Opinions on budget MM phone preamps please

strider
strider Posts: 2,568
in Electronics
Looking for a budget phono pre, $300 or below. Cartridge is an MM Shure N91E, table is a Dual 1216 that I resurrected. USB not needed or really wanted. Nor is an MC input; I'd rather spend money on a decent circuit design than features I won't use. If I go MC in the future I'd rather use a step up transformer. No kits, either.

Been looking at the Pro-jects, Cambridge, and NAD offerings. The first page on Music Direct's site when you profile the phono preamps from lowest to highest price.
Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    Have you considered a Parks Budgie,,, new for about $399.00
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    george daniel wrote: »
    Have you considered a Parks Budgie,,, new for about $399.00

    Hadn't heard of that brand before, looks like what I'm looking for. Bit out of the budget, but pretty close. Do you have one?
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,090
    How a bout Zphono Phono Pre Amplifier from Parasound.
    HTAVR-Pioneer SC99XPA-DR3 Differential Reference AmpPolk R-700Rear- RT150Side- RT150Center-CSi5Sub-Rythmik audio F25Player- Panasonic DP-UB9000Projector- Optoma CinemaX P2Screen- Silver Ticket Products STR Series 6 120"Audio Room 2ch rig.Cary AE-3, Onkyo M-504, Marantz SA8005, Azur 851NWharfedale - Linton, SVS SB12-NSDMinis Forum PC (streamer) and Panamax MX5105Headphone rig;Schiit JOTUNHEIM and different headphones.Samsung 42" flat screen TV.
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Fan of the Vincent Pho series (700 and 8) here, very solid preamps and the SS Pho-8 is within your budget, (the Pho 700 tube version is outside probably) on the used market.

    That said, I have a Parks Budgie on my WTB list, they get amazing reviews here and elsewhere!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    george daniel wrote: »
    Have you considered a Parks Budgie,,, new for about $399.00

    Agree
    Probably one of the best bang for your bucks PP. Plenty of read on these little babies too
    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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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    Have a Parks Budgie in the computer system and love it! Nice to have the adjustable settings and he is pretty quick to return emails if you have a question or two. :)
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    strider wrote: »
    george daniel wrote: »
    Have you considered a Parks Budgie,,, new for about $399.00

    Hadn't heard of that brand before, looks like what I'm looking for. Bit out of the budget, but pretty close. Do you have one?

    I have one. It is outstanding for the price. It beat out my PS Audio GCPH which had previously bested any phono stage I had owned. (albeit all entry level)

    I can't recommend it highly enough in the price range.

    If you have some time...check out this thread..
    http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/171174/phono-preamp-suggestions/p1
    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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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    I another Vincent PHO-8 fan :) but its still $300 and what I currently use.

    but for I think I would recommend getting a Parasound ZPhono from Skip! the only reason I sold it was it was to big to sit on my top self next to my TT.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    strider wrote: »
    george daniel wrote: »
    Have you considered a Parks Budgie,,, new for about $399.00

    Hadn't heard of that brand before, looks like what I'm looking for. Bit out of the budget, but pretty close. Do you have one?

    No,, but a friend does,,, huge bang for the buck! I have Carls old Cornet built by Rich and modded by me,,, the Budgie ain't no slouch ,it is that good. Good luck in your search!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    hochpt21 wrote: »
    strider wrote: »
    george daniel wrote: »
    Have you considered a Parks Budgie,,, new for about $399.00

    Hadn't heard of that brand before, looks like what I'm looking for. Bit out of the budget, but pretty close. Do you have one?

    I have one. It is outstanding for the price. It beat out my PS Audio GCPH which had previously bested any phono stage I had owned. (albeit all entry level)

    I can't recommend it highly enough in the price range.

    If you have some time...check out this thread..
    http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/171174/phono-preamp-suggestions/p1

    Thanks for the link, somebody needs to chastise me for not using the search function before I posted. :p


    Pulled the trigger on a Vincent Pho-8 off of Amazon. Upgraded my Amazon credit card to an Amazon Prime card, got 5% cash back and a $20 credit for a net cost of $265 shipped. Should be at my door tomorrow. While the Budgie looks interesting and all the reviews I read about it were positive, I came to the conclusion I didn't want to deal with tubes right now. The RCA jacks being on the top of the unit also makes placement on my rack a but difficult, not a deal breaker but did help make the decision for the Vincent.

    Thanks for the input everyone, I'll update the thread once I get some seat time in with the Pho.

