Phono Preamp Suggestions?

dromunds

I'm still wondering who got #420? Lol

msg

that person is probably gonna be a while leaving a review anywhere

soundfreak1

dromunds wrote: »

I'm still wondering who got #420? Lol

You can probably sniff him out.

hochpt21

I noticed a light twittery/thumpity sound from my right channel at idle. Haven't had time to investigate.

Not sure if it's the unit.

msg

yes, great description - that's what I experienced as well. it went away after it was on for a while.

msg

Okay, so the Budgie is a relatively light weight unit.
Was thinking about this last night and now inspired to action by soundfreak's question - any thoughts on benefits/drawbacks to Dynamatting the lower chassis of this or any other phono preamp?

SCompRacer

hochpt21 wrote: »

I noticed a light twittery/thumpity sound from my right channel at idle. Haven't had time to investigate.

Not sure if it's the unit.

This sounds tube related. Next time it's off, swap R and L tube then power it up to hear if it moves.

Wowsa! It's a Budgie run! lol

I've never seen/heard Dynamat hurt anything unless you block air vents.

hochpt21

SCompRacer wrote: »

hochpt21 wrote: »

I noticed a light twittery/thumpity sound from my right channel at idle. Haven't had time to investigate.

Not sure if it's the unit.

This sounds tube related. Next time it's off, swap R and L tube then power it up to hear if it moves.

Wowsa! It's a Budgie run! lol

I've never seen/heard Dynamat hurt anything unless you block air vents.

I will try that, thank you.

I got my rubber band replaced and that took care of the other issue, but the pattering is still there in the right channel. I can only hear it if my ear is to the speaker.

hochpt21

msg wrote: »

good tips all, and all currently neglected.

Quick question - do you guys notice that the input signal strength from the phono pre to the preamp/receiver seems lower that of digital inputs signal strength? Seems like it requires more volume knob with phono than with digital sources.

That's pretty typical. As long as it doesn't require a TON of extra volume knob you are just fine.

msg

SCompRacer wrote: »

This sounds tube related. Next time it's off, swap R and L tube then power it up to hear if it moves.
I've never seen/heard Dynamat hurt anything unless you block air vents.

Interesting on the tubes.

Thanks on the Dynamat. I might give that a shot. was wondering whether the lining would cause any shielding/reflection type issues.
Is it a common mod to vibration damp phono preamp chassis?

hochpt21 wrote: »

I got my rubber band replaced and that took care of the other issue, but the pattering is still there in the right channel. I can only hear it if my ear is to the speaker.

Paul, how much time have you got on the unit now? I'll check tonight to see if mine does it again during warm-up, and whether it stops.

what's a rubber band? the belt?

hochpt21 wrote: »

That's pretty typical. As long as it doesn't require a TON of extra volume knob you are just fine.

cool, thanks.

hochpt21

Probably around 8 hours. I've played 5 records tonight and I listen to the speaker each time. It's doing that pattering thing every other time I check.

My TT has basically a thick rubber band that decouples the motor from the plinth. When it wears out, the spindle leans towards the platter and the belt rubs against the top of the spindle groove. Makes a bad noise and wears on the belt and the motor.

msg

weird. did you get a chance to swap the tubes yet like Rich said to see if it travels? I was a little concerned about mine when I first got it, as the box was a little molested, and then when it made that noise after hooking it up, I thought, oh no, but then it went away. I just got home and started everything, and it's still quiet, so yours might clean up too. good thing is 2yr warranty, and Shannon seems like a straight up dude, so pretty sure he'll sort you out one way or another. just a bummer though. wonder if it'll tighten up after the 24hrs?

ah, I see.

hochpt21

Switched the tubes and noise still out of the right channel.

I'll have to check my cabling next.

hochpt21

Just purchased a NOS pair of Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 Holland. Got these based on Shannon's recommendation. Hopefully will be here by the end of the week. I'll let you all know how they sound.

