Tube pre with MC phono stage?
dagame27
Posts: 574
Hey guys, do any of you have any recommendations for an entry level tube pre with an MC phono stage. My cartridge is low output with an output of .4 mV. My budget is around $600-700 or anything cheaper. Thanks for the advice.
ChrisPreamp: Anthem Pre 2L (Jan-Phillips Green) Processor: Marantz SR7012 Amp: B&K 200.5Streaming: Bluesound Node 2IDAC: Eastern Electric Minimax Plus4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables
Post edited by dagame27 on
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Keep your eyes open for an Anthem Pre1. They don't come up that often, but it fits your bill perfect. (Note: you want the original Pre1, not the Pre1L, which doesn't have a phone stage)For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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You might consider seperates, tubed pre/tubed phono pre, you could get the Bellari tubed phono pre new at 250.00 and a used Dodd ELP for around 350.00.
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Carver use to make a C-19 pre-amp that uses 4 - 6DJ8 vacuum tubes. 2 in the line amplifier and 2 in the phone stages. You can find them on the bay and Audiogon.
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reeltrouble1 wrote:You might consider seperates, tubed pre/tubed phono pre, you could get the Bellari tubed phono pre new at 250.00 and a used Dodd ELP for around 350.00.
RT1
I don't think the bellari does MC. It does have adjustable gain, but you'd still need something pretty high-output for MC.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
OK if that is the case get a Dodd ELP and a Dodd phono-pre and call it a day. Gary will build you your own phono pre, however the Bellari is touted as being MC capable unless the MC is a low output design and it has a can output. The Anthem gear is excellent just hard to say when one will come up with the phono stage. I would definetly get a seperate phono pre amp, as you want to change your pre it will open up more options for you.
Parasound and Creek also offer some nice entry level phono pre's that will do MC and the Musical Fidelity phono pre has received good reviews.
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Thanks guys, I hadn't though about a seperate phono pre. If I were to buy the phono pre now and the tube pre later, could I just plug the phono pre into my receiver? I am confused as to whether the preout jacks on the phono pre would need a specific input or if I could just run them to any input (cd, tape, etc.) ThanksChrisPreamp: Anthem Pre 2L (Jan-Phillips Green) Processor: Marantz SR7012 Amp: B&K 200.5Streaming: Bluesound Node 2IDAC: Eastern Electric Minimax Plus4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables
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You can go with any input, except phono, if the receiver has one (the RIAA curve would get applied twice and clip like hell if you ran your phono stage to a phono input on the receiver)... The phono stage takes the <5mv phono signal & boosts it to the CD/video/Tape standard of 200mv.
As for the bellari, I've got a stanton cart that's .8mv and with the gain cranked it feels just a little weak. So figure on that being the low end of what it can handle... if you've got high output MC, you'll be fine. I'll be honest, I'm not absolutely crazy about the Bellari, but it's definitely a great low-cost choice.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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.4mv, you are not only going to need a phono stage, you are going to need a step up transformer also.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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Would I still need a step-up transformer if I were to get a seperate phono pre along with a tube pre? Right now I have my table hooked up to my fathers old sony receiver from the 70's
To tell you the truth, it still sounds pretty damn good. Too bad most of his good music is on 8 track and not vinyl! ChrisPreamp: Anthem Pre 2L (Jan-Phillips Green) Processor: Marantz SR7012 Amp: B&K 200.5Streaming: Bluesound Node 2IDAC: Eastern Electric Minimax Plus4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables -
As suggested you need a phono pre, that is it. Yes, you can just buy that first and then hook it to some sort of pre/receiver/ etc. you already have. If you want to get a tube pre and a phono pre then at 600-700 total for both you need to either contact Russman at Rancho DeAudio or look on the gon, of course I first recommend checking with RuSsman as he is our member. That Melos pre-amp he recommended sounds excellent, if you can find one. It boils down to your taste and your budget, if Unc is not impressed with the Bellarri take it for what he says, I never owned one, just read good things about them, not the same as having one.
