Preamp w/MM Phono Stage for Under $300??

Lovegasoline

I’m pretty much a beginner on a budget who has slowly been putting together a 2-channel system for the past three years.

My system consists of Yamaha Integrated Amp model A-700 (mid 1980’s vintage). Sources are a Meridian 508.20 CDP and a Music Hall MMF.7 Turntable w/ Eroica Cartridge [the latter a high output MC Cart that is recommended to be run by a MM phone stage], Apple G5 as a music server w/iTunes (connected via cheap mini-plug > RCA cable), plus an inexpensive Philips DVD player for the occasional movie. Speakers are Polk LSi9s.

After putting upgrades on hold for a year, I just purchased a McCormack DNA-125 Amp and I am going to integrate it into my system. I had intended to use the preamp and MM phono-pre section of the Yamaha A-700 Integrated amp to feed the McCormack amp until I could afford a separate preamp upgrade in the future (I've been curious about the Audible Illusions M3A, but I haven’t really begun to do the research for the preamp yet). Unfortnately, I can NOT hook the Yamaha’s preamp section to the McCormack…there’s NO pre-out. Gah!

In the interim, I need to get some sort of temporary preamp into this system to feed the McCormack.

Finances are VERY tight right now. A good preamp is out of the question as my audio priorities include numerous system expansion upgrades [I’ll have two more rooms to supply with music in the near future, so I’ll set up either a hardwired or wireless music server based on my Apple computer].

So now I need to take a bit of a detour.
Does anyone have recommendations for a premap (probably used) for under $300 that has switchable sources (CDP, AUX [Digital from Apple G5] , TT, DVD), MM phono stage, that will mate well with the McCormack and Polk LSi9? I listen to mostly rock with a little bit of everything else. I want something I can easily resell down the road, preferably without too big of a loss. This is a stop-gap measure so buying used will likely yield more bang for the buck. I haven’t listened to tubes so I do not have an opinion on them vs. SS.

Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch.

ben62670

A used Parasound may be the ticket.

billbillw

Only one recent Parasound with a phono preamp, the PHP-850, which is on the lower end of things. Everything else is linestage only. For $300, I'd look at some of the higher end Rotel preamps from the late 90's. Something like the RC-990bx or RC-995 if you can find one at that price.

B&K Pro10 (or Pro10MC) are also a great choices in that price range. The only problem I had with the B&K is crosstalk from other sources. In other words, if listening to the CD, you can't have the tuner running or you can hear it in quiet passages.

Another choice would be any of the NAD preamps that actually have a phono stage. There are many choices and all perform quite well.

I'm sure there are others that are slipping my mind right now.

skipf

Carver C-1. Less than $200, you should be able to find one for about $100-$125. One of the best built in phono sections of any pre I've seen. Very neutral pre with the tone controls by-passed. Also has a great sonic holography board. Two sets of main outs too if you plan to bi-amp in the future.

miner

Rotel RC-1070 - a very nice phono stage onboard. One reviewer stated the phono stage was worth the price of the preamp alone.

Ricardo

Second the B&K pro 10MC; that's a great preamp and you can find one for less than $200. Browse Audiogon.com to see what you can find. Here's a couple:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1232303434&/Parasound-P/HP-850

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1232242649&/Rotel-RC-980bx

lakesailor

look for a vintage Van Alstine pre. You can google Van Alstine. His phono-sections are legendary. The guy has been at it for over 30 years. Failing that you can usually find a decent dedicated phono pre-amp for $ 200 - $300

MillerLiteScott

Nakamichi C 5. I think. I had one but can't remember the exact model.

Scott

lakesailor

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

Nakamichi C 5. I think. I had one but can't remember the exact model.

Scott

I know the C7 had a phono section onboard and the C5 likely did as well. The entire 7 series was easily Nak's best. The 5 series is likely a better buy today.

curved

I know which one I'd be getting if I were you:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74513