2. amps-preamps
  3. 1140605077

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
miner42
709 posts
 
Take a look at a used Rotel RC-1070. A reviewer from a HiFi mag had said the price of the pre is worth it for the phono stage alone. Used can be had for $300.
billimbriale
21 posts
 
I owned a B&K from a ways back and the phono stage was indeed excellent.
raco
1 posts
 
The GFP-555 (first generation) surely has MC stage (more precisely: "MM/hi MC"/"lo MC"). It also has a switch for capacitance compensation of the cartridge, and the S/N of the phono stage is really great (85dB). Adcom has the owner's manual on their website, you can find all this information there.

Just got a GFP-555 matched with a GFA-5300 driving a pair of Thiel CS2. It's a hard to beat combination. The overall neutrality and the strength in the low frequency range, plus the easiness of driving the Thiel monsters (just burned a receiver trying to drive them) is breathtaking. Although I haven't owned them for too long (few weeks), the quality of build and sturdiness inspires a lot of confidence. I think for this price the Adcom beats hands down a lot of other manufacturer's packages (check reviews on the 555 pair, amp/preamp, on stereophile and others). Don't have a lot of experience, but this is my two cents.
cheers,
aR.
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