2. amps-preamps
  3. 1098809541

Preamp with near-reference quality built in phono?

First some background. About 6 months ago I decided that I want to get off of the continuous upgrade path, and plotted a 2-3 year course for purchasing high quality, reference or near-reference components. The first itch I satisfied was my digital source; I threw away all of my "budget" transports, DACs, upsamplers, digital cables, etc., and purchased a high-quality single-box machine that does a number of things well and has the most musical red book playback I have heard. I then turned my attention to analog. I have not finalized my choice of arm and cartridge, but my table is flexible enough to support many.

Here is my current dilemma: I currently want to upgrade my phono preamp to something that compliments the rest of my system a little better, and that is flexible enough to work with as I settle in on a cartridge/arm combo (for example MM and MC would be nice). Concomitantly, I have begun to wonder if my decision to go with a passive linestage was a good one for the long term. I have read the arguments both for and against the passive, and having tried mine in someone else's system, I have found that its performance can be grossly impacted by changes in surrounding components. So my question is this: does a full function preamp, with phono, exist where the built in phono stage is comparable to best of breed, stand alone phono preamps? Since this is a long-term project, budget is not a huge concern, although I would like to stay under $10k if possible.
sdatch
raquel
841 posts
 
For that budget, two possibilities that immediately come to mind are ...

Tube: VAC Renaissance Mark II preamp with MM/MC phono board, if purchased used (it is a current production model that lists for $17k+ with phono board). Really well built and great company. Webpage: http://www.vac-amps.com/rsigpre.htm

Solid-State: Rowland Coherence II preamp and Cadence phono stage, purchased used (the Coherence II was discontinued three years ago / the Cadence is still in production - together, they listed for $17.8k). This is a separate preamp and phono stage combo, but within your budget. Ditto as to build quality and quality of company. I own this combo.

Webpages: http://www.jeffrowland.com/Coherence%20Preamp%20Page.htm and http://www.jeffrowland.com/Cadence%20Page.htm

Both the VAC and Rowland phono stages are flexible and can handle low output MC cartridges. Both the VAC and Rowland preamps are extremely transparent, which should be crucial to you if you are used to a passive preamp.

Good luck
sdatch OP
204 posts
 
Wow! Thanks for all of the informed responses. I guess I have somework, in the way of auditioning, to do. Given that there is an Aesthetix and Atma-Sphere dealer within driving distance for me, those may be first on my list. However, I recently heard the CAT SL-1 Mk III and was impressed. Atcually that encounter is what got me headed down this line of thinking in the first place.

As far as budget goes, my feeling is that if I hear something I like and its out of my range at the moment, I'll just wait a little longer and save up before pulling the trigger. Of course, given my luck the roof will probably blow off my house between now and then...
audiogoon
68 posts
 
Joule LA150. No question phono stage very close to the Rhea as well as Lamm LP2 in recent listening session at a friend's. A lot less cash than the other options as well.
hifimaniac
507 posts
 
Yeah, buy my VAC Phi 2.0 tube preamp with MM/MC phono. For those that have heard this new VAC series it is the best ever. Wait until the reviews come out, then you'll wish you had bought it at the price shown.
rec
319 posts
 
If you can live without a remote, I would would look at Klyne Audio Arts. Stan makes one of the best preamps with phonos in high end audio. http://www.klyne.com
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