Mikey081057

Nice... Where did you getem? I am having a set of cables sent for phono to phono pre and phono pre to pre... Did you ever figure out the noise?

hochpt21

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Nice... Where did you getem? I am having a set of cables sent for phono to phono pre and phono pre to pre... Did you ever figure out the noise?

eBay. Seemed like a trusted seller, but we'll see. I keep forgetting to check. It's not doing it right now, though.

hochpt21

hochpt21 wrote: »

Just purchased a NOS pair of Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 Holland. Got these based on Shannon's recommendation. Hopefully will be here by the end of the week. I'll let you all know how they sound.

Added weight, air and presence. Worth $50 for sure. Stock tubes aren't 'bad' in comparison, but definitely a noticeable increase in SQ.

Mikey081057

Upgraded the cables with a nice pair of grounded VERY quiet cables.

Upgraded my tubes with a matched pair of 70's NOS Gold Pin Tesla E88cc's.

Super quiet. Very black background. I will listen tonite and get some feel for them.

Budgie is sounding very fine...

hochpt21

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Upgraded the cables with a nice pair of grounded VERY quiet cables.

Upgraded my tubes with a matched pair of 70's NOS Gold Pin Tesla E88cc's.

Super quiet. Very black background. I will listen tonite and get some feel for them.

Budgie is sounding very fine...

What cables?

msg

Niiice - you've been busy
yes, curious about the cables and any other info on the tubes (source, etc.)?

Mikey081057

Got the cables from a guy on the bay who makes them..

Tubes from Tubmonger...He is a very reliable source. The real Tesla's are very nice tubes for a pre.

Mikey081057

These tubes are a big upgrade to the Budgie...Listening to some of my favorite Jazz albums... Some Monk, Mingus, Brubeck and feel like I am at Jazz Club in NYC... The sound is so organic and realistic... noise floor is lowered ...cymbals are bright ... the piano has got the voice of angels... I might have gone a tad overkill on this pair of tubes ($80 pair) but the Tesla's never seem to disappoint. All around deeper soundstage. Acoustic instruments seem to make these shine... Not broken in yet but so far very rich and feel these add to a winning combo for my rig/ears. The tweets in the Ushers are incredible.

msg

wow, sounds like a great upgrade. $80/pr doesn't sound unreasonable for all you're reporting. did this come from the tubes, or the tubes/cables combination?

would you mind sharing the cable seller info and specifics? curious to read up some on the cables.

Monk... is that The Loneliest Monk?

Mikey081057

yes Thelonius....:) pure genius..

The tubes seem to bring it... but when i think about it...the cables cost more than tubes...i've had the cables hooked up for a few weeks while i was researching the tubes. the cables lowered the noise floor some... but now the tubes and cables have made it so you have to have your ear to speaker with the volume relatively high to hear any noise. Quietest vinyl rig I have ever had/heard...

Mikey081057

Here's the cable guy.... nice quality... nice materials...They are quiet..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191538892148?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I got 2' and 5' pairs.

msg

Ah, silver, very nice, and fantastic knowledgeshare on the upgrades.
Cables description seems to indicate very nice quality. Mentions military grade - Black Cat Cable is the only other brand I've seen so far that uses that descriptor. Also curious about the multiple ground wires?

So did you go with these for the whole phono signal path, hence the 2pr?

Thelonius - there was a program on HBO called Hello Ladies with Stephen Merchant. Pretty funny, though cringey at times. His airheaded roommate was pretending to be a jazz fan and listed The Loneliest Monk as one of her favorites. I knew immediately that she really meant Felonious Monk.

Mikey081057

Yes from phono to phonopre and from phono pre to p5 line level....

msg

I was just doing some reading over at Vista Audio, at Skip's mention of the Spark Integrated, and I noticed that they offer a phono preamp as well. Given the surprisingly pleasing experience with the little Dayens Ampino audition, and that Vista is designed by the same guy who designs Dayens, I'm a bit curious about this piece. Similar pricing to other phono preamps; $300

http://www.vista-audio.com/products/phono-1mkII/index.htm

Mikey081057

Tesla's mostly broken in now ... prolly 60 hours on them... much better than the EH that came with the Budgie.... Tesla's are known being very musical pre tubes and these are no exception fuhdamsho.

msg

Very nice. What are you noticing?