I have been playing with an Aesthetix Janus. It is a good old-fashioned "full-function" preamplifier, which is what we used to call a "preamplifier", period. It has adjustable phono gain and phono resistive loading, so you can use any cartridge your heart desires. And it has a nifty remote control which allows you to control volume and many other functions from your seat. It also has both balanced and SE outputs and inputs, galore. It's a great tool; you can probably find a second-hand one for under $3000. One box does all. Note that the linestage section is a truly active device; many/most of the ones mentioned here (Manley, Allnic, for example) are really fancy phono stages with the option of using the volume control as a passive linestage. Passive linestages have their good and bad features. The bad part is that they are extremely sensitive to input and output impedance, interconnect length and capacitance. I would not think of such a device as a real full-function preamp. Great phono stages but not a "real" preamp.
Phono Pre multiple mc inputs+volume control
As you may see from the system link below, I am using full Asr electronics. I like them very much.
Lately I am trying to buy a third tonearm for my turntable. Asr Phono accepts only two inputs. For the third tonearm, I may buy another phono pre, I may use sut with a MM phono pre, or I may switch cables, or I may buy a rca switcher etc.
But, I am thinking another tempting option;
Phono pre which has a multiple inputs(mc preferable i am not using mm cartridges), volume control and a power amp. Which seems very nice becoming smaller, lots of boxes(batterys, power supply I am dealing right now)will vanish, which would be nice in my situation. I have to deal with only two boxes(maybe three).
I am searching this kind of phono pre amp but there are very few I guess. I found Manley Steelhead, Musical Surrounding Super Nova II. I do not want to make a sacrifice from my sonic level, so Super NovaII is not an option(yes I tried, ASR is very much better). I do not have a chance to try Manley, and I am not sure Manley is a strong rival to Asr.
I really like to hear your ideas and recommendations. I am quite sure there are other options in the market.
Also one of my friend told me to buy an high quality MM phono stage(with a volume control)+rca swicther+ sut for cartridges. I also like to hear your ideas about it.
In the end I do not want a sonic sacrifice, maybe better but not less :) Only using less electronic is tempting, I may use a much smaller rack between speakers that way.
Lately I am trying to buy a third tonearm for my turntable. Asr Phono accepts only two inputs. For the third tonearm, I may buy another phono pre, I may use sut with a MM phono pre, or I may switch cables, or I may buy a rca switcher etc.
But, I am thinking another tempting option;
Phono pre which has a multiple inputs(mc preferable i am not using mm cartridges), volume control and a power amp. Which seems very nice becoming smaller, lots of boxes(batterys, power supply I am dealing right now)will vanish, which would be nice in my situation. I have to deal with only two boxes(maybe three).
I am searching this kind of phono pre amp but there are very few I guess. I found Manley Steelhead, Musical Surrounding Super Nova II. I do not want to make a sacrifice from my sonic level, so Super NovaII is not an option(yes I tried, ASR is very much better). I do not have a chance to try Manley, and I am not sure Manley is a strong rival to Asr.
I really like to hear your ideas and recommendations. I am quite sure there are other options in the market.
Also one of my friend told me to buy an high quality MM phono stage(with a volume control)+rca swicther+ sut for cartridges. I also like to hear your ideas about it.
In the end I do not want a sonic sacrifice, maybe better but not less :) Only using less electronic is tempting, I may use a much smaller rack between speakers that way.
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- 13 posts total
- 13 posts total