Super cheap phono preamp recommendations

[Tone Malone]

Hi brains trust,

 

I'm setting up a stereo system for a friend. Hopefully they'll be able to upgrade over time but for now they're on a very tight budget. 

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for a preamp in the $50 or under range? It will most likely fit between a decent (loaner) turntable and a set of Edifier R1280DBS (a $200 powered speaker)  - so main thing is that the preamp is reliable and isn't the "weak link".

 

Needless to say, mm only is fine!

 

Thanks

[wasabijim]

https://www.jaycar.com.au/phono-stereo-preamplifier/p/AC1591 

 

[wasabijim]

or this one - cheaper still and battery powered which generally infers quieter operation / less background noise (but not necessarily better performance at this price range) 

 

good luck!

 

https://www.jaycar.com.au/stereo-phono-pre-amp-with-riaa-compensation/p/AC1649?pos=4&queryId=3655893a05e2978745e9b947c50a71fa

 

 

[audiofeline]

The Jaycar phono preamp shown in the first reply is sold under a wide number of brand names.

Here is a discussion on this device, the consensus is that it delivers good quality (within reason) for the cheap price. 

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by audiofeline

[Tone Malone]

Thanks for the suggestions. The  other ones I found were made by Nobsound and Fosi ... any feedback/experience on those?

[muon*]

If you can find a used Realistic Model 42-2101A in Australia they have a following, and are not expensive.

[Candyflip]

One of these secondhand would do the biz - under $100 locally.

 

I had one but never hooked it up to anything decent -so can't personally recommend it, but, plenty do.

 

https://www.amazon.com/ART-DJPREII-Phono-Preamplifier/dp/B000AJR482 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Candyflip

[Guest]

15 hours ago, Tone Malone said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for a preamp in the $50 or under range? It will most likely fit between a decent (loaner) turntable and a set of Edifier R1280DBS (a $200 powered speaker)  - so main thing is that the preamp is reliable and isn't the "weak link".

 

My gut feeling is that it will be the weak link at this price point, regardless of which one. But if it's only reliability you are concerned about and not actual sound quality then that's a bit different. It's clearly a very affordable system - would  a more entry level turntable with a built-in phono pre be a solution? Audio-technica, or Yamaha come to mind.

[TemaadAudio]

Hi, The Audio Salon at $35 is about the best sounding phono under $200. All you need to do is add a box & RCA's. will run off of a 12 to 18 VDC power supply or better still a battery. 

 

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiRx6C9-vT5AhXOfysKHVtXCa4YABAJGgJzZg&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESbOD2-06LMaM4I7GaYztIHQZayR95ffEg8How13Yiet-eRL5CTrgK5xLlgVdfzxi5dnt0sy0ryB20K8pDtqTA97wYFBk0NmCoO3EGXCxe3AoEd1wC1oIOXNspPKJKLrL_JyRZLfUu6XDsw0SEmA&sig=AOD64_0g2HHx-tPOR6Ybk9UK37o84Sl4OA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjQ7Zq9-vT5AhWfUGwGHdMOD3UQ9aACKAB6BAgBEEI&adurl=https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiRx6C9-vT5AhXOfysKHVtXCa4YABAJGgJzZg&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESbOD2-06LMaM4I7GaYztIHQZayR95ffEg8How13Yiet-eRL5CTrgK5xLlgVdfzxi5dnt0sy0ryB20K8pDtqTA97wYFBk0NmCoO3EGXCxe3AoEd1wC1oIOXNspPKJKLrL_JyRZLfUu6XDsw0SEmA&sig=AOD64_0g2HHx-tPOR6Ybk9UK37o84Sl4OA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjQ7Zq9-vT5AhWfUGwGHdMOD3UQ9aACKAB6BAgBEEI&adurl=https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiRx6C9-vT5AhXOfysKHVtXCa4YABAJGgJzZg&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESbOD2-06LMaM4I7GaYztIHQZayR95ffEg8How13Yiet-eRL5CTrgK5xLlgVdfzxi5dnt0sy0ryB20K8pDtqTA97wYFBk0NmCoO3EGXCxe3AoEd1wC1oIOXNspPKJKLrL_JyRZLfUu6XDsw0SEmA&sig=AOD64_0g2HHx-tPOR6Ybk9UK37o84Sl4OA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjQ7Zq9-vT5AhWfUGwGHdMOD3UQ9aACKAB6BAgBEEI&adurl=https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiGlZ_q-vT5AhUjRWwGHSa5B5gQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aliexpress.com%2Fi%2F32614196635.html&usg=AOvVaw3inL9QYMh3rnWUVPP6O-Td

 

Cheers

[Vinylear]

Behringer make a good one only $45 available in Australia.

 

https://djcity.com.au/product/behringer-pp400-phono-preamp/?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaSRdvNtT4u-yR4ZKXYw95Rl5xeqEtJNGoOyFCTSgRLDpk-TwVg3B9RoCKrEQAvD_BwE

 

A friend of mine has one teamed up with a battered Technics SL1200 with an Ortofon concord cart old Pioneer surround sound amp and some old Marantz 80's thumpers. Pretty good sound for what it is.

[Tone Malone]

On 02/09/2022 at 7:39 AM, Marc said:

 

My gut feeling is that it will be the weak link at this price point, regardless of which one. But if it's only reliability you are concerned about and not actual sound quality then that's a bit different. It's clearly a very affordable system - would  a more entry level turntable with a built-in phono pre be a solution? Audio-technica, or Yamaha come to mind.

It's a good question. I'm going to suggest two options to my friend, the Audio Technica lp60 - or they can try out my old turntable on extended loan, a recently serviced Yamaha P350.

 

The P350 ain't going to win any beauty pageants but I'd back it to outperform any new TT under $500, and if they chose to upgrade later on the TT would be up to the journey (even if the preamp wasn't).

 

 

[Tone Malone]

The budget vinyl starter system is live! This weekend I set up the Yamaha p350 turntable with the Edifier 1280DBS, linked via a super cheap Fosi Audio "Fosi Box X1" phono stage. The X1 cost about $35, only fractionally more than a vinyl and stylus cleaning kit.

 

I was impressed by the X1 to be honest. We played both vinyl and digital sources through the Edifiers and, through that comparison, I got the impression the phono stage was more than holding its own. It also seemed "well behaved" and quite resistant to hum. 

 

One day I'd be curious to try the Fosi in a better system, but if you're ever looking for a $30-40 phono stage to get you by, I'd add the X1 to your shortlist.

[Grant Slack]

Hi Tone, 

 

just tell your friend that...

 

 

 

cheers

Grant