Another phono pre amp discussion!

mikeyb128

Going to be diving head first into vinyl again. I sold my phono pre.
Interested in these:
Musical surroundings phenomenon II+
Lounge audio lcr mk3
Vincent pho 8
Ifi iPhono 2

My problem lies with space, the ifi really interests me. I've heard great things about lounge, and that it bests the Phenomenon. All of these are expensive up hear in Canada, ranging from 600-1000. The lounge or ifi seem like the best option. These will be paired with a teac tn 300, and nagaoka mp110 for now.

dromunds

Can you get a Parasound z-phono (w/o usb) inexpensive up there? Really good bang for the buck while you wait for a better one that not expensive. You can get them for a hungy shipped sometimes in these parts, hard to beat that value.

mikeyb128

I used to have one, and yes they are a great value, but I'm looking for a nice step up in performance. My bday/Xmas present will be some cash towards a new table.

tratliff

You might want to talk to @DSkip about the ifi. Not sure if he is able to ship across the border or not.

If it will fit you might consider a Parasound Halo JC3. Not the JC3+. You can pick those up for just slightly above a G. They are a great unit.

thsmith

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191976975477?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

BlueMDPicker

Not on your interest list, but offered on the forum here.

forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/174410/bottlehead-reduction-with-integration-upgrade-and-others-phono-pre-amp#latest

I have the original "Seduction" version and it's great. Lots of tube options.

skrol

I recently delved into the phono-pre world with a Parasound PPH-100 which is basically the same as the z-phono. Now I understand how vinyl really can sound better than CD.

soundfreak1

There is a parasound phono pre on the sale board. (Geoff gear) fully moded and I know that unit personaly and I know the original owner and the tech that did the mods and have heard that unit myself soooooooo it a real deal (price wise and sound wise).

voltz

Mike if you want to take a set up on a phono amp I would recommend Aaron's Reduction that BlueMDPicker suggested. As it modded big time with nice caps & wiring etc..

Look at the inside of any phono amp your looking at, then look at the pic for his Reduction

Dawgfish

Out of those options go for the Lounge. Add a Copla down the road if you want to try a lomc. Have you considered a Jolida JD-9? I've tried stock and modded versions of it. It sounds good stock, but with a few inexpensive and easy mods it jumps up significantly.

mikeyb128

Well I've had some unexpected bills. So my phono budget has been cut in half. Can only spend around 500 cad. Going to think on this for a bit. Oh well, life happens. I keep coming back
To the lounge and pho 8. All have great reviews and decently priced. And may work just fine with my modest table. Can't find the parasound in the FS section.

ALL212

voltz wrote: »

Mike if you want to take a set up on a phono amp I would recommend Aaron's Reduction that BlueMDPicker suggested. As it modded big time with nice caps & wiring etc..

Look at the inside of any phono amp your looking at, then look at the pic for his Reduction

Awww....you guys are too much! So far no sale on the Reduction. Price could...could, maybe, possibly come down should it sit for too long.

If you want throw something at Scompracer and see what he says. He's heard it and has had a few phono pre's. He's currently running the Eros as am I.

SCompRacer

Aaron's Reduction w/Integration upgrade sounded fantastic. IMO the Eros offers better bass and improved full range inner detail and extension, but I wouldn't kick the Reduction to the curb. The Eros uses two microphone tubes as first gain stage, thus the improvement.

Just slightly higher than your CAD budget with free worldwide shipping, the Parks Audio Budgie at $399US. 38dB of gain, a good match for you 5mV output cartridge. 6DJ8/6922 tubes so you can go from mild to wild with upgrades. Adjustable loading for fine tuning, cause sometimes 47K is not ideal for all cartridges. AND, IMO you don't have to spend a lot to get upgraded tubes in that class. Some folks here have one and are/were happy with it (if they moved on).

Currently I use a Park's Audio SUT. It did move my DIY SUT out of the house. One reason is due to circuit board design, Park's SUT is not as fussy about placement as my wired SUT. Never seen the Budgie Phono apart, so unsure if it shares same build design and is not as fussy about placement.

Oh, and Shannon Parks is a very knowledgeable and helpful guy pre and post sale.

http://parksaudiollc.com/budgiepreamp.html

mikeyb128

Forgot To mention the parks budgie is also on the list. I think I'm going to go with the budgie at this point. I could swing the extra 50 bucks for this guy. As per reviews I've been trying to decide between the lounge and budgie. Did I mention I love tubes?

mikeyb128

650 usd... around 900 cad. Can't do it.

Nightfall

How about $599 USD, make an offer is on the table too.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/phono-jolida-jd9-ii-phono-preamplifier-with-full-warranty-and-free-shipping-2016-09-15-preamplifiers-01060-florence-ma

I'm pretty sure that Larry runs this phono stage and has nothing but good things to say about it. Oh yeah, and tubes.

