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Best Budget Choice for Preamp w/MC Built-In?

Greetings and thanks in advance for all thoughtful opinions! I'm putting together a new 2-channel system and now need a preamp to complete the package. The primary source will be a Thorens TD-320 with Denon DL-103R; I'll play CDs as well, but the line stage capability of the preamp will not be as important as the phono stage. The power amp will be an ATI 1502, which will put out about 220 wpc into the 4-ohm GMA Continuum-1's I picked up here on a'gon. (Actually picked up the ATI here as well!)

Now my budget is $250-300, which I know is tiny and inconsequential, but, well, that's it for now, so my choice is likely to be limited to vintage solid state. The guys at audiokarma have convinced me to consider one of the older Yamaha preamps in the C and CX series. The other model I've read good things about is the B&K Pro-10MC.

Has anyone heard these units and have thoughts about them? Are there other candidates I should know about? I don't care whether it has a remote or not -- I'm looking purely for the best phono sound possible in a single-full-function preamp.

Thanks for all help, Rich
winegasman
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
Both have an excellent reputation for MC phono stage, particularly the Mission.

I just throw them out as great amps. I suspect you'll get more for your money in the price range by staying integrated, and I think the ATI has more power than the GMAs require, but I'm not going to tell you that my suggestions WILL sound better.
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hoopster
173 posts
 
Check out some 80's stuff forte model 2 comes to mind as well as ps audio 4.6 and 6.1 I may be wrong but I think any of these could handle a high output MC. Also what about some of the counterpoint offerings?
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
Sorry for the mmistake. Mine was the CA-5 preamp. There is one listed here on Audiogon for $125 if it's still available. That is a good price if memory serves. The unit I had was purchased off ebay and was in poor cosmetic shape. When I sold it with full disclosure it sold for more than $100. With respect to Viridian, although the Nak is a very plain looking preamp with few features, it was a much better preamp than the Adcom.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Timrhu, no offense taken; I have never heard the Nak and can only suggest what I am familiar with. No doubt, there are always better choices. That is the beauty of these forums, hopefully the best guidance can come from a distillation of the available options.
greenman
53 posts
 
The PSE Studio SL(p) is considerably more resolving than either the B&K or Adcoms. The phono stage offers two gain settings 35dB and 53dB, the higher gain setting should work with cartridges down to about .6mV output. You can also alter the phono input impedance using the resistor sockets.
If you are tied to the Denon cartridges you may find it rather difficult to locate a decent preamp with a suitable phonostage in your price range. You need a minimum of 60dB of phonostage gain.
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