Author Topic: Phono Preamp?  (Read 4596 times)

hans

  • Guitar Addict
  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 3523
  • Karma: +46/-18
Phono Preamp?
« on: December 17, 2017, 10:36:37 AM »
I'm sure a couple of you guys listen to vinyl so I'm wondering if any of you have an external preamp for your turntables. I've recently setup mine again but my latest receiver doesn't have a phono channel so I'm in need of a box. For the moment I grabbed an ARTdjpre ii just to get some signal going while I look for something more permanent. Do you guys have a recommended one or just built in pre on your receivers/TT?
This signature intentionally left blank.

KnuckleBuckett

  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 8674
  • Karma: +26/-259
  • [url=http://google.com]I search a lot[/url]
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2017, 09:40:56 AM »
My opinion is that they offer significant improvements across the board for the audio signal.

Which brand and model?  I suppose it depends upon what the budget is and the quality of the rest of the system.  Some solid budget names are Parasound, Musical Fidelity, Pro-Ject, Schiit, Rega, and maybe NAD.  In that I am a fan of vinyl, but never invested in it this is passed down from what I read online and in the high end rags.  I personally know the owner and engineer at Schiit. Silly name, but a great product line.  There is an amusing story behind the name.

What speakers and amplification are you using?

I am using a set of Wilson Watt Puppies and a Jeff Rowland receiver.  My front end is an OPPO universal opitical player.

micah

  • A real person, on the Internet.
  • Ass Wipe
  • Posts: 6915
  • Karma: +58/-55
  • Truth cannot contradict truth.
    • micahj.com
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2017, 11:20:44 PM »
...or you could just run spotify like normal people and use this https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/dustyScratchedVinylNoiseGenerator.php

 :D
"I possess a device, in my pocket, that is capable of accessing the entirety of information known to man.  I use it to look at pictures of cats and get in arguments with strangers."

KnuckleBuckett

  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 8674
  • Karma: +26/-259
  • [url=http://google.com]I search a lot[/url]
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2017, 08:08:05 PM »
 :suicide2:

hans

  • Guitar Addict
  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 3523
  • Karma: +46/-18
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2017, 09:50:20 PM »
It's just my soundbar/sub at the moment. I've slimmed down my living room setup. This will probably go live in my "studio" though which will feed the M-Audio BX8 monitors.

I also have it setup to stream my Google Music but there's just something about the record playing. It makes no sense.

I do have some old LPs though that I can't find online and likely won't so I was thinking about getting around to digitizing them though if I can upgrade my setup a bit.

I got a NAD 5120 with a Grado MT+ cartridge from a relative a while back.

The ART preamp seems to work OK for now but the power supply that came with it had something rattling around in it. I have some other power supplies from other recording gear that I hooked up but I'll probably have to return it and swap it out for something that doesn't rattle. I'm pretty sure it's just some random plastic piece inside the brick but I'd rather not have it in there.

I have some random stuff like cleaning supplies etc coming from Amazon and pondering the Emotiva XPS-1 but the Pro-Ject (Box S or Phono Box USB) and NAD options look pretty nice too.
This signature intentionally left blank.

hans

  • Guitar Addict
  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 3523
  • Karma: +46/-18
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2017, 10:55:24 PM »
The Schiit Mani looks really nice actually so that's a leading contender. Have you used one? I'm curious if you think it's good for the budget?
This signature intentionally left blank.

KnuckleBuckett

  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 8674
  • Karma: +26/-259
  • [url=http://google.com]I search a lot[/url]
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2017, 08:30:14 AM »
I have not heard the unit yet, however have no doubt that the reviews are correct..  I would not be afraid of anything in that brand.  Comes with an excellent warranty and a 15 day money back.  Go for it.

The last four years or so have really been focused on improving my PC and headphone setup.  I ended up with a couple of sets of headphones.  One from OPPO and another from Audeze.  I ended up with a HiFi-M8 for a DAC AMP. 

hans

  • Guitar Addict
  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 3523
  • Karma: +46/-18
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2017, 07:48:34 PM »
I ordered the Mani. Talked with my mother-in-law's brother (who the NAD came from) and he also said it's supposed to be a really good pre. So we'll see how that works. They already shipped it today too so that was super quick. I might read some more reviews but perhaps pick up the Loki or the Magni 3 too.
This signature intentionally left blank.

KnuckleBuckett

  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 8674
  • Karma: +26/-259
  • [url=http://google.com]I search a lot[/url]
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2017, 06:27:17 AM »
Nice work!! Bet you dig it.

hans

  • Guitar Addict
  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 3523
  • Karma: +46/-18
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2017, 10:40:02 PM »
The Schiit arrived today and what an amazing piece of Schiit it is. It's subtle and maybe all in my head but I think it makes the records sound just a bit clearer than the ART. I'm going to try and return the ART now for the junk PSU so hopefully Amazon takes that back without hassle.

I think I might try and grab the Loki too.

Now I'm looking into new speaker options. The soundbar just isn't cutting it for this sort of thing. Not sure if I'm going to go floor or bookshelf. Probably bookshelf since I'm not sure I'll convince the wife to put floor speakers in the living room. I've been reading some good things about the Elac Debut E6 pair that's pretty cheap and might be worth trying out. I might bring up my old Alesis monitors for now though. I also need to design a new entertainment center with the speakers in mind.
This signature intentionally left blank.

KnuckleBuckett

  • Jackass In Charge
  • Posts: 8674
  • Karma: +26/-259
  • [url=http://google.com]I search a lot[/url]
Re: Phono Preamp?
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2017, 08:53:02 AM »
Bide your time and bump you budget to grab a set quality monitors and I think it will be worth the wait.

Take a look at the KEF LS50 series, Audience The ONE series, Monitor Audio Silver Series, B&W CDM 1NT, Focal Chorus series, and Linn Majic 100 series, ELAC b6 would be good places to start.  An added advantage to most if not all of these is that they are visually very attractive in most cases.  I would not be in the least afraid to get them on Audiogon.com.  I have both sold and purchased almost all my gear there for many years.  Brands that I would avoid Polk, Cabridge, Audioengine, Klipsch, Sonus Faber, and Pioneer.  Keep an eye on the average resistance of the set making sure you system can drive them.  Always remember they might be rated at X Ohms, however that varies dramatically throughout the throw of the drivers.


A few sloppy links (oink)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PHEDS62/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=themasswi0f-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00EPDMDZ8&linkId=5ae71ea1135466a11e60c0ae5939e8db&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014GSEQ06/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=themasswi0f-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B014GSEQ06&linkId=5b1ad400bd0e6a9f84d69826366ecfed

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-b-w-cdm-1nt-bookshelf-speakers-black-pair-10452-2017-12-08-speakers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-focal-chorus-807v-bookshelf-speakers-rosewood-pair-11127-2017-12-27-speakers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-focal-chorus-807-w-prestige-special-edition-monitor-2017-12-26-speakers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-stand-mount-speakers-2017-12-09-speakers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-focal-profile-908-bookshelf-speakers-signature-finish-3170-2017-12-28-speakers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-linn-majik-109-bookshelf-speakers-cherry-pair-w-stands-11032-2017-12-14-speakers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-beautiful-2017-12-18-speakers