[loghead]

I just recently set up a new turntable for my bedroom so I can enjoy vinyl through headphones while relaxing in bed. It is separate from my main audio system which is set up in my entertainment system, so I need a new phono pre-amp. Here is my set-up:
 
Technics 1200 mkII turntable with a Shure M97xE magnetic cartridge and just ordered a new Schitt Asgard headphone amp.
 
What suggestions can you guys make for me? Budget is not a huge issue, but I'd rather get as good a value as possible while still getting as high quality a sound as possible as well. I am well aware of the law of diminishing returns as it relates to audiophile equipment. I'd love to save money where possible, but ultimately high fidelity sound takes precedent.
 

 

[loghead]

Ok, so I have done a little searching and have found that the following tend to be recommended widely. Perhaps this will help focus the response in this thread. Here are the three that I have considered thus far and seem to have good reviews:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-USB-Preamplifier/dp/B000YEI3X8/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_1
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00106JE1E/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A2763VQ7SN6URD
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A36LQ4/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A121YN9IMLF9Q
 
 
 
So, I see that the first is $200. The Pro-ject is USB enabled which might make recording to digital format easier (or would that reduce the sound quality of the recording?). It certainly wouldn't be it's primary use, but it would be nice to have when I wanted it.
 
The cambridge is $179.
 
Finally the TC-750 is a mere $43!
 
 
Perhaps someone could shed light on the trade offs between the above. I'd obviously love to nab the TC at only $43 if it can reasonably be expected to produce the same quality sound as the other two. Any other recommendations would be welcomed, and all advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[loghead]

One more question. It looks like the Pro-Ject also has a DAC if I'm not mistaken. Would this added capability add to the overall value (I don't yet have a DAC), or would I be better off looking elsewhere for a standalone DAC? I don't really have a need for a DAC at this time as my only sources are vinyl and a ps3 for watching blu-ray, but I may decide to listen through my laptop every now and then.

 

[BaudlyDamage]

Sorry i cant answer your question but ive got one for you! im going to aquire a turn table, do i need the preamp to run if im going to use a heapdhone amp with rca inputs?

 

[Norman]

The Dynavector P75 and the Musical Fidelity V-Dac also seems to be quite highly regarded.

 

[Bones13]

The Cambridge Audio 540p and 640p are great low cost phono stages.  Very well reviewed at the price level.  (640p adds MC input, your cartridge is MM and will work on either.)
 
You should be able to run the output of your phono stage straight into your amp.  A pre-amp would be to switch between sources or add in a volume control.  The phono stage out is a line level source.

 

[pfink]

 
Quote:

One more question. It looks like the Pro-Ject also has a DAC if I'm not mistaken. Would this added capability add to the overall value (I don't yet have a DAC), or would I be better off looking elsewhere for a standalone DAC?

 
 
The Pro-ject doesn't have a DAC, it's got an ADC which is the reverse of a DAC. It converts the analog signal from the turntable to digital for recording to a computer via the USB output.
 
Pro-Ject also sells a Phono Box II without USB for $159:
http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-II-Phono-Preamp

I've got a Pro-Ject Phono Box II USB and an RPM 1.3 Genie turntable on order. I should be getting them sometime next week, I'll report back on the Phono Box.
 

 

[BaudlyDamage]

doest matter anymore 
 
was going to buy the turntable on ebay but got outbid by 2.50 because i had to take my mother out for lobster rolls. The thing was being sold by a guy who's late wife had it. it was a   denon DP - 45F with grado symphony cart rage. i lost to a guy by 2.50$. he spent 127.50$ i am completely enraged. utterly speechlessly enraged 

 

[hodgjy]

Yes, but your you can never be too nice to your mother.  Some day, the memories of those lobster rolls will mean more to you than a turntable.
 
Quote:

doest matter anymore 
 
was going to buy the turntable on ebay but got outbid by 2.50 because i had to take my mother out for lobster rolls. The thing was being sold by a guy who's late wife had it. it was a   denon DP - 45F with grado symphony cart rage. i lost to a guy by 2.50$. he spent 127.50$ i am completely enraged. utterly speechlessly enraged 

 

[Uncle Erik]

Another phono stage worth looking at is the NAD PP2. I had one at the beginning and was very happy with it. They're reasonable and get good reviews.

You should also browse the used phono stages at Audiogon. You might turn up a nice deal. My second phono stage was a Conrad-Johnson PV2 preamp. I think I grabbed it for around $300. Those are great because you get tubes, as well as the opportunity to connect two headphone amps to the tape loops out. Very handy. I kept the PV2 for a second system in the desert - couldn't bring myself to part with it! So look at some of the used preamps at Audiogon, too. You might get a good phono stage and a lot more.

 

[BaudlyDamage]

that lobster roll was not worth 400$ xD

 

[techenvy]

i have the cam 640p, and i say meh,  gets job done but isnt quiet and is overpriced imo.   i do like its chasis,  and i may keep for my other room because of mc capability, but i want to upgrade to a ps audio phono stage or something better if anyone has suggestions to better the ps audio, let me know
 
good luck

 

[Dalamar]

My advise: after the $60 mark, you're wasting your money. And $60's still pushing it.

 

[Meliboeus]

I've compared the tcc-750 to the Project Phono Box SEII, which is nothing special but still 4x as expensive, and i struggled hard to find any difference, perhaps the Project sounded a bit warmer but it's probably just placebo; I even recorded some samples and compared the spectra, they look exactly the same.
 
This led me to draw two possible conclusions : either it's just that the Project is an overpriced unit or you have to spend much more on a phono stage to get something better than the surprisingly good tc-750.
 
Buy the Tc-750 and try it, if you're not satisfied you can just upgrade with close to no loss as it's really dirt cheap.
 
 
All above referred to MM amplification, MC can get much more critical obviously.

 

[DannyBuoy]

I've got a ProJect Phono Box SE sitting on my desk behind me which I bought new and used from 2004 to 2010. When I moved from High Output Moving Coil Cart (Sumiko Blue Point Special) to the Denon 103 (low output moving colil) I went ahead and bought a ProJect Tube Box II from a guy on Audiogon for $250 (I've ordered two sets of tubes for it since then and have had a lot of fun).
I paid $200 for the Phono Box SE back in 2004 and I would be willing to sell it for $80 if you are interested. I find there are tons of opinions on Audiogon and I would suggest you read what you can first. There are a lot of people who swear Project stuff bites but that is their opinion (and some of them might not have ever listened to one).
 
I have a Project RPM6SB turntable and have enjoyed it almost daily since 2004 so I have no complaints about Project Stuff, but Unkle Eric is right Audiogon is a fantastic place for info on analog (right now I am waiting for my Sumiko Talisman S cart to get here that I bought from someone on Audiogon)...