    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Enjoy - that's a great deal on the Vincent, practically used pricing for new! I was impressed by it's sound, weight and design, hope you like it! I like the separate power supply as well, no skimpy wall wart and some flexibility with placement. Let us know what you think,
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    Lounge Audio LCR. I have one for backup. It is a very good sounding mm phono pre and fits your price range to a T. Read the reviews.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,022
    +1 on Lounge
    Sketchy Craig recommended this back on the Phono Preamp Suggestions? thread. I use it in my main and it's pretty nice.

    I also equally enjoy the PHO-8 recommended by Voltz
    I have to send my Budgie in to Shannon for the once over. Getting some noise, but man, what fantastic customer support he provides, and the Budgie is definitely a sweet little piece.

    Can't go wrong with either of these three, imho.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited August 2016
    Haahaaa! Sketchy Craig! :D
    Didn't think that would come back.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Congrats on the Vincent I know you will like it as much as I do and all the others suggested would have been good choices too.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,022
    are you kidding me? @vcwatkins secondary nick's here to stay for sure!
    plus, it's super fun to say! lol
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Haahaaa! Sketchy Craig! :D
    Didn't think that would come back.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    great on the 8. The Pho-700 can be had right now for $500.00
    on sale for anyone else that may be pondering. >:)
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    rednedtugent wrote: »
    great on the 8. The Pho-700 can be had right now for $500.00
    on sale for anyone else that may be pondering. >:)

    Red I noticed in one of your posts you got the Pho-700 how you liking it? To the OP the Parasound or the Vincent 8 would be good choices and a lot of people here will also mention the Budgie.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    edited August 2016
    I'm playing w/ tubes at the moment and loving it.
    Here is my thinking: I can make my sound a little
    "dirty and warm" with distortion on the vinyl side of things.
    It was exactly what I was going for.
    (a shout out to Dromunds for the help :D )

    I should add that is bringing out detail and making
    instruments sound more "life like," so it is not just
    euphoric.
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Tone Audio Nov '15 has a review of the Lounge mkIII (and the new Copla SUT) on page 92 for those not familiar with it. Very good value, even for sketchy dudes.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
    Love the Copla. :)
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited September 2016
    I think I'm going to pick up a Copla. had the Budgie SUT for awhile and liked it and instead of getting it again I think I want to try this one.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    well I went ahead and bought The Copla & it came today, won't get to play with it till the weekend. It seems to be built very nice & heavy. it won't get pulled off the rack by heavy cables.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    @voltz I admire your moxy man, you change peripheral gear like underwear! Can't wait to hear how this pans out!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited September 2016
    Well I let John use my Bugie SUT and he wanted to keep it :) so I choose to get this one instead of replacing it with the same SUT. something new to try and this one is Variable ;)

    plus if i don't like it I'll switch back, but so far I'm keeping my PHO-8 phono amp but the urge to upgrade to the Vincent PHO-700 is strong thanks to you & RED :p

    I am already on my 4th phono amp o:)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    I love it!!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    Awesome! Please let us know what you think of the Copla and how it compares to the Budgie SUT. I have a homemade SUT using the same Cinemag Red transformers as the lower price Budgie SUT uses, as well as a few other SUTs, and a good phono pre with lots of adjustment. I'm extremely happy with the sound of my analogue setup, but the idea of the continuously variable impedance adjustment located on the front really intrigues me. If it is close to the performance of the Cinemag SUTs than I really want to try it.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,022
    It's one or the other with D.
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    @voltz I admire your moxy man, you change peripheral gear like underwear! Can't wait to hear how this pans out!
    I disabled signatures.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Just fired up TT with a Vincent PHO-8 Phono amp to hooked to the Copla and my amps are not warmed up much and the sound is great so far :)

    Put on Steely Dan's "Gaucho" new 180 gram version, and "Babylon Sisters" is sounding great & I know I'm gonna listen all the way thru side 1.

    Then some nice bass slam from "Hey Nineteen" I didn't remember. :)

    the Copla starts at 9dbl and 19dbl's at midway and like 27 a the far end, and I was set at halfway between 9 & 19 for 1st song then found I like 19 at midway for my newer high MC cartridge (Blue Point #2).

    the variable setting make it a great choice and right now a keeper as if i ever change out to a low MC someday I'm already set.

    it was been awhile since I had my Parks SUT but I think this is just as good if not maybe better. its been several months now without a SUT and maybe that is why it sound so good right now B)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    sub4ro1748xs.jpg
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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