Phono amp needed. Suggestions?

[PYROphonez]

I was told to put this in the dedicated source components thread, so here it is:

Is it possible to get a nice phono amplifier for cheap? I'm moving a turntable into my room, and need a phono amp. I don't really want to spend more than $100 if possible, considering I'm just getting into the whole vinyl scene.

What possibilities are there?

Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Jahn]

if you have room, get a vintage Receiver with a built in phono stage. I like Marantz, and own a 2226. that said, if you aren't going to use speakers, try a preamp with a phono stage instead. I like the SAE preamp i have, and the SAE and Marantz cost me under 200 bucks combined, you can't beat that!

 

[PYROphonez]

Yeah, I was thinking about a receiver, since I do also have speakers. I could also have my pc hooked up. I really don't have much room though. Are there such things as small receivers? And how could I hook up my LDII++ to it so that I could switch from pc to vinyl at the flick of a switch/turn of a knob/push of a button? I'm sure if I had it in my possession I could figure it out, but I don't, and want to make sure I wont mess anything up.

 

[Jahn]

back in the day, they didn't make anything small LOL. but here's what you can do with a receiver-

AUX line in - PC
PHONO line in - turntable
line out or tape out - from the receiver to your headphone amp.

when you want to switch from PC to vinyl or vice versa, just select AUX or PHONO on your receiver, and your headphone amp should be pumping the right tune. and if you don't want the speakers blasting at the same time as your headphone amp, those receivers have a button you push and POOF no more speakers (line out/tape out still plays tho, so it's headphoning time!)

pretty versatile really. it's just the size/weight of those beasts.

 

[PYROphonez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn /img/forum/go_quote.gif back in the day, they didn't make anything small LOL. but here's what you can do with a receiver- AUX line in - PC PHONO line in - turntable line out or tape out - from the receiver to your headphone amp. when you want to switch from PC to vinyl or vice versa, just select AUX or PHONO on your receiver, and your headphone amp should be pumping the right tune. and if you don't want the speakers blasting at the same time as your headphone amp, those receivers have a button you push and POOF no more speakers (line out/tape out still plays tho, so it's headphoning time!) pretty versatile really. it's just the size/weight of those beasts.

Yeah, I thought that I'd need to use line/tape out. Thanks for all the help.
The hunt for a receiver begins.

 

[fran]

Heres a vote for a NAD PP2, You'll get it for around $70-80 or so. Great little phono stage, very versatile will take MM and MC carts, plugs in via a supplied wallwart. Takes an hour or so to warm up and then you're in comfort territory. It beats the phono stage in any of the integrateds I've ever heard (not that I've heard many).

Oh yeah and its tiny, about 4 x 3 x 11/2 or so

Fran

 

[PYROphonez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fran /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heres a vote for a NAD PP2, You'll get it for around $70-80 or so. Great little phono stage, very versatile will take MM and MC carts, plugs in via a supplied wallwart. Takes an hour or so to warm up and then you're in comfort territory. It beats the phono stage in any of the integrateds I've ever heard (not that I've heard many). Oh yeah and its tiny, about 4 x 3 x 11/2 or so Fran

I think I'm sold! Looks like a good item for my purposes. All I need now is to pick up a ground loop isolator, and find an RCA switchbox.
Where can I get a hold of one of these for $70-80 though? There's one on ebay for $100 shipped, but the seller has no feedback, which worries me.

 

[fran]

well I've seen them many times on ebay going for smallish money, both new and secondhand. Make sure you tick the "worldwide" button on the ebay search options. Don't think NAD make them any more but I could be wrong.

If you're into DIY have a look at the darwin source selector on www.twistedpearaudio.com. Looks like a very good piece of kit, gives you 6 inputs and 2 outputs.

Fran

 

[Blueiz]

Pyro... I got one of these switchboxes a few months ago and works great... nice all metal enclosure... company shipped immediately and it was a no hassle transaction...

http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc716pp.html

They also sell phono amps, but have no idea what the quality is...

 

[PYROphonez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueiz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Pyro... I got one of these switchboxes a few months ago and works great... nice all metal enclosure... company shipped immediately and it was a no hassle transaction... http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc716pp.html They also sell phono amps, but have no idea what the quality is...

Thanks for the suggestion.

I just came across this.

Does anybody know anything about these? The bottom one looks nice.

 

[Meyvn]

Most of the time I try to stay away from 'DeeJay' stuff, but I've been wrong before (like with the K81DJ). It's probably got pumped up bass for clubbing environments. I have the NAD PP-2 and it's solid. If you really want to be cheap, I'd sooner trust phonopreamps.com than Musician's Friend for anything in the hi-fi realm.

 

[proglife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fran /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heres a vote for a NAD PP2, You'll get it for around $70-80 or so. Great little phono stage, very versatile will take MM and MC carts, plugs in via a supplied wallwart. Takes an hour or so to warm up and then you're in comfort territory. It beats the phono stage in any of the integrateds I've ever heard (not that I've heard many). Oh yeah and its tiny, about 4 x 3 x 11/2 or so Fran

Parasound also makes the zPhono, which I have and have had no problem with.

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYROphonez /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the suggestion. I just came across this. Does anybody know anything about these? The bottom one looks nice.

The ART one does look good value, it's more of a studio module than a DJ thing as DJ mixers have preamps built in so it would be fairly good quality. The NAD mentioned is also good and is still made.
Vintage recievers are mcuh better value though on the whole. You could also look for first generation Japanese Mini component Systems like the Aiwa Microsystem which has the C22 pre-amp and DC power amp. Toshiba made the System 15 under the Aurex name and Mitsubishi made a good one as did Sony.
Half width 9" discreet components with separate pre and power amplifiers with a matching radio and cassette deck is what you are looking for. Generally any midi system with a CD player can be discounted as they had become more mass market by then. see here

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mitsubishi-Diato...em300055757674

 

[PYROphonez]

I might go with the DeeJayPre II like I showed above. It seems to have a very nice build quality. I may be able to get one for around $40-50 shipped, so we'll see. I'll let you know if/when I get it.

 

[PYROphonez]

I have a question for you guys.
Are there any decent turntables with built in phono amplifiers for around $100? It seems like my dad's been having issues with the turntable I was going to move up to my room. Anti-skating, etc...
What would you guys suggest? Do turntables with built-in phono stages sound alright?