Phono Pre

george daniel

Guys/girls,I have a scout with dynavector xl 20 lo o/p mc. I'm using a dynavector P-75 phono pre in the "enhanced mode". The upgrade bug is biting,and since there are not that many audio establishmnets in the Atlanata are,I thought that I would come here for some advice.I'm looking at the PS Audio and EAR 834 phono pre's, have not heard them. So with that said,budget is about 1K.The pre will be mated with a Dodd MLP(it's staying Ted).I'm looking for slight warmth,detail, and seperation.I'm not opposed to replacing the cart either. I once had and Audible Illusions L-1,Belles 350A,,and the synergy that those two had was incredible,,thats what I'm looking for here.So those veteran vinyl junkies,please share your experience.
Thanks--george

analog97

George,

My experience tells me there is nothing like a high-quality tubed phono pre. I built a 4-tube unit, the Cornet2 from Hagerman Audio. An upgraded version is now available....look here. I challenge anyone to find something better for under 4K. http://www.haglabs.com/cornet.html

george daniel

Thanks for the link,,you know, you are about the third person,who, when asked this same question,has referred me to that site. I'll do some reading,as they seem to have a pretty loyal following--thanks--george

analog97

BTW, when I was investigating phono pre's, I looked at the Ear 834 as you are doing now. It is pretty good and has been a Stereophile Class B rated product for years. The Ear is also pushing $1,500 now. Then I looked at the guts of the Ear. Look here, as posted on a UK website: http://www.walrus.co.uk/phono/in834p.jpg

Compare the guts of the Ear to the Hagerman products and I think you will be impressed as I was and am. If you can solder, you can build a Hagerman Cornet2 for as little as $400. I put about $600 into mine and upgraded the caps to Auricaps, better RCA's and a pre-drilled/silkscreened chassis that was available a couple years ago from Hagerman. For value in audio, I rate this product as damn near unbeatable.

You will need a step-up transformer for a low-output MC. I also built Hagerman's Piccolo, another outstanding product. It has adjustable loading and gain and can be built for about $150 or so.

Good luck on your hunt!!

reeltrouble1

George,

Acoustech PH1-P, make sure its the P, for pimped out.

You will thank me. BDT had Gary Dodd build him one which I heard and it is very nice, or you can have him upgrade your Dodd pre with a phono stage for some other options.

Glad the Dodd is working out, really is a great pre-amp, damm, got a tear in my eye.

RT1

george daniel

Hey, thanks Ted,, did you have the acoustech @ PF? As I recall, we listened to some Floyd(which really sticks in my mind) on vinyl on the woodshed rig.

doctor r

Hi George,
You may want to look at aquiring a step up transformer for the low output cartridges and then this opens up alot of options. I have been using an AES PH-1 tube phono amp (Cary Audio Designed) with 6SL7 and 12au7 tubes that has been very rewarding. The AES unit is about $900 new but around $375 used.
Rick

reeltrouble1

george daniel wrote: »

Hey, thanks Ted,, did you have the acoustech @ PF? As I recall, we listened to some Floyd(which really sticks in my mind) on vinyl on the woodshed rig.

Yes George that is the one you heard. I got it from Max who had to go "all in" with the Manley Steelhead to do better. Generally going to have look on the Gon for used and they go fast in the used market.

RT1

Tred

analog97 wrote: »

If you can solder, you can build a Hagerman Cornet2 for as little as $400. I put about $600 into mine and upgraded the caps to Auricaps, better RCA's ...

You will need a step-up transformer for a low-output MC. I also built Hagerman's Piccolo, another outstanding product. It has adjustable loading and gain and can be built for about $150 or so.

Ditto! I did the same and built both Cornet2 and Piccolo. I share your impression on this pair. I've been using them for a year and can't imagine replacing them.

Question for you... How worthwhile is upgrading the caps in the Cornet2? My Cornet2 is running on stock caps. While it sounds wonderful, I wonder what I would gain from investing in $100 worth of caps.

BlueMDPicker

I have the high output version of your cartridge (20-XH MC) and am very pleased with my PS Audio GCPH. The GCPH will support both MC and MM carts and about any output level out there. I've had it in front of several preamps (Dodd MLP, Carver Research Lightstar Direct, and PS Audio GCP-200.) It was a solid performer in each case.

The Bottleneck Seduction is also a reasonably priced high performer. I built one with the CS4 upgrade and use it with my other table setup (MMF-5SE/Goldring 1042) and the Lightstar pre and amp. Very nice.

analog97

Question for you... How worthwhile is upgrading the caps in the Cornet2? My Cornet2 is running on stock caps. While it sounds wonderful, I wonder what I would gain from investing in $100 worth of caps.

I never heard a "stock" Cornet2. I like to build ONCE correctly, slowly and the way I want it. I'm sure your Cornet2 sounds just dandy. Everyone has a cap preference and there are likely subtleties with each. Cap tweakers will be all over the map stating their preferences, sometimes ad nauseum!!!! Me? I just know what I think I know and won't get into "my caps are better than your caps" crap. My advice is enjoy your Cornet2. :D

george daniel

Well,, I found a Acoustech PH-1P from the original owner. I may pull the trigger on it, while I decide if I want to build a hagerman,,might be a nice winter project. I've heard the PH-1 at Teds,and I think that it would be a definate step up from the dynavector,it will be mated with the Dodd MLP in a 2ch vinyl/sacd system. Thanks for all of the input. I sincerely appreciate it.