Phono Preamp Recommendation Needed

[Derek60]

Hi Guys,

I want to enjoy my vinyl a little more so I have just purchased a second hand Rega Planar 3 and need to purchase a phono preamp to match my system.

Would really appreciate some advice on what to buy. My budget is limited to $500, I know that is low compared to some of the gear I have read about in this forum but I have boundaries I have to work within. Hopefully this can work to sound good.

My system is:

Rega Planar 3 TT with Ortofon 2M Blue MM cartridge

Cambridge Audio 840A amp

Focal 836V floorstander speakers

Cheers,

Derek

[Chill3]

New I would go the MF V LPS

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-53357-musical-fidelity-v-lps-mk-ii-phono-preamp.aspx

And add the better power supply

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-53358-musical-fidelity-v-psu-mk-ii-power-supply-upgrade.aspx

This sound way above its price range and would be a good match for your gear

IMO of course

[Willco]

Well for that kind of price range-not much can best the EAR 834P--one just sold S/H for under $800

That would be my choice if you could stretch a tad?

Good hunting,

Willco

[Telecine]

It would be worth your while availing yourself of the Graham Slee Loaner program to evaluate what you can get for about your budget. Contact member Cheekyboy on this site by way of private message to start the process.

[mikey d]

It would be worth your while availing yourself of the Graham Slee Loaner program to evaluate what you can get for about your budget. Contact member Cheekyboy on this site by way of private message to start the process.

+1. You're gunna make a perfectly decent sound with that rig.

[Derek60]

Thanks guys so far, the idea to loan gear sounds good too, thanks Telecine.

[Catostylus]

If you want a good budget MM only one I suggest a Thorens MM001.

http://www.hifitrader.com.au/prod503.htm

I'm currently using an MM-005 which is the same thing plus the MC circuitry (I'm using it in MM mode with the Garrott). It's a good little bit of kit.

[cheekyboy]

Thanks guys so far, the idea to loan gear sounds good too, thanks Telecine.

Hi Derek,

I did send you a PM earlier this morning regarding Slee products and the Loaner Program, but looking at that message, it says you haven't read it yet. I presume you have access to PMs?

Cheers,

Keith

[THOMO]

Yaqin MS 22B valve phono stage.Cheap but very good.

They sound better than any of the mid priced SS/op amp based phono preamps I have heard.Easily better than my old Dynavector DV 75 for example.

[pulinap]

Yaqin MS 22B valve phono stage.Cheap but very good.

They sound better than any of the mid priced SS/op amp based phono preamps I have heard.Easily better than my old Dynavector DV 75 for example.

I second that....and use couple of NOS valves and you've got a very good phono.....

[quacker1982]

3rd the Yaqin MS 22B.  I use this one all the time, upgrade the valves.  Sounds very good.

[Stewyh]

Based on price and reviews, I just grabbed a Yaqin MS 22B off ebay, just waiting for it to arrive.

[Derek60]

Given the feedback and the price it is very tempting and I might just try one myself and to dabble in valves sounds interesting too..

I still intend to trial the Gram Amp 2 though as it sounds very promising.

[RockandorRoll]

I went through a few with my Planar 3

 

NAD PP2

Yaqin MS12B

Project TubeBox SEII

PS Audio GCHP

 

Id pick the Project everyday of the week. Such a versatile phono stage, tubes to upgrade and great to match the loading on the cart should you want to upgrade from the Ortofon anytime soon. It should fall in your price range as well.

 

The Yaqin was good but was a bit unreliable. (it blew out the left channel and took out one of the tubes in my integrated on its way down the line)

[TigerScent]

A reasonable budget one compared (stock standard) to the NAD and Cambridge Audio;  is the TC-750 : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TC-750-Phono-Preamp-85dB-S-N-Black-finish-version-/400085700506

 

I have replaced all the caps internally with Elna Silmic II caps, and resoldered all the connections with silver solder, and hard wired mic cable instead of RCA's to output to amp. with good interconnects. Sounds rather good for a budget preamp.

 

For a better solid state one; you might want to consider the Hagtech Bugle: http://www.hagtech.com/bugle.html

 

If you are thinking of 'valve' preamps, rather than the Yaqin, consider the Hagtech Cornet2: http://www.hagtech.com/cornet2.html

 

 It is a very well respected phono pre-amp. You might want to consider using SUT's for a added MC input scenario...

Edited January 5, 2013 by TigerScent

[ArthurDent]

If you are thinking of 'valve' preamps, rather than the Yaqin, consider the Hagtech Cornet2: http://www.hagtech.com/cornet2.html

 

He might not be into DIY but the Cornet2 does look interesting and certainly a step up from the Yaqin. I might have to look at it for a future project.

 

When all the parts arrive I'll be building one of these...

