"New" Phono Pre - recommendations?

Erik Tracy
Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
edited April 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
I've got an itch to try a phono upgrade - thinking of trying a new phono pre as I'm using the built in phono of my Musical Fidelity A5 Int amp - which is pretty good.

My budget is about $600. Could be new or used.

For new, I was looking at the following:
Right at the limit of my budget
* Musical Surroundings - Phonomena II
* Creek OBH-15 MkII

A little below my budget
* Project Tube S
* Grado PH-1 Phono Preamp

Should be selectable for impedance and capacitance for playing with different carts.

Any recommendations?

Any others I should look at?

I'm currently using a Technics SL-1200mkII and a HOMC Denon DL-160 which I really like.

Thanks,
Erik

H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
Post edited by Erik Tracy on
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Comments

  • shadowlight
    shadowlight Posts: 327
    edited April 2013
    I have heard good things about Jolida JD9
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2013
    Good afternoon, Erik. The Jolida JD-9 is a solid choice at that price point. You may want to add to your list a battery powered phono pre from Dodd Audio.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Good afternoon, Erik. The Jolida JD-9 is a solid choice at that price point. You may want to add to your list a battery powered phono pre from Dodd Audio.

    Tom

    That one is on my list but a tad of a stretch of my budget....

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited April 2013
    I have the Project Tube Box and am very happy with it. That doesn't mean it will be right for you though!!!!
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2013
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    That one is on my list but a tad of a stretch of my budget....
    Which one, Erik....the Dodd or the Jolida?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2013
    The Jolida at $649 +

    Seems like the modded Jolidas are the 'rage' but out of my range - I'm a bargain guy myself - so hate the thought of buying a modded unit that would take a 'hit' if I wanted to resell it.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2013
    If memory serves, the Jolida is offered up at two prices, for the same unit. I forget where the link is but the original distributor for Jolida has them for around 3 bills and the small amount of upgrades needed for the mods are really easy to install yourself and they do not cost that much to purchase. Just an FYI.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • shadowlight
    shadowlight Posts: 327
    edited April 2013
    Here is Jolida JD9 gen 1 with factory mods under your budget - http://app.audiogon.com/listings/phono-jolida-jd-9-vacuum-tube-phono-stage-with-factory-mods-available-2013-04-20-preamplifiers-20701. It seems that Jolida just came out with gen 2 version of jd9 which is 649 as the op said.
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  • vulcan
    vulcan Posts: 91
    edited April 2013
    I recently bought a Jolida JD9 from House of High Fidelity in Fla for $429 I think, it made noticeable improvement to my turntable sound right out of the box. I upgraded the output caps to Obliggato gold and the 12ax7 tubes to Tung Sol reissue, replaced opamps to Burr brown op627, and put some soundcoat vinyl under the top lid. Sounded much better, I think the caps made the biggest improvement. Found the info on upgrades on line, very easy and inexpensive to do.
    Really like this unit, build quality is excellent, has a lot of loading options to match you cartridge; also gain.
    Vinyl sounds really good now, better than most Cd's.
    Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2013
    Dynavector P-75--it will run with the bigger kids on the block and has /meets all of your specifications,,,small footprint with a big impact!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2013
    Another vote for the JD-9 here. I have the first generation that I paid $450 for new. I changed the tubes (actually Jerry here from the board changed them) to RCA 12AX7 blackplates, changed the op-amps out to BB OPA 627s, and Dynamatted the cabinets. It sounds fantastic with every cartridge I've tried with it including a Denon DL-160 mounted on a SL-1200. I'm really happy with it and have no plans to upgrade to another phono pre.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2013
    I'll have to keep my eyes open for some deals.

    The Monolithic looks intriguing, but does it require an external PS? That bumps the new price out of my budget.

    The Dynavetor P75 is now in the mk3 version at $895 new - so I may wait to see if one shows up at a lower price.

    I saw an overseas link in China that will ship a Jolida to meet my budget - but I'd prefer not to deal that way.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • JuanR
    JuanR Posts: 718
    edited April 2013
    I have a Technics SL-1200mkII and a HOMC Denon DL-160 just like you and use a Rogue Stealth phono and let me tell you, it sounds fantastic! New these are $795 but once in a while you can catch one on Audiogon or Fleabay...

    here is the link for a new unit.

    http://www.decibel.com/rostphpr.html
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  • shadowlight
    shadowlight Posts: 327
    edited April 2013
    Another one to add to the mix if tube phono is not a requirement is the iFI Phono - Review by Michael Fremer - http://www.analogplanet.com/content/whats-8500-cartridge-doing-place-399-ifi-iphono-phono-preamplifier
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited April 2013
    I have previously used the Monolithic Sound unit. Very versatile for MM or MC, but the external power supply made a massive improvement over the walwart.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited April 2013
    PS Audio GCPH.

    Used for about $500.

    I've had mine for about 3 months. Couldn't believe the improvement from the HK 3490 built in phono.

    It's extremely flexible with multiple gain and impendance settings. Removeable power cable.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • TSWisla
    TSWisla Posts: 446
    edited April 2013
    I agree wholeheartedly, GCPH is an incredible phono pre.
    Zu Soul Supreme
    Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
    Esoteric K-07
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2013
    Well - I just snatched up a used Jolida JD-9 original version for a nice price shipped.

    More later!

    Thanks guys!

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2013
    http://www.tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_054.pdf page 76 looks interesting.

    Never mind
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2013
    Look at some of Sim Audio's offerings...they usually review really well.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited April 2013
    I have the phonomena II you mentioned at the top. Dead quiet and extremely, extremely flexible. Had the JD9 once but couldn't get it to mate with my associated equipment. The Phononema II has been with me for years and it might be a lifelong part of my system.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2013
    Loud & Clear wrote: »
    Had the JD9 once but couldn't get it to mate with my associated equipment.
    Good morning, Loud and Clear. I can't help but wonder why this was the case. The Jolida is one of the more versatile phono pre's out there. Do you happen to recall what the issue was?

    Congrat's Mr. Tracy.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Congrat's Mr. Tracy.

    Tom

    Thank you, sir.

    I'll post up some comments when it shows up and I've had some time to spend with it.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited April 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Good morning, Loud and Clear. I can't help but wonder why this was the case. The Jolida is one of the more versatile phono pre's out there. Do you happen to recall what the issue was?

    Congrat's Mr. Tracy.

    Tom
    It's been a while. My recollection suggests I was using a Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO 3 cartridge. I was running that into the JD9, which fed a Jolida 1501A integrated amp. I was either getting too little or two much gain. Just couldn't sync them up. It drove me out of my mind. Ok, now I remember: so then I decided to sell the Jolida integrated and go with a NAD C162/C272 combo. Blue Point EVO 3 ran just fine with the NAD separates.

    Then at some point I ended up with a Jolida 801 integrated and my current cartridge, the Clear Audio Aurem Beta Wood. I tried a couple different phono preamps with this which didn't work out properly. Finally got the Phonomena II and dialed it in perfectly. Plenty of gain, air, detail, dynamics, width, depth, and dead silent. I can't imagine a cartridge that it couldn't be adapted to. I'm sure the JD9 is very good if it plays nice with your chosen cartridge. I just can't stand any distortion on the one end of the spectrum, nor can I stand a phono preamp that doesn't give the amp enough to work on the other end of it. It has to be just right. With the Phonomena II I know I can find that perfect common ground.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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