Phono Pre $500-$1000

Jhayman
Jhayman Posts: 1,548
edited January 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
Or a little higher if need be.
I'm using a Pro-Ject Phono Box S $200
I would like to hear the differences going up the chain a little.
What are you TT owners using?
ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
Post edited by Jhayman on
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited January 2014
    My PS Audio GCPH made a huge impact vs my HK reciever phono input. I know that's not saying much, but it sounds great, has two gain controls and is crazy flexible with different settings. Balanced outputs.

    I currently have my TT hooked onto the GCPH, then the GCPH straight into my amp via balanced inputs. Very, very happy.

    You should be able to get one for $500 used.
    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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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited January 2014
    Musical Surroundings Phonomena. I had a Cambridge Audio Azur 651P originally that I dumped for this one. About $600 new. Haven't seen any used.

    http://www.a.musicalsurroundings.com/mus_surr_pgs/mslsurr_PhonomII.html
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited January 2014
    I would probably look into a tube phono stage like the one below. Talk to Walter, he's a really nice guy and Johnny on the spot getting gear shipped out.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/phono-jolida-jd9-mk2-level-1-modified-phono-stage-new-2013-12-30-preamplifiers-30067
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited January 2014
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Musical Surroundings Phonomena. I had a Cambridge Audio Azur 651P originally that I dumped for this one. About $600 new. Haven't seen any used.

    http://www.a.musicalsurroundings.com/mus_surr_pgs/mslsurr_PhonomII.html

    I really like the Phonomena II. It rescued my vinyl experience from an issue I was having. I couldn't find a phono preamp to match my cartridge with the amp I had at the time. Then I tried the Phonomena II. It's very flexible and I was finally able to perfectly mate my components. Quiet and dynamic. Very satisfying.

    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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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited January 2014
    Thanks guys, I was already looking at the PS Audio but now I'm intrigued with the Musical Surroundings entry and the Jolida..
    Must read more..
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited January 2014
    Jhayman wrote: »
    Thanks guys, I was already looking at the PS Audio but now I'm intrigued with the Musical Surroundings entry and the Jolida..
    Must read more..

    I looked at the Jolida JD9 pretty hard, but ended up getting a solid deal on the PS Audio. Lot's of folks sing the praises of the JD9.
    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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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2014
    ...and for good reason.

    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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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,766
    edited January 2014
    You can probably build a Pass DIY Pearl 2 for around $500. That would outshine others at more than $1000. I have an original Pearl and have been very happy.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2014
    hochpt21 wrote: »
    I looked at the Jolida JD9 pretty hard, but ended up getting a solid deal on the PS Audio. Lot's of folks sing the praises of the JD9.
    treitz3 wrote: »
    ...and for good reason.

    Tom

    I'm going to add one of these at some point as well, especially as I have an all Jolida setup below. Lots of buzz on this one as well as tweaks. And it's "affordable" too; what's not to like?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited January 2014
    Does anyone know what Larry (Toolfan66) is using?
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2014
    Jhayman wrote: »
    Does anyone know what Larry (Toolfan66) is using?

    I shouldn't try to speak for Larry, but at one time he "had" a Jolida JD9 as his phono pre.

    My next phono pre will be a Magi Phonomenal
    phonemonal1.jpg
    they are custom built one unit at a time.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2014
    Not intending to pimp...but I do have a Jolida JD9 (original version) that is languishing on the bottom shelf of my rig.

    I've just been too lazy to put it in the For Sale section.

    PM me if anyone is interested.

    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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