Jarrod Harrison Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Hi All, I have a fairly modest system compared to most on here but i'm working to upgrade over time. Currently having a Quasimodo amp built by @tagstrip and as there is no phono stage i need to buy a separate phono pre. My turntable is an Ariston Q Deck with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and my speakers are Sonus Fabre Luito's. As i live in a small town the best i could do locally would be something for jaycar I'm thinking to spend up to $500 and would love some input from the wealth of knowledge that is in this community. Regards Jarrod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyW Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Well, in that price range I'd pick up a Little Bear T11 and roll some tubes. If you're handy with a soldering iron you can upgrade the caps for a very nice result. Suggest Russian PIO's on a budget (K40-9y, K42Y-2, K75-10, K75-12 depending on what will physically fit). That stage will far outclass the 2M Red. It would be worthwhile tracking down a used Pickering XV15 and a new Jico shibata. Will compare very well with the far more expensive Black 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattd2308 Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Lounge Audio LCR MkIII or Vincent Pho-8 just my 2c 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 +1 for the PHO-8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 @mwhouston makes nice stages MM or MC I have his battery unit the "Mimic Carbon" for MM and the "Salix" for MC I actually think they're good value for money considering the sound they give out. His website is a bit of a maze to navigate but it's worth having a chat with him. http://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/ My 2c worth 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass13 Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 (edited) One in classifieds now, not sure the postage cost, could make an offer..if you want to go this way. Edited August 24, 2018 by Bass13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 5 hours ago, Bass13 said: One in classifieds now, not sure the postage cost, could make an offer..if you want to go this way. Great price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltech Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 (edited) I recommend saving your money and buying any affordable preamp. Check out this video and see how much difference you hear. I bet you find there isn't a lot of difference. If you buy one of the affordable preamps and later want to upgrade at least you'll have a benchmark to compare against. Your money would be better spent on a 2M bronze stylus, which will be a step up in sound quality IMO. My 2c. Edited August 27, 2018 by eltech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 On 24/08/2018 at 12:19 PM, JOH1975 said: Hi All, I have a fairly modest system compared to most on here but i'm working to upgrade over time. Currently having a Quasimodo amp built by @tagstrip and as there is no phono stage i need to buy a separate phono pre. My turntable is an Ariston Q Deck with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and my speakers are Sonus Fabre Luito's. As i live in a small town the best i could do locally would be something for jaycar I'm thinking to spend up to $500 and would love some input from the wealth of knowledge that is in this community. Regards Jarrod On 24/08/2018 at 1:41 PM, BATMAQN said: @mwhouston makes nice stages MM or MC I have his battery unit the "Mimic Carbon" for MM and the "Salix" for MC I actually think they're good value for money considering the sound they give out. His website is a bit of a maze to navigate but it's worth having a chat with him. http://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/ My 2c worth +1 for Mark's MM phono stage. Much better performance for less money than something from Jaycar. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 1 hour ago, andyr said: +1 for Mark's MM phono stage. Much better performance for less money than something from Jaycar. Andy Cheaper thsn jaycar? Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 26, 2018 Volunteer Share Posted August 26, 2018 8 hours ago, eltech said: I recommend saving your money and buying any affordable preamp. Check out this video and see how much difference you hear. I bet you find there isn't a lot of difference. If you buy one of the affordable preamps and later want to upgrade at least you'll have a benchmark to compare against. Your money would be better spent on a 2M bronze stylus, which will be a step up in sound quality IMO. My 2c. I don’t see a video ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltech Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 2 hours ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: I don’t see a video ? Sorry. Tapatalk must have encountered a fatal error and removed the link. I ammended my post above https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdcS9bdLf-c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 2 hours ago, Happy said: Cheaper thsn jaycar? Really? I think the Jaycar one is much cheaper but you get what you pay for. I think mine are quite a few runs up the ladder better but at a higher (still cheap) price. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 Mark's work is excellent by the way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrod Harrison Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 I bought the vincent pho 8 Thanks everyone for your input. Hopefully a nice sounding piece of kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flanders Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 I’ve got Richards mini Quasimodo and have no desire to ‘upgrade’, only that I’d like multiple inputs. I’ve got a few phono preamps in your price range and I reckon it’d be hard to actually go wrong. IMO it’s more down to personal preference and synergy, but then I haven’t heard a ‘high end’ phono stage, so don’t know what I’m missing. Let’s know how you get on with the Vincent and the Quasimodo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 On 27 August 2018 at 10:40 AM, Batty said: Mark's work is excellent by the way. Cheques in the mail. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrod Harrison Posted September 4, 2018 Author Share Posted September 4, 2018 Well I’ve got the PHO8 set up. It’s very bright compared to the phono stage on my Roksan Kandy. Not sure I love it. Doesn’t have the warmth I was getting. Personal preference of course. It does do some thing better. Wider sound stage and instruments are more accurately placed. Will hold final judgment until I get it set up with the Quasimodo. Probably a coupe of weeks away for that. In the mean time maybe the Vincent will grow on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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