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Actually, the bellari might fit in better for him than me- especially since it's got the adjustable gain... You can plug it straight into your power amp and go without a separate preamp. There have been a few threads around here extolling the virtues of taking everything that's not absolutely needed out of the signal path and a phono stage with adjustable gain will let you dump the preamp. Depending on the cartridge you might not be able to get your system up to ear-bleeding loud levels, but it's something everyone should try at least once.
Edit: Oops, forgot about that .4mv output. Step up transformer is probably in order.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
Damn, you just missed out on my McAlister ML-33 that SCompRacer had custom made for himself, with a killer phono mm/mc section and as a bonus a sweet headphone amp, to boot. Would have fit you budget, too."SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE" -
I've heard good things about the Jolida phono stage.....that low output though, not sure that a step up transformer isn't out of the question.
Second on the Carver C-19, the Carver preamps had notoriously good phono stages.
My CJ PV-7 was also a winner.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
That's what I was thinking Troy, he's going to need an active phono stage, and a passive step up combined, or get a different cart.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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I've been checking out the Jolida, too. Supposedly it can handle carts with output that low & it's also got the adjustable capacitance& impedance. That'd probably eat more than half of his budget though- not much left for a pre.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
RuSsMaN wrote:or get a different cart.
I think this is for his Sony ps-x45 TT. I don't know how good that particular table is, but it seems to me he would be better served replacing the MC with a good entry level MM cartridge and then his options are wide open. I would not spend a lot of money on a step-up transformer or a phono pre in this instance."Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
What do you guys think about the Creek OBH-9SE? It seems to be have enough gain to run a MC with that low of output. These seem to run relatively cheap, so that way I could get a nice tube pre (like a dodd elp) and use the phono pre with it, all run into my adcom 555 II. What do you think? By the way, this vinyl thing is kinda addictive:D I already ordered 3 Fleetwood Mac albums off of ebay, they are supposed to be minty. I can't wait!ChrisPreamp: Anthem Pre 2L (Jan-Phillips Green) Processor: Marantz SR7012 Amp: B&K 200.5Streaming: Bluesound Node 2IDAC: Eastern Electric Minimax Plus4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables
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TroyD wrote:
Second on the Carver C-19, the Carver preamps had notoriously good phono stages.
BDT
Plus adjustable gain as well. -
I'll keep an eye out for the carver. Do you think it would sound good when paired with my adcom amp? Thanks everyone for the advice. I am a definite noobie when talking anything about vinyl. All I know is I am very impressed with the sound. (also gotta love how cheap you can find records for!)ChrisPreamp: Anthem Pre 2L (Jan-Phillips Green) Processor: Marantz SR7012 Amp: B&K 200.5Streaming: Bluesound Node 2IDAC: Eastern Electric Minimax Plus4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables
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I'm not in a position to comment on your Adcom amp with a C-19 pre but George Grand might be able to offer some constructive comments.
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The McAlister ML33 that Noel mentioned, CP member Normanality has one for sale. The phono stage will only support MM or high output MC cartridges though. No remote, and kind of home built looks, but excellent sounding. Contact him if your interested.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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I had the original Adcom 555 for a short while. A very short while because of all that top-end grain. That was before there was a 555 Series II which I understand addressed some if not all of the grain problem. I can't see the Carver C-19 not working well with a 555 Series II.
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billbillw wrote:Keep your eyes open for an Anthem Pre1. They don't come up that often, but it fits your bill perfect. (Note: you want the original Pre1, not the Pre1L, which doesn't have a phone stage)
Actually one of these ending today. Buyer has no feedback, but maybe worth a risk.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250082021811&rd=1&rd=1
(No affiliation)For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
The Jolida JD9 is supposed to have incredible gain (85dB at .5mV). You can order one from TiVo community store for $340 new. I did but apparently there is a delay in getting the latest inventory from China, so it hasn't arrived yet (at the same time I ordered a Jolida JD 100A CDP which has arrived). If you don't already have an amp you could consider an integrated tube amp. I've seen some nice buys on phono preamps from time to time on eBay and Audiogon. If you got the Jolida from the above source, you would still have $250-350 left to try to pick up a decent used tube preamp. I've seen some vintage Dynacos go for that price recently.
