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Venturing into Vinyl - Phono Stage Questions

Well, I'm finally taking the plunge. Albert Porter's Tuesday night sessions have effectively ruined digital for me, and I've decided to try analog for myself. But, I do have some basic equipment questions, and would appreciate the suggestions of the Audiogon community...

Right now, I am using Vandersteen 2CE's with a Rogue amp and an AES tube output CD player. I think I have found a turntable, but would appreciate some suggestions on a tubed preamp and phono stage. I'd like to stay between $550-750 for both, and it seems like my options are as follows. (1) Get an older pre with built in phono stage, or (2) go with lower cost separates.

So my questions are... How good are the built-in phono stages on some of the older preamps out there (I'm thinking older Audio Research, CJ, Audible Illusions, etc.)? How do they compare with some of the newer, budget level stand alone phono stages (e.g. Lehmann, Channel Island, Bottlehead, Hagerman, etc.)? I'm very interested in trying out the DIY kits out there (specifically the Bottlehead Foreplay or the Consonance Basie) for a preamp, so if the newer budget stuff is really as good as people seem to say, I'd be more than comfortable going that route (DIY pre and separate phono).

Any advice and recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric
ewha
sberger
146 posts
 
i too have basically enjoyed using the phonomena for the past year. if you have a mc cart, having the flexiblitly to change resistance settings is pretty cool. however, i always felt that at the end of the day, im still missing something with it, so last week i decided to purchase a dynavector p75 through music direct. it has been getting some incredible reviews, mostly in europe, and supposedley competes with units 2-3 times it's price. we'll see, but i had the dough available so decided to take the plunge.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
In your budget, will be very hard to get a low enough noise floor w/ tube phono stages. I use a Monolithic PS-1 phono stage. I chose it for its musicality and designers' reputation. It is a stellar performer. Just add a good power cord and cones.
shersta
140 posts
 
I used to own a cj pv-10 linestage (and still own vandy 2ce's). When I got into vinyl, I added a monolithic ps-1 phono stage (and later the power supply). You could probably pick up this combo for about 850$. However, in an effort to downsize my rack, I sold the above and bought an audible illusions m2 with built in phono stage for 400$. They're both good set ups, but overall, I prefer the audible illusions--and it's half the price! For a couple hundred bucks more, you could step up to the audible illusions m3, which has more inputs and a seperate power supply. Neither of these setups will support low output mc carts. My vinyl rig is a rega p25 and dynavector 10x5 cart. Have fun, and if possible try to listen to a couple of different setups in your price range to see what sounds good to you.
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
Doug, regarding your post.

kudo's to Albert for showing another music lover the way. Of course he doesn't really fight fair does he. Maybe he should buy a Meitner to be more evenhanded

I didn't notice a Meitner in YOUR system either :^).

Maybe you know (as I do) that you can spend $20,000.00 and not close the gap between digital and the best analog. Instead of being mad at it, I choose a cheap player and just enjoy it for what it is.
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
By the way, Eric is one of the brightest and nicest young men I have met in many years.

I guarantee he will become famous, I'm absolutely convinced. Look for him to become a Federal Judge, appointed to the Supreme Court or play an important role in politics.
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