Find an old Counterpoint SA-2000 and have it modified. Or I can built you a DHT preamp with any option you prefer. Happy Listening.
Tube preamp with or without phono stage?
I’m looking to add a preamp to my two channel system. Currently I’m using an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 as the pre fed by a Simaudio Moon 110LP as the phonostage. My amp’s a Benchmark AHB-2 and speakers are Paradigm Persona 3F. The Personas and Benchmark are recent purchases and I’m rebuilding backwards. I’ve been targeting a clear, detailed, neutral and dimensional soundstage. Very low noise and distortion.
I’d now like to add a tube preamp and have a few questions. What are the pros and cons of the phonostage built into the pre vs as a separate? My amp only has balanced in’s but I can use an XLR to RCA adapter if necessary, are there any concerns with using the adapter? Finally, any recommendations up to about $3-5k with some flexibility?
Thanks
I’d now like to add a tube preamp and have a few questions. What are the pros and cons of the phonostage built into the pre vs as a separate? My amp only has balanced in’s but I can use an XLR to RCA adapter if necessary, are there any concerns with using the adapter? Finally, any recommendations up to about $3-5k with some flexibility?
Thanks
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- 36 posts total
Do you think an external phono stage will diminish the sound quality by requiring additional interfaces and set of cables? No. I have found quite the opposite to be true. A separate phono stage, with it's larger, isolated power supply, and gain/loading options, has always seemed to out-perform any on-board phono stage that I've tried. |
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-modwright-llc-ls-100-w-phono-stage-2017-05-06-preamplifiers-8... I own this and highly recommend it. Excellent phono stage. |
IMHO, this is similar to the issue of integrated amp vs. separate amp and pre-amp. I tend to generally agree with jmcgrogan2, although my Aesthetix Janus pre-amp, which combines most of the separate Calypso line-stage and Rhea phono-stage, does have on-the-fly gain and loading. Advantages are cost and shelf space. Separates would likely sound better, but I am satisfied. |
- 36 posts total