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Best preamp with built in phono stage?

I have and love my Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamp with its excellent built in phono stage.  A two box tube unit. I don’t have rack space for a separate phono stage and don’t want another IC. Not to mention the cost of a high end line stage and high end phono stage. The MP-1 was specifically designed to play vinyl. 8 of its 18 tubes are dedicated to the phono. In many ways, it seems to not have competition. Surely, very pricy line stage and phono stage can surpass it but I don’t know another high end pre with built in phono that compares.
mglik
troidelover1499
253 posts
 
I think many of the more expensive, older integrated amplifiers have phono stages built in, as that was expected back in those days.  Better units from Sony, Denon, Yamaha, as well as Luxman have them.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,895 posts
 
Agree with others that VAC preamps have superb built-in phono stages as an option. The 6-tube stage is better (Signature, Master lines) but the 3-tube stages (Renaissance) are still great. Their new units are pricey but good used models sometimes show up for sale at great prices, and VAC support won't leave you in the dust.
joejr
42 posts
 
Solid State: Klyne Audio Arts Series 7
luxmancl38
580 posts
 
I've been very happy w/my Luxman CL38U SE for the last 4 years. The phono uses 3 12AX7 tubes and has 4 step up transformers. 2 for MC high and 2 for MC low. Currently I'm using a Dyanavector Karat 17DX as my cart w/excellent results. 
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
I've had following three preamps with phono:
Plinius M16P. 
BAT VK30. 
Rouge Magnum 99.
They were all very good.
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