Phono Preamp Suggestions?

I've used a 90x for over three years. It's a very good cartridge. In the price range you name I would say the EAR 834, Ayre P5xe(I think that's the name), or possibly PS Audio GCPH. I bought the GCPH when I bought my whole analogue front end at once as a way to keep the cost down and it works so well I still can't decide when, or if, to upgrade from there. As long as you have a good power supply, accurate RIAA curve, and flexibility with gain, loading and other adjustments along with quiet performance, I'm not sure spending more money really gets you much of anything. Even though it's not sexy, the GCPH covers all of this at a price that leaves enough to budget some really nice vinyl.

I agree w/ Darkmoebius. Upgrading your preamp will improve the sound of your whole system and put you in a better position to choose the right phono pre. Heck, after upgrading the preamp you might not even feel the need to upgrade the phono pre. If you've got a mixed HT/2ch system there are excellent stereo preamps with HT bypass that will integrate seamlessly into your system.

I used to use a Rotel pre/pro as my preamp and continued to use it for HT duties, but a good stereo pre really brought my system to an entirely different level. Benefits were across the board and included a much more natural, full, and dynamic sound, better tonality/timber, dramatic increase in overall size, width, and depth of soundstage, quieter background, much improved high frequencies and increased refinement across the board. Overall the sound just became much more real and involving. This is why I said after improving your preamp you may not feel the need to upgrade your phono stage right away.

In any event, hope this helped and best of luck.

Thank you all for the responses so far.

I have considered upgrading the preamp to a 2-ch preamp with HT bypass, but the Denon prepro actually has a very clean preamp. While this may be my 2nd weakest link, I have thusfar assumed my current phono preamp is the weakest link.

Now, if I found a 2-ch preamp with HT bypass and a very good phono preamp, that would be an option.

But, at this point, I don't want to by any "compromise" pieces. I want to buy something now that I can be with happy for several years.

So far there have been some good suggestions on phono preamps. Where would the Pass Ono (used), compare to the current suggestions?

Are there any Preamp with included phono stage, and HT bypass, that campare with the EAR or Pass for example, in the $1000-$1800 range?

Darrell

IMO. The path you are on is full of compromises. I don't care what any HT guru tells you, HT gear is not going to do 2 channel as well and especially not vinyl.

But, it is your system and your budget and you are the one who needs to be happy with the sound in the end. I suggest you stay with SS as you'll not really get the full benefit of tubes. IMO.

Dan,

Thanks for the inputs. So do you have any suggestions along the 2-ch pre that is within my price range?

My original plan was to spend $1000-$1800 now and get a phono pre that will last for several years.

Later, if I decide my Prepro needs to be replaced, I planned to scrape up money and do that. If the Prepro is indeed my weak link, of course I will upgrade that before my phono pre.

For those that are recommending that I buy a 2-ch first, is this because you assume the Denon Prepro does not have a good preamp, or because all Prepros have subpar preamps?

Thanks,
Darrell