Vinyl Guru's, recommend me a quality phono preamp

[scott_d_m]

Hello,

I'm looking to get into vinyl and need some recommendations for a quality and inexpensive starter phono preamp. Because I'm new to vinyl, I'll be most likey sticking to mm cartridges for now but I'm open to mm/mc phono preamps as well.

Thanks for your help,

Scott

P.S. I should note that I have my eye on a THORENS TD-166 Mk II /w THORENS TONEARM & GRADO CARTRIDGE. If I don't manage to acquire the Thorens, I will probably purchase a P2.

[cstan]

i just got into vinyl & got a project phono box 2, their
entry level (read: cheapest) phono pre for $110 (that
was a demo model, it normally is $130), it sounds pretty good.

my research online from a few months ago said the next step
up is the cambridge audio 640p, or if you wanna go tube
the bellari model. the NAD models seem to be less favored
these days, and there are more pro-ject models as well.

there are obv alot more models then that, and you can pretty
much spend as much as you want (like with any other piece
of audio gear)

good luck

-carl

[Redo]

This is what I'm using:

Phonopreamps.com TCC TC-760LC Details and Hookup


It works great, but I can't say how much it stacks up to other phono preamps.

[jp11801]

the two I would look at are the bottlehead seduction if you have some soldering skills or a friend that does or the dynavector pre is good as well. The phono pre is a pretty important piece of gear and should not be skimped on if you can avoid it . I would buy the table arm and phono pre used but get your cart new if you can.

[scott_d_m]

Originally Posted by jp11801

the two I would look at are the bottlehead seduction if you have some soldering skills or a friend that does or the dynavector pre is good as well. The phono pre is a pretty important piece of gear and should not be skimped on if you can avoid it . I would buy the table arm and phono pre used but get your cart new if you can.

That's advice I plan on following.

Thank your opinions gents. I'll definately check out your recommendations.

[nikongod]

There is a bottlehead seduction kit for sale on audiogon. highly recommended bit of gear.

[jsaliga]

Originally Posted by Redo

This is what I'm using:

Phonopreamps.com TCC TC-760LC Details and Hookup


It works great, but I can't say how much it stacks up to other phono preamps.

I think it sounds as least as good as a Dynavector P75 ($750), since I owned both for a short time. I have since sold the Dynavector and am still using the TC-760LC. I also like the fact that it has a variable gain control, which is really useful for doing needle drops to a PC.

--Jerome

[ssportclay]

Originally Posted by scott_d_m

Hello,

I'm looking to get into vinyl and need some recommendations for a quality and inexpensive starter phono preamp. Because I'm new to vinyl, I'll be most likey sticking to mm cartridges for now but I'm open to mm/mc phono preamps as well.

Thanks for your help,

Scott

P.S. I should note that I have my eye on a THORENS TD-166 Mk II /w THORENS TONEARM & GRADO CARTRIDGE. If I don't manage to acquire the Thorens, I will probably purchase a P2.

These days I mostly use the battery powered Hagerman Bugle that comes without a case. The sound quality is hard to beat. Beyond that you can get the slightly thinner sounding Cambridge Audio 640P which is always a good choice for people who don't want to deal with batteries.

[Yikes]

Inexpensive:
Bellari VP129 Tube phone preamp

Not really M/C, but if you are looking at a Thorens most M/C cartridges are a mismatch with their tonearms.

For even less the NAD works well.

[Yikes]

For more money, but still moderately inepensive is the SimSudio

SoundStage! Vinyl Word - Simaudio Moon LP5.3 Phono Stage (6/2007)