Phono preamp advice.

I am beginning to see that the "front" is more important (for now) and that maybe the MMF7 is ok but not remarkable. I was a bit afraid when I bought the TT that my craze with LPs would pass when the realities I remembered (from olden days) of cleaning, dealing with less-than-perfect surfaces, and storing would again dampen my enthusiasm. Well...unfortunately...the sound is so bloody good (even with my humble TT and pre) that the PIA quotient doesn't really matter. Maybe my next move is to go to local shops that have analog setups and just listen using some LPs from my collection.
I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate your input and am happy that Audiogon has these various forums to be able to learn from the experience of others.
N.

Lachobba, it was perfectly sensible to test the waters before diving in. Before buying a new TT/arm/cart I plugged my 25 year old low-fi rig into my new, higher end system. Just as for you, enough of the magic came through that there was no turning back. As for what the new rig does, don't get me started... :)

There's no denying the PIA factor. Sunday evening I spent three hours at the kitchen sink scrubbing my latest acquisitions. But as you say, "the sound is so bloody good..."

Check out the recent 'Analog under $2K' thread for some ideas. Local shops and vinyl-philes are valuable too, if you can find them. Don't forget to enjoy the music while you hunt!

PIA factor? That's exactly why I have the creature on steroids*. Quartz locked direct drive, electric brake, simple to set up, on the fly VTA adjustment, service manual & parts availability, stylus illuminating light, 33/45 RPM at the touch of a button, solid construction & reliability, FUN TO USE. Its excellent sonic performance is just a fringe benefit...

* Technics SL-1200MKII with KAB modifications.

***

Wow, Psychicanimal, I fear that the Olympic committee will be comin'-a-'nocking on your door soon. Could you post bicep circumference of tonearm (delicacy prevents me from asking any other intimate details)...am afraid that my dear MMF7 needs a gym membership! Congratulations on the 1200 w/mods.

My PIA reference was more for what Dougdeacon did for his Sunday evening and I do when I have the time. Having discovered A'gon member 4yanx's LP cleaning ritual in one of the threads (I do think it should be required reading), I was delighted to learn that some LPs can be saved and even made to sound better. Although I am not nearly quite as thorough, I did invest in a Nitty Gritty 1.5 and do some prewashing.

Yesterday, as I watched an LP doing laps on the table it came to me that some of the gratification of a record is that you have to "physically deal with it." Well, I could go into a long discourse here about other visual and/or tactile felicities of handling an LP as opposed to a CD but will let the more experienced users among us share their thoughts.

Oh, by the way, I am using HT Pro-Silway IC from TT to pre and also from phonopre to the Pass X1. Is this IC okay? Thank you.

I have an MMF7. I recently upgraded the cartridge to a Benz Glider HO and love it. After considering several different pres, I settled on a Conrad Johnson EV1 and noticed a WORLD of difference. Soundstage is deeper, playback is quieter and more detailed. The CJ has 5 catridge loading settings, changeable from a dipstick, and outputs 49db of gain. It got an A rating from Michael Fremer in Stereophile, and at its price point is a bargain.