Phono pre amp for cheap

mikeyb128
mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
edited November 2015 in 2 Channel Audio
Well the girl friend wrecked the stylus on my teac tn300 while "dusting". I have since replaced it with an ortophon 2m blue. I've noticed since new I have to crank the volume to get decent volume out of the TT. Looking for something 200$ and under in Canadian funds. Decided a phono pre might be in order and bypass the internal one that came on the teac. Looking at Cambridge audio, nad, and brik.

Could anyone recommend something Nice sounding that's available up here. I'm a vinyl newbie. most of my listening is digital, but we often indulge in a handed down vinyl collection. Would love to squeeze a little extra performance if I can.

I've spent more than I would like in the last year on my "modest" 2 channel system in the living room. It's been a little ridiculous!
2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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Comments

  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Mikey, as a zPhono user...take Skip up on his offer, it sounds incredibly good with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with a 2M Red.

    Nice! I got the blue from a buddy for 100 bucks with about 50 hours on it. I was specifically looking for a parasound actually. Couldn't find one.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    DSkip wrote: »
    I've got a Parasound Zphono that I won't be using after all. $50 in my pocket and I'll get it on its way. Should be about $100 or so after shipping/fees etc.

    Pm sent
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    Want to say thanks to skip for getting the z phono out to me. I have a loner phono pre on demo I will be putting the z phono up against.

    A sound smith mmp3 which retails for about 650usd vs zphono which retails for 199 usd. I understand it may not be a fair comparison, but the z phono seems to be highly regarded for the price, and performs well above.

    So far I can tell you the sound smith is very lively and detailed, great sound stage. I've only had a few days with it, But so far it sounds really nice, the box is small and simple, and it's dead quiet! Will do a little more testing this weekend, and will get my new cartridge mounted. Right now still using an audio technica AT95E.

    Will spend a few weeks with both and decide the winner.

    I'm shocked with the difference this small box has made. Even using half decent interconnects, ultra-link caliber RCA's I picked up locally and new for cheap. Which have nice specs and a great build quality for the price.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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