Best head amp of the market ?

What is a pre preamp? Is that like a step up transformer??

It replaces an SUT but works differently. A pre-preamp or head amp is an active gain stage. It does not have the RIAA equalization and gain stage of a phono pre, but allows a LO MC to be plugged in to an MM phono input. An SUT is passive; it multiplies voltage according to the ratio of the windings of the primary and secondary.

A "pre preamp" or MC head amp functions in place of a "step up transformer" but is an active powered circuit adding gain, usually in the 10-20dB range, but no RIAA equalization, allowing an MC cartridge with an output of less than say .8mV to be used with a phono stage designed for MM cartridges with outputs in excess of 1-5 mV. One way to gage the appropriateness of a given head amp/cartridge/phono stage is to figure that one usually need at least 40dB of gain for a 1mV output cartridge, bearing in mind that every halving of cartridge output would require additional 6dB of gain. Some would argue that, depending on listening habits, circuit noise, overall gain of electronics and sensitivity of speakers, that 40dB of gain would be better matched to a 2mV (or even 4mV) output cartridge. This would translate to an optimal match of 34dB of phono stage gain with a 4mV output cartridge, 46dB of gain with a 1mV cartridge, 52dB of gain with a .5mV cart, 58dB of gain with .25mV cart, and 64dB of gain for a .13mV cart.

As usual, there are diverse preferences for step up transformer versus active head amp, or simply a high gain phono stage.

There aren't many stand alone active pre preamps on the market. The ZYX Artisan is highly regarded although I haven't used it. I prefer to have a phono stage that has enough gain to handle the cartridge without adding another gain stage and requisite pair of interconnects.

I prefer, of course, the Piccolo. Graham Slee also makes one.

jh

Klyne used to make one was it the SK 2A?? If you can find, the Classe NIL is an excellent sounding unit too. That's if you want to go active. There are also lots of good sounding Step up transformers if you don't mind the passive route.

FYI, Hagtech's Piccolo is his own make and although I haven't tried it I would guess it is his usual excellent value, sold direct only. In his own words, he prefers step up transformers to active stages despite his own product. Raul here is adamant about the evils of SUTs. different strokes.

BTW, I forgot to mention above that there are at least two standards for measuring output of cartridges that can confuse your calculations by about 30%. The operative is voltage@5cm/sec or 3.54cm/sec.

Can't beat the Hagtech Piccolo for the price. It is superb.

The ZYX Artisan is, I think a complete phono stage (gain plus RIAA equalization). They do have a pre-pre or headamp (which I own) called a CCP-1 or something like that. It is quite good with my ZYX cart feeding the MM phono input of my VAC Ren Mk2 pre.

Hi

Thanks for all your responses . I have to see now what is available here in Europe .

tenmus

If you can find one in good shape, the Markof PPA-2 based on a battery-driven Marshall Leach design is a contender.  Back in the day it was considered one of the closest contenders to the Counterpoint SA-2 pre-preamp, which was acknowledged the finest.  I had both, and continue to use the PPA-2.  The SA-2 had wonderful, more dimensional tube sound but was a bear to get around humming.

Dear @harrylavo: Do you took in count that the thread came from 2007 ! ! .

R.

The Marcof remains a good alternative to much more expensive SUT's for use with LOMC cartridges. Prices on the second hand market average around $200. I have one and its SQ is quite good, considering its price! The battery supply is a nice feature!

I use a Thorens head-amp — not their recent crop of phono ancillaries, an oldie-but-goodie, over 30 years old. It's very compact, and quite "pretty". They made it as a plug-in module to fit into an EMT broadcast console. I found it on a trip to Johannesburg, where it had been used for SABC FM broadcasts. It has two gain settings: 22 and 32 dB (and Bypass). It came with a 12V wall-wart but that was an improvisation — its original power supply was inside the console — and I found batteries to be an improvement. It's dead-silent even at full gain, as quiet as a SUT. I see them occasionally online — rare, but affordable.

You can go to the Graham Slee forum and check out the Elevator. They have a loaner program that allows you to try it in your system for several weeks to see if it fits. It only cost the price of shipping. By the way it's a very nice and flexible unit that sounds great.

ZYX CPP-1 http://www.sorasound.com/products/zyx/zyx-cpp-1-pre-preamp/

Dear @harrylavo: SA-2 the finest?

Well, in my first hand experiences because I owned nothing can " touch "/comes close to the Classé Audio NIL-3.

Its separated power supply in reality is an amplifier power supply  and the separated lectronics comes in a true " bunker " where all the electronics comes not only covered by something as solid silicon and inside a bullet proff metal shield against any disturbances of any kind and this comes inside the heavy metal external box/chassis. It's not only a beauty of design but ejemplary high quality ececution to that top design. As I said nothing can beats till today.

Unfortunatelly I sold it years ago.

Here it's a good opportunity to have it:

https://www.ebay.it/itm/Classe-Audio-NIL-MC-Moving-Coil-Step-Up-Amplifier-Rare-/322508263830

That's is the FINEST. Period.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

But exist many good alternatives along the ones all of you mentioned to that fabolous Classé Audio headamp like: Denon, Accuphase, Linear Technology,Audio Device, Eureka, Fidelix, Mactone, Pionner,  Klyne, Yamaha, Ortofon, Levinson, Mcintosh, Music Reference, Precision Fidelity.

Yes, all vintage ones but always it's a better option to SUTs.

R.