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Help me decide on phono preamp

I have enjoyed my current setup but have decided to try a seperate phono preamp to see what improvements in sq can be had. I have two options I can purchase locally in mind based on my current budget :

Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena ($400 used)

Lehmann Black Cube SE ll ($600 used)

My current setup is a Music Hall MMF 9.1 TT with a Clearaudio Maestro V2 cartridge playing through the built in MM/MC phono preamp in my Marantz PM - 11S3 integrated amp. 

Any opinions on either of these options?  The built in preamp has excellent reviews. Will either of these alternatives make a material difference or do I need to significantly increase my budget to have a real inpact?

Thanks
sjtm
agrippa
32 posts
 
It might be an idea to first quantify exactly what you feel your current setup is missing and hence what you want from a new phono stage.
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
479 posts
 
I have the Schiit Audio Mani phono stage. It is quite good, with excellent detail, separation of instruments, bass, dynamics, and soundstage. I stepped up from an economical Behringer PP400 phono preamp which I consider to be equivalent to what manufacturers put in their amps and the difference is night to day.

https://www.schiit.com/products/mani

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/schiit-audio-mani-phonostage/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4PvNVBUQGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaARB28ZHkw
asahitoro
217 posts
 
Lounge Audio LCR MKIII w/silver and mono switch.
fstein's avatar
fstein
77 posts
 
look on google for a  review
sjtm OP
79 posts
 
Agrippa - you are certainly correct it would help to define what is missing. If pressed, I would say “not much”, however my perception is limited by my experience. I am hoping to benefit from others whose experience is much more extensive than mine to help me prevent a false expectation. 

Like most system upgrades, the impact is limited by the rest of the components. I just upgraded my speakers and, while a casual listener would probably think there was no difference, I can hear a meaningful improvement in  SQ. 

A major outlay to upgrade the phono preamp may no be warranted without other significant component upgrades which I have no desire to do now. I was hoping someone would say “spend $1500 for a used Angel’s Breath Magnificator Preamp and your life will change”.  I have experienced 3 upgrades so far that were material ( amp, cartridge, speakers) and thought I might find a fourth here.

open to any suggestions.  

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