you won't need to look for one that's MC capable.

Gotcha, thanks for letting me know that. I am going to stick with the one on the TT at the moment which is a AT Cart of some sort (no idea model). I dont need to make this any more complicated that it is already for me :biggrin:.

rromeo923 wrote: »

All good. Good luck. I am loving vinyl at the moment.
I just bought a hand held steamer and it is amazing at cleaning albums. I have brought back to life several albums from my college days that I thought were hopeless. Goodwill stores are your friend. Albums can be cleaned and will sound great!!

Yeah I realized I have a hand-held steamer in the closet that we used for my wifes wedding dress 2 years ago and hasnt been used since. I think I will pull that puppy out and see if it still works . First time in a long time keeping something we dont use may come in handy .

Hoping to have the r-300 up and running this weekend so my dad and I can play some LP's while he's escaping the baby shower at his house for my wife :biggrin:.

maxima

I don't have a phono pre but I do have an Adcom GTP 500II I am looking to sell. It has a phono input. I guess I'm not too up on the difference other than I think the phono input performs equalization?