A decent preamp to complete my setup?

bacom15

Being in a remote area and patient my advice is order yourself a copy of Robert Harley's Complete Guide to High-End Audio https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-High-End-Audio/dp/0978649362  That's what I did, and it not only saved me a lot of time and money, but helped me become a much better listener and better able to evaluate components. Its well worth the time and money just for what you will learn about listening.

And budgeting. You really need to learn about budgeting! Everyone, but everyone, gets it all wrong. Except Harley. Who by the way, was one of the all-time great reviewers for Stereophile many years ago.

Let me give you an example about how budgeting works. Actual example. Friend at work wants to buy her husband a really nice present, whole stereo, $2500 budget. Wants me to do everything. (Good call.) 

So with that I budget out more or less as follows:
20% speakers $400
20% integrated $400
20% CD $400
20% speaker cables & interconnect $400
20% power cords & Cones $400

If you notice those numbers don't add up to $2500 that's because I take $500 right off the top for my time and expertise.

Those figures aren't carved in stone. In this case I happened to know of speakers that cost a little more but are so much better its worth spending a little more there even though it means spending a little less elsewhere.

Now the guy I made this for, he's no audiophile but he works in a line of business that gets him into the homes of a lot of people who over the years have exposed him to some pretty high end systems. He knows what they spent and what they sound like, its not like he's coming from nowhere. And what he tells me, when he heard his he was sure his wife had spent way north of five grand. Way north. So sure in fact that he asked me, "man to man" how much she really spent. Then when I said $2500 he said, "well I hope you were taken care of." He was sure whatever I was paid had to be on top of the $2500.

Mull that one over a while. Not the only time I did this either. Sure ain't what the other A-goners will tell you. In contrast to the party line this actually works. You could have a system beyond your dreams for a whole lot less than you would ever think possible right now. Get the book.

I agree that the Mani is considered a high quality budget phonostage and would be a good choice. It is very flexible regarding cartridge gain loading. The 4 gain settings, ranging between 30 and 59dB, would allow use of the Saga in either active or passive mode. Most moving magnet cartridges have a output vo;tage between 3.5 mV, requiring ~49dB gain from phonostage, and 5.5 mV requiring ~ 45dB gain from phonostage to reach 1 volt output. This output is thought to be reasonable to expect from a phonostage without providing noise.  This is more than that required by the STA200 which makes use of a passive with it a viable approach. 

I have no issue with the Saga, and am sure it would be fun to explore it's use as mentioned by soix. My thought was that the Schiit SYS and Mani could both be had for under $200 including shipping. Also if your budget was raised to $500, I wonder what the additional $300 might return sonically if used toward a different phonostage. Increased price doesn't always translate to improvement, however often does. I doubt there is a detectable sonic difference between the SYS and Saga used in passive mode.

Most digital sources provide 2+ volts output therefore the differential volume settings alluded to by lowrider57. This creates the problem balancing loudness levels between the two sources. 

Wow! Just saw millercarbon's post, 2 minutes prior to my post. My primary system budget pretty much equates to his proposed ratio. Given $2500 I would probably spend somewhat more on speakers and amplification and less on the cables/cones, and avoid the consulting fee. :-)

I am sure the husband and wife are very happy with their system. $2500 well spent. 

Forgot to add that I believe the recommendation for the Complete Guide by Harley is 'spot on'. The best single reference for home audio I know of.

Also, Blue Jeans LC-1 interconnects are great for passive use. 12pF/foot. Can be ordered for very short links.

You really need to learn about budgeting! Everyone, but everyone,gets it all wrong. Except Harley.

@millercarbon -- Wow! Really??? That is just an incredibly ignorant and arrogant statement. Sorry, but the only absolute in this hobby is that there are so many important variables that there are absolutely NO absolutes. PERIOD!!! Including Mr. Harley.

As proof, I dare you to list all the equipment you recommended to build that $2500 system here, and I’ll bet you’ll get tons of responses as to how you could’ve done it much better and/or much cheaper.

Just because you read a book doesn’t mean you’re the end all be all of building audio systems. The best teacher BY FAR, IME, is hearing as many systems and pieces of audio equipment as possible (optimally in your own home and in your own system) to build your own real world perceptions and mental inventory of how things really sound and work. Even then, that’s just your own personal opinion based on your tastes and how you hear. Saying there is some "magic" formula to build a great-sounding audio system based on one guy’s opinion is just pure poppycock and something less-experienced listeners need to tell themselves to make them feel better about not going out and putting in the time to really figure things out for themselves. Peace out.