Dedicated phono-pre for MM only?

Hi Kirkus,
>>> ... assume the "perfect storm" where all the errors just happen to add up in the worst way.<<<

"Monte Carlo" analysis, OK... the inventor must have lost it ALL then - worst case.
BUT he did not consider any form of 'synergy'. The importance of synergy has been pointed out over and over, in fact lots and lots of times by Raul himself :-)
Must be some concession to this 0.075% perfection.

I worked in pcb, and later semiconductor assembly, that gives me that practical bias what can be done if it gets 'commercially' viable.
No way to have much better then 1% components on a tape-fed bonder doing SMDs, as I mentioned earlier.
Also no way to start improving tolerances after the stuff (not only SMDs) are on the pcb. (Note: >3x rework = reject)

I have a pretty good idea, that this is where some realism in terms of tolerances has to prevail, meaning ALL hand build, bespoke, and nothing done 'commercially' will qualify --- seriously, that doesn't float my boat yet.

Why? Because a lot of 'bespoke' products have plenty more hidden QA issues then something more 'commercial', where errors have been weeded out to a much higher degree.

Pablovila, Your list of candidate MM preamps looks like the one I posted on 6/26. I consider it incomplete. Below $1500 we also have the PS Audio GCPH and the Graham Slee Reflex, discussed above. Just to make it more confusing, I wonder how some of the highest end preamps from the "good old days" would fare if one were to upgrade the power supplies and the parts in the signal path. I am thinking of early Audio Research, for one example.

Thank you very much for the additions Lewm. I've already made an offer for an Allnic H 1200. Let's see if the seller accepts it and, eventually how it sounds with the Soundsmith The Voice. Pablo.

Hi,
I'm still looking for a clue, given that MM carts like the 'simpler' single-ended designs, and some that find:
- the fewer components in the signal path the better- it could make for a 'simple' but great MM only design. (Don't forget a tube)

In fact, having mentioned Jadis might just be that, alas too much $$$$ for their flavour of genius...

Next up I'd think of Tim de Paravicini's EAR834P MM only, as some would say the step-up for MC could very easily be bettered. So for MM only - no need.

One thing might be power supply 'simplicity' (no regulation at all?), and some other circuit issues, that sprouted a number of aftermarket mods.

Are there any other such designs we could add to this one?

Axel

What about the Audion Premier?