 

http://boozhoundlabs.blogspot.com.au/p/jfet-phono-preamp-kit.html

[Guest Muon]

Another vote for the BHL kit, easy to put together, and customisable with caps & resistors... if inclined to play with that aspect.

 

Run off batteries It's very quiet too, have 2x 12v SLA batteries in series for 24v, last for ages between charging.

 

Edit:It does have a high output impedance though.

Edited January 5, 2013 by datafone

[TigerScent]

He might not be into DIY but the Cornet2 does look interesting and certainly a step up from the Yaqin. I might have to look at it for a future project.

 

When all the parts arrive I'll be building one of these...

 

http://boozhoundlabs.blogspot.com.au/p/jfet-phono-preamp-kit.html

 

...yes, I have been meaning to try one of these out as well...., then their is also the Oatley mini-tube preamp...lots of fun...

 

...I keep reading mixed reports about the Yaqin; I think it would be dead easy to duplicate. No-where near as well thought out as the Cornet2...

Edited January 5, 2013 by TigerScent

[TigerScent]

Another vote for the BHL kit, easy to put together, and customisable with caps & resistors... if inclined to play with that aspect.

 

Run off batteries It's very quiet too, have 2x 12v SLA batteries in series for 24v, last for ages between charging.

 

Edit:It does have a high output impedance though.

... although I would try a good minimum 2amp controlled power supply ie: for laptops or tv etc...., instead of batteries.....

Edited January 5, 2013 by TigerScent

[ehtcom]

Yaqin MS 22B valve phono stage.Cheap but very good.

They sound better than any of the mid priced SS/op amp based phono preamps I have heard.Easily better than my old Dynavector DV 75 for example.

Agree that it is a good little phono stage for the money, but it is a hybrid design using an SS output stage.

[Upfront]

Agree that it is a good little phono stage for the money, but it is a hybrid design using an SS output stage.

When are you going to make a phono stage Earle?

[andyr]

... although I would try a good minimum 2amp controlled power supply ie: for laptops or tv etc...., instead of batteries.....

 

On what basis do you recommend this?    SLAs have a pretty low output resistance - lower than NiCad batteries, for instance ... how does a DC supply like you suggest, compare?

 

May also be difficult to get 24v DC from one?

 

I'd also be interested in seeing the ripple comparisons.

 

Regards,

 

Andy

Edited January 5, 2013 by andyr

[pulinap]

On what basis do you recommend this?    SLAs have a pretty low output resistance - lower than NiCad batteries, for instance ... how does a DC supply like you suggest, compare?

 

May also be difficult to get 24v DC from one?

 

I'd also be interested in seeing the ripple comparisons.

 

Regards,

 

Andy

 

......mmmm.... a big mistake.... to argue with Andy regarding batteries and/or DC.....   he is a seasoned campaigner when it comes to all things concerning battery power.....

[TigerScent]

On what basis do you recommend this?    SLAs have a pretty low output resistance - lower than NiCad batteries, for instance ... how does a DC supply like you suggest, compare?

 

May also be difficult to get 24v DC from one?

 

I'd also be interested in seeing the ripple comparisons.

 

Regards,

 

Andy

Hey Andy,

 

...you probably know more about this than me; however what I do know is that when I use a series of appropriate capacitors in parallel I can get a fairly smooth linear output...., which is what I would prefer to do. 

 

...I have noticed that some regulated power supplies are suitable enough with negligible or unoticable effects on sound, depending on the design etc... (which is why I said 'try')

 

...I believe however, where there would be any kind of ripple, a series of parallel caps would smooth them out...., and give a consistant voltage that would not drop off in time ...

 

This principle of this looks like a good idea: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/kingrex3/slap.html

Edited January 5, 2013 by TigerScent

[andyr]

Hey Andy,

 

...you probably know more about this than me; however what I do know is that when I use a series of appropriate capacitors in parallel I can get a fairly smooth linear output...., which is what I would prefer to do. 

 

...I have noticed that some regulated power supplies are suitable enough with negligible or unoticable effects on sound, depending on the design etc... (which is why I said 'try')

 

...I believe however, where there would be any kind of ripple, a series of parallel caps would smooth them out...., and give a consistant voltage that would not drop off in time ...

 

This looks like a good idea: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/kingrex3/slap.html

 

I would say I am nowhere near an "expert", TS, but the SLAP you gave the link to appears to be little more than a package containing an SLA with a sophisticated charging circuit?  So it does what I have to do with 4 separate devices:

1. an SLA (or rather, 2 in series, to give 24v),
2. a charger with 1w, 10ohm resistors in series with the SLAs, to limit the current inrush (which depends on the state of discharge of the batteries),
3. a substantial electrolytic on the DC rail, to reduce any ripple that might be inherent in the SLA output,
4. a switch to change state between "charging" and "play".

Which still leaves open, the issue of what is the output impedance of the wall-wart you suggested vs. an SLA?

 

Regards,

 

Andy