Nightfall

Gotta love this place.

How much do you want to spend? Here's something that's double that... DO EEEEET!

mikeyb128

Nightfall wrote: »

Gotta love this place.

How much do you want to spend? Here's something that's double that... DO EEEEET!

Lol so true!

msg

Mike, did you end up going with the Budgie?

I ended up trying three phono pre's when I was getting into this;
The PHO-8 (per @voltz) and Lounge LCR (per SketchyCraig/@vcwatkins) and the Budgie. I thoroughly enjoy all three, and the Budgie is the coolest piece of the three - come on - tube glow - and OtherMike(@mikey081057) found the sweet spot with some tube rolling, and I think essentially called his vinyl setup complete once getting to that point.

Shannon's got mine in the shop currently, as it was doing some weird alarming screechy thing, back and forth across the channels. I've no doubts as to the quality/reliability of the Budgie, since, as noted above re: Shannon's communication and customer service are absolutely top notch. I have to say that he's easily one of the best customer service experiences I've ever had. Extremely polite - so much so that you'd think he's Canadian - responsive, open and accommodating. I'm supposed to have it back sometime next week, and I'm curious to hear what he finds.

Of the three, at the moment, I think the Vincent PHO-8 is my favorite. My vinyl setups are modest compared to some, and the Vincent plays nicely in my secondary system in a smaller space with a B&K AVR 507 S2, Technics SL-1210 w/Shure M97xE and Shotgun S3 IC's and SC's with 703's. One of the things I really like about the Vincent is the separate pieces; it's weighty and just looks solid; sharp. Could also just be the listening space it's set up in, too. For as much as I enjoy the Budgie, I kind of wish the cables were on the back instead of the top. I also put LightDims on the red power lights to tame them a bit, as it takes away, imho, from the sweet subtle glow of the tubes. I enjoy vinyl sessions best in dimly lit environments. To me, it's all part of the extra layer of immersion and relaxation that the vinyl/analog ritual offers, and the beautiful sound coming from that little scratchy thing hanging off the end of the floating stick.

voltz

Sounds great Scott!

When it gets back I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the different tubes you have to roll in it and which you might prefer, as my only experience with rolling 6922 tubes are with my Headphone amps.

msg

yeah, I know, I still have those tubes you sent me to try out! been slacking on my duties

mikeyb128

msg wrote: »

Mike, did you end up going with the Budgie?

I ended up trying three phono pre's when I was getting into this;
The PHO-8 (per @voltz) and Lounge LCR (per SketchyCraig/@vcwatkins) and the Budgie. I thoroughly enjoy all three, and the Budgie is the coolest piece of the three - come on - tube glow - and OtherMike(@mikey081057) found the sweet spot with some tube rolling, and I think essentially called his vinyl setup complete once getting to that point.

Shannon's got mine in the shop currently, as it was doing some weird alarming screechy thing, back and forth across the channels. I've no doubts as to the quality/reliability of the Budgie, since, as noted above re: Shannon's communication and customer service are absolutely top notch. I have to say that he's easily one of the best customer service experiences I've ever had. Extremely polite - so much so that you'd think he's Canadian - responsive, open and accommodating. I'm supposed to have it back sometime next week, and I'm curious to hear what he finds.

Of the three, at the moment, I think the Vincent PHO-8 is my favorite. My vinyl setups are modest compared to some, and the Vincent plays nicely in my secondary system in a smaller space with a B&K AVR 507 S2, Technics SL-1210 w/Shure M97xE and Shotgun S3 IC's and SC's with 703's. One of the things I really like about the Vincent is the separate pieces; it's weighty and just looks solid; sharp. Could also just be the listening space it's set up in, too. For as much as I enjoy the Budgie, I kind of wish the cables were on the back instead of the top. I also put LightDims on the red power lights to tame them a bit, as it takes away, imho, from the sweet subtle glow of the tubes. I enjoy vinyl sessions best in dimly lit environments. To me, it's all part of the extra layer of immersion and relaxation that the vinyl/analog ritual offers, and the beautiful sound coming from that little scratchy thing hanging off the end of the floating stick.

You made this even harder for me! Lol. I've been leaning in the direction of these three. One of the members came forward with a very generous offer for a pho. I haven't ordered anything yet, as I don't have amps right now (I sold them). Still waiting for my Bryston. My vinyl setup is definitely modest, I'm having trouble ignoring all of the reviews for the lounge, seems you have to spend 1000$ to best it.

motorhead43026

Gee MSG, I think I will dim the lights, take my clothes off, sit on the couch and partake in some vinyl immersion.

soundfreak1

Thanks motorhead don't think I needed that picture in my head.