What outboard phono preamp are you using, if any?

[stereo_dog 951]

It's winter, I can't ride motorcycles, so my mind wanders thinking about stereo equipment, playback sources, etc., etc., etc. My new curiosity is now focused on outboard phono preamps. So many choices, inexpensive, expensive, solid state, tube buffered... the list goes on and on. I've always used onboard phono stages, but am wondering, am I missing something? 

 

I'd be interested in what everyone uses for an outboard phono preamp. The last one I owned was a Radio Shack battery powered unit...lol! I gave it to a friend of mine a few years back, I wonder if I can get it back???

 

Thanks for indulging me.

 

[jeffs 3,203]

I don't listen to vinyl often, but I want the capability.  My units are kind of low end.

At my desk I have a Project AD Box S2 Phono.  It's fine for the $100 I paid for it.  Has an analog channel which can be digitized or passed thru.

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-OSW2qtABAId/p_252ADPBS2B/Pro-Ject-AD-Box-S2.html

 

[kve777 6,849]

I have an EAR834P clone that works great for me. Bought it on eBay for $100 with a supposed hum. I loaded it with genuine vintage Telefunken 12AX7's and it's fine. I bet they had an external ground issue causing the hum. I star ground components, so no issue with hum here. Part of my all tube system, with a Conrad Johnson Premier 17LS2 Preamp, and a CJ MV-75 amp.

[AndrewJohn 10,010]

51 minutes ago, kve777 said:

I have an EAR834P clone that works great for me. Bought it on eBay for $100 with a supposed hum. I loaded it with genuine vintage Telefunken 12AX7's and it's fine. I bet they had an external ground issue causing the hum. I star ground components, so no issue with hum here. Part of my all tube system, with a Conrad Johnson Premier 17LS2 Preamp, and a CJ MV-75 amp.

 

Hi Kevin, 

 

Do you use that with your Ortofon 2M Black?

[AndrewJohn 10,010]

I use an Elac Alchemy Series PPA-2 Phono Preamp that supports multiple turntables, and both MC and MM cartridges.

 

Extreme flexibility dials in any cartridge.

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_970PPA2/ELAC-Alchemy-Series-PPA-2.html?tp=204

 

[kve777 6,849]

1 hour ago, AndrewJohn said:

 

Hi Kevin, 

 

Do you use that with your Ortofon 2M Black?

Yes.

[4krow 6,132]

God, have I ever been through the ninth circle of phono preamp hell. I could be a tour guide. One choice that is not a deal breaker money wise is a Pete Millett design. I tried maybe 4 different preamps, all good names, and that would be my first choice for maybe $500. I built two of them just they are kind of fun. Unlike the other beasts that I had to whip.

 

 

[Balok 1,604]

I use a Moon LP3 that i bought about 15 years ago. 

[BobTFM35 2,574]

Bellari PA550 Three Channel Preamp with Phono.

 

[stereo_dog 951]

Thanks for the responses. I have some homework to do. I believe I would like something that has some "adjustability" built in. I do swap out cartridges from time to time, just for fun. 

[4krow 6,132]

Good point on flexibility. What is your budget?

 

[stereo_dog 951]

8 minutes ago, 4krow said:

Good point on flexibility. What is your budget?

 

Not sure, I'd like to stay in the $500.00 or less range. More, if needed. 

[AndrewJohn 10,010]

On this thread..., anyone using a step-up transformer, like this? 

 

Anyone looking for this one?  Let me know.

 

[BobTFM35 2,574]

@stereo_dog You can start your quest here. They have a few that might interest you. Made in the U.S.A. Salt Lake City, UT

 

Welcome to Bellari Audio - Bellari Audio

[stereo_dog 951]

8 minutes ago, AndrewJohn said:

On this thread..., anyone using a step-up transformer, like this? 

 

Anyone looking for this one?  Let me know.

 

I've seen those, cartridge loading dial on the back? I believe it only gets the MC cart up to MM level?

[stereo_dog 951]

5 minutes ago, BobTFM35 said:

@stereo_dog You can start your quest here. They have a few that might interest you. Made in the U.S.A. Salt Lake City, UT

 

Welcome to Bellari Audio - Bellari Audio

Thanks. I've viewed the VP-130 in my initial searches.

[AndrewJohn 10,010]

8 minutes ago, stereo_dog said:

I've seen those, cartridge loading dial on the back? I believe it only gets the MC cart up to MM level?

 

While we don't have the instructions or Owner's manual in our library, the Spec Sheet tells what it does and is in the Manuals library, here: Carver MC-t Moving Coil and Z-1 Wide Band Coupler

 

Here's the back view:

 

[stereo_dog 951]

I've also been looking through these Pro-Ject models, they seem to have a variety of settings available. Pics are of tubed models, SS have the same features. 

 

[PMAT 2,021]

Rabbit Abyss. The hole was too small. 

[oldtexasdog 2,430]

I use a Music Surroundings Nova II and have had it for quite some time. It does MM/MC and has loading adjustments for just about anything out there. I shopped for a long time before I got it and have never looked back. It's a Michael Yee design and is dead silent.

[4krow 6,132]

Battery powered too! My favorite kind of phono set up.

[stereo_dog 951]

1 hour ago, oldtexasdog said:

I use a Music Surroundings Nova II and have had it for quite some time. It does MM/MC and has loading adjustments for just about anything out there. I shopped for a long time before I got it and have never looked back. It's a Michael Yee design and is dead silent.

So I understand, if you run it off battery power, it negates any AC current electrical interference?

[4krow 6,132]

That is exactly the beauty of such an animal. Some will want to discuss battery noise, but I never had any such issue. Especially in a phono preamp where the gain is high and the AC line current is a cat and mouse thing in some cases. Even the Pete Millett phono pre has a way to be battery operated. Not a new idea but a damned good one.

 

 

Edited January 24 by 4krow

[stereo_dog 951]

19 hours ago, 4krow said:

God, have I ever been through the ninth circle of phono preamp hell. I could be a tour guide. One choice that is not a deal breaker money wise is a Pete Millett design. I tried maybe 4 different preamps, all good names, and that would be my first choice for maybe $500. I built two of them just they are kind of fun. Unlike the other beasts that I had to whip.

 

 

I'm beginning to see what you mean... 

[4krow 6,132]

FWIW, I can tell you at least two different phono preamps that I had issues with. First is the Vincent PHO8. Has a separate power supply and everything. Quiet as a mouse, but not engaging or musical. I kind of had the same experience with one of their preamps too. Then there is the famous Jolida JD9 which has great sound, but the unit that I got used had a slight hum problem. Ok, let's just skip to the end. Don't do it. I lost my ass on this whole deal. 

 Now I don't recommend going expensive like I did (expensive for me anyway). I ended up with a Glass ware Audio product that I built that was more of PITA than anyone can imagine. Again, not to tell the whole story over again, but a bad bad idea for me!

 To do over again, the Pete Millett phono pre and yes, power it with battery. Oops, there is one catch though. I don't recall the PM phono to have much in the way of adjustment. Dammit. See? I thought that I had you covered, sorry. I will sleep on it.

 

 FWIW, if you are a builder, that sort of thing can be accomplished with extra effort.

 

OTD had it right in the first place. There are multiple listings for the Musical Surrounding Nova II phono preamp at eBay. $480 and up.

Edited January 24 by 4krow
Damned if I know