Discovered Why Phono Pre-amp

skrol
skrol Posts: 3,381
in 2 Channel Audio
I discovered the benefit of an external pre-amp. Picked up a Parasound PPH-100 for $33, spinning Breakfast in America and this thing is awesome sounding. The Marantz PM5004 has a decent phono pre but it can't touch this.

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Stan

Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    One of my all-time favorite Albums, nice job.
    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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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,158
    great album. enjoy the sounds
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    edited July 2016
    Anyone know how the PPH-100 compares to the ZPhono? I was actually going to buy one of those but this popped up on EB,
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    zPhono will run you about a hungy shipped, the ones with USB are more but I never found that necessary. Never heard the PPH-100 but for the money you paid I would be very happy, doubt the zPhono would be appreciably better than what you have. In fact, the PPH-100 looks very similar to the zPhono. Keep your eyes open for a Dynavector P-75 as a worthwhile upgrade that is adaptable to various different cartridges, but keep in mind it'll be a lot more pricey, like ten times as pricey. You got bang for the buck now.
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    I have not found any hi-res photos of the internals of the zPhono or schematics for either. However, from what I have seen, they look nearly identical in layout with the exception of the zPhono having the MM/MC selector and power supply voltage selector external. The PPH-100 has them internal.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    I have a Pioneer TT from that era. The PL510 and I also have a PL510A. One I scored for $10 at a thrift store, the other I found laying in my great grandma's house when she passed. I always feel like I was meant to find it, no one in the family even knew she had a record player.

    I was thinking about getting a external phono pre, I might just pick up one of those Parasound's.

    What cart and stylus do you use on your Pioneer?
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,701
    edited July 2016
    I picked up a zPhono about 3 years ago and it started my vinyl obsession. Prior to that I had a Parasound P3 and Parasound P5 and used the built in phono sections. I never got to impressed. Then when I got the zPhono I was hooked. Now I have a Parasound Halo JC3 phono preamp with a VPI prime turntable. Its a great combination.
    Post edited by tratliff on
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    @codycatalist

    Not to thread-jack, but I'm looking to move my Cambridge Audio 640p phono stage. When I get home I can get you a price on it if you are interested.

    I bought it here on the forum and have since upgraded.

    I think most folks would agree it's a decent entry-level unit.
    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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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    Yes please!
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    That CA 640p is a nice unit. Bought mine on the forum as well.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    It's a Jay sighting!

    Once upon a time when there were no CD's, there were some great built in phono stages. Now I prefer external.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    codycatalist wrote: »
    ...What cart and stylus do you use on your Pioneer?

    It is an old Grado "G". It seems to work nicely with the Pioneer. I really should try a newer Grado. I also heard that the Denon cartridges pair well.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    My tech does a mod/upgrade on those. Very nice after (didn't hear it before the rebuild though) but after ....
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • cortico
    cortico Posts: 587
    I have a PL-530, such a beautiful and reliable turntable.
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  • cortico
    cortico Posts: 587
    Also, this forum picked up my attention to Parasound gear, beautiful sounding equipment.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    Someone mentioned Grado and my antennae started twitching :)
    I like the Grado phono cartridge sound, FWIW. Sonorous and very musical.
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    edited September 2016
    I have an old Grado cartridge that came with a thrift store turntable and it pairs very well with the PL-530. I really should try a newer upgraded Grado. I have been a long time fan of Grado headphones too.

    I have heard some have had an issue with the PL-530 where there are some plastic parts in the tonearm mechanism that get brittle and brake with little mishandling. Mine has been good so far but I am cautious.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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