inthewoods;n33634 said:
I know.....was just joking around.
Best $1000 Phono Preamp?
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I know.....was just joking around.
The ifi iPhone2 with an external power supply is one of the best phono stages I've heard period, regardless of cost. The combination comes in around $700 USD. The (very large compared to the phono stage) linear power supply that I replaced the switching wall wart with is from sBooster.
Also, to contradict what I said earlier in this thread I no longer prefer SUTs. The iFi has the most quiet LOMC capability I've heard. It is absolutely top notch. By itself the iFi is good but far from great. With the aftermarket power supply it simply takes off into another realm. I guess it should make a difference, the power supply costs as much as the phono stage itself.
I prefer this combination to my Primare phono stage that retailed originally for around $1800, it's much more quiet than the Primare with LOMC. The Primare is quite excellent with a higher gain cart, however, which is what I use it for.
Also, to contradict what I said earlier in this thread I no longer prefer SUTs. The iFi has the most quiet LOMC capability I've heard. It is absolutely top notch. By itself the iFi is good but far from great. With the aftermarket power supply it simply takes off into another realm. I guess it should make a difference, the power supply costs as much as the phono stage itself.
I prefer this combination to my Primare phono stage that retailed originally for around $1800, it's much more quiet than the Primare with LOMC. The Primare is quite excellent with a higher gain cart, however, which is what I use it for.
inthewoodsnolonger
AARP Member
It's excellent. More so when I stuck different OPA in there.
I am still looking for one....
Well, it's DIY, but I'm a big fan of the Hypnotoad AD797 HQMC phono preamplifier:
It's a dual mono with a single power entry design. You can adjust the gain and impedance separately for each channel to optimize for differences in coil windings and can run it off of a regulated power supply or batteries. It's a lot less than $1000 dollars (not including sunk time to assemble), but will give many phono stages a run for their money.
-D
It's a dual mono with a single power entry design. You can adjust the gain and impedance separately for each channel to optimize for differences in coil windings and can run it off of a regulated power supply or batteries. It's a lot less than $1000 dollars (not including sunk time to assemble), but will give many phono stages a run for their money.
-D
Well, it's DIY, but I'm a big fan of the Hypnotoad AD797 HQMC phono preamplifier:
It's a dual mono with a single power entry design. You can adjust the gain and impedance separately for each channel to optimize for differences in coil windings and can run it off of a regulated power supply or batteries. It's a lot less than $1000 dollars (not including sunk time to assemble), but will give many phono stages a run for their money.
-D
That's MC only, no?
inthewoodsnolonger
AARP Member
^^^correct statement. I also have one and have built a few for some people. Excellent unit, dirt cheap.
I'd love one. But getting the MC cartridge would negate the cheap part.
I wonder how that Transfiguration Proteus D would sound through it?
Technically, yes, but I've had remarkably good success with a DL110 (which is an HOMC, same gain as a MM) if you adjust the gain (e.g. turn it wayyyy down) and impedance accordingly.
-D
Well, it's DIY, but I'm a big fan of the Hypnotoad AD797 HQMC phono preamplifier:
It's a dual mono with a single power entry design. You can adjust the gain and impedance separately for each channel to optimize for differences in coil windings and can run it off of a regulated power supply or batteries. It's a lot less than $1000 dollars (not including sunk time to assemble), but will give many phono stages a run for their money.
-D
It's a good'un alright. I've been enjoying it with a Denon DL-103... Which last I checked, is not considered an expensive cart.
It's a good'un alright. I've been enjoying it with a Denon DL-103... Which last I checked, is not considered an expensive cart.
Works well with a DL103R and a Hana SL (provided you adjust impedance and gain) quite nicely as well.
Chops54
Junior Member
I had a bit of a shock recently. On a whim I bought an A.N.T. Audio Kora 3 phono stage board from another forum member. Some years ago A.N.T. made the boards for their middle of the road phono stage available to diyers. I'm not sure if they were supplied part built or fully built but the board I bought was complete and came with phono and power sockets and just needed putting in a case and a suitable power supply building up. I decided to run it from a pair of 12 volt SLAs. I have to say this thing is quite something. It has the edge over my modified 834P clone and a fair bit of time and hard earned went into that. I hate to admit this as I'm a confirmed valve man but a serious rethink is in order.
David
Moderator
Was trying to snap the phono stage from @Thermionics but the shipping and voltage difference is proving to be a bar again.
But I picked this up just then...just the original not the recent version. Like-new condition:
The main reason behind the purchase was that I heard this phono previously compared to some others and it proved quite decent. Currently hooked up to Hana SL at 320 ohms. Very versatile little unit.
But I picked this up just then...just the original not the recent version. Like-new condition:
The main reason behind the purchase was that I heard this phono previously compared to some others and it proved quite decent. Currently hooked up to Hana SL at 320 ohms. Very versatile little unit.
David
Moderator
You do realize that your one MM cart cost more than all of my MC carts combined, right? Hah.I'd love one. But getting the MC cartridge would negate the cheap part.
I wonder how that Transfiguration Proteus D would sound through it?
Teasing. I'm a cheap-deal kinda guy. Classical musicians have to be or they never get anything nice. By the time you include selling off the Technics SP-15 (that I got gratis) I'll have about $800 total into the DP-80 project including the complete rebuild on the drive. How I have to roll. Strictly "target of opportunity" around here.
