Phono Preamp Suggestions

riglehart
riglehart Posts: 276
edited February 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
I want (not need) a phono preamp. My TT isn't the best (JVC w/ ortofon 5), and I'll only occasionally pull out the vinyl.

Seems like the NAD PP2 or Parasound P-PH100 are about right. Any other suggestions before I spend $100-200 on one of these?

Also, I've never owned a seperate phono preamp. Will either one of these be a marked difference from the built-in ones I've used on my midrange receivers. I've always been happy with what I had, but ignorance is bliss.
Jolida Tube
Polk 11T, 7, 5, 5jr, 4
Standard equip not worth bragging about.
Post edited by riglehart on
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Comments

  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited February 2007
    I have the NAD PP2 that was given to me as a gift. Awsome pre for the money you cant go wrong.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2007
    I had the Parasound and it was fine, additionally, although just a bit over your budget (250.00) the Bellari receives alot of good reviews. Hard to really say about the SQ compared to your old receivers aas some of them had some good phono stages back in the day, but I would guesstimate the seperates will be a bit better.

    RT1
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited February 2007
    Hi,
    I am using a Hagerman Bugle phono amp that is available as a kit or complete and ready to go. You can be battery powered or AC. I built my kit with the 15 volt ac power. I think it is great. It is now in a old cd case with a mahagany front. It really sounds good, much better than the phono section in my TAD preamp or the Carver preamp I have. It was a fun project and sounds nice. Someday I will get his tube phono amp and a set of transformers for the denon mc I use and move up a notch. Someday. But for now I have changed from the stock 40 db output to 55 db and got rid of the old denon head amp. No more 60 cycle hum and more bass. The Bugle can be built with output anywhere from 40 db up to 60 db.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2007
    That looks really neat Bikerboy.

    Hagerman
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited February 2007
    The Parasound Zphono is in your price range. IIRC it replaced the PPH100 and has additional features with external controls.

    I had a Bellari VP129 and it sounded OK. It gives you the option of rolling different tubes. The gain is controlled by a volume knob.
    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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