Budget Phono preAmp

There is a Sutherland KC Vibe listed here for $550. My friend uses it and it is real nice. You should make an offer on it!

The Schiit Mani @$129 is the deal to beat.
https://www.schiit.com/products/mani
I used one while my $2500 phono stage was being repaired.
MM/MC compatible.  Comparable to units priced 2-3X more.

I have not used the Schiit phono stage but judging by my experience with their DACs and amps I would recommend it.

I had (still have it, not in use) the Mani, and it is hard to beat for the cost.

That said, Jim Hagerman is selling his Bugle 3 on sale right now for $189, regularly $239. Check it out. Can also drive some MC carts, but the options are limited for those. Free shipping.

if you don’t know where you are going ( destination vs. incrementalism ), any road will get you there.

Without a doubt, the Mani represents incredible sonic value for $. as an aside, i believe all audiophiles should read the Schitt Book - Schitt Happened.

Aim higher as I believe your TT is capable of a lot, and speakers 2.

The Southerland as mentioned above certainly represents good value.

Jim

I agree Jim, and in that price range, would also consider the Soundsmith MMP3 @ $600.

Thanks Jim for your comments.

The road for me is to build slowly on a limited budget.  My speakers - at least for my current horizon are my destination.  The Linn I will ride as long as she lasts - It was great to inherit it from my parents along with a modest vinyl collection.  So I'll stick with Vinyl as a preferred format even into the future...because I like it! 

All that said - it sounds like the Southerland offers the kind of bang for the buck I'm after.  It isn't important to me that it be flexible for the future - just offer a sort of new found joy in my current setup.

It seems there isn't much love so far for the 2 rigs I listed - the Rega and Moon - surprising as I had read so much about both.  I've read a good deal about the Schitt Mani as well - but is it that it really offers the same sonics at about a 1/4 the cost?  If so, then I'll also consider it, but my budget is closer to the 500 dollar range (the Southerland is just over that cusp which is where I always end up when making these choices!)

Thanks again all!

That Sutherland says make offer so it is not carved in stone at the asking price! If you want it you should make an offer and see what happens!

For $500, the Parks Puffin is a no-brainer.  Lots of flexibility and customization available and Shannon Parks continues to make improvements through firmware upgrades (like click removal!).

Yes, it's "digital", yes, it's not the most refined phono stage, but at it's price point I think it's hard to beat.  It can handle any type of cartridge as far as gain goes.  

Another option in that price range (used - if you can find one) is a Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena.  Lots of gain and loading options and the option to operate on battery power is nice.

I have been very happy with a used Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena I got for about $500.  It’s the battery powered one.

+1 Sutherland!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sutherland+kc+vibe+phono+preamplifier+review&docid=60803160...

phono: always tricky to be totally happy, have return option

schiit mani sets you up for MM and has options for your future MC cartridge, and schiit has 15 day money back.

+1 for Schiit Mani

Take a look at the Cambridge DUO, as well. Currently the the best spec'd Phono over at ASR

Since you’re using MM carts, you want to have a low capacitance - maximum 100 pF on the phono stage. This rules out all Sutherlands, I believe, as well as a number of others. The Simaudio you mention is sounds great and has adjustable capacitance below 100 pF, so that would be an excellent choice.. The Mani has has a capacitance of 100pF, so it’s a good fit as well.

Make sure you get a demo/audition.  I brought in the Moon 110LP v2  and compared it to my internal preamp stage and it was not worth the spend. I was going to have to move up the line to get improvement.

I have had the Rega Fono and Schiit Mani in my system. Hands down, the Schiit Mani. I still have it as a spare, as I have upgraded.

+1 on the Puffin. It will make any cart sing.

I have both the Schiit mentioned above. Tons and f settings to accommodate any cart.. and cheap. I also have a Lounge Audio LCR and have been very pleased with it

I had a Moon 110 and my buddy the Sciit I can tell you the Moon sounded clearly better. Good luck happy spinning.

I have a Parasound Zphono XRM.  It is $600.  MM/MC, and a mono switch which works pretty well if you have some mono records.  I’ve been pretty happy with it and a great value.  Well reviewed on a few big sites if you want more in depth description. 

Puffin, for the money..

Regards

Check out Graham Slee.

Also a Schitt Mani supporter...  built like a tank--I would recommend buying it and using it while you audition others ($$$) and keep the one that clearly whips its ass.  You may have to try 2-3...

A while back I temporarily used a Chinese tube phono stage I bought from Amazon. I threw the chinese tubes away and plugged in Russian 6AK5’s from Tubes unlimited. It sounded OK…better than you would expect. Using it allowed me to listen while I shopped for a phono stage SUT and MC cartridge.

I picked up a used Chord Huei and have been very happy with it. It can do MM and MC and best of all I can switch gain and impedence on the fly via the buttons on the top of the unit. Saves from having to change dip switches or resistors which saves some time. XLR outputs are also nice. 

Have heard the KC Vibe as well and its a sweet sounding unit as well. 

Schiit Mani MM/MC unbeatable at less than $150.....

OP thanks for the added clarity and so cool about honoring memory with the Linn. I believe it can take you far. You have got a ton of good advice I understand wanting to make a positive and energizing change focused on vinyl.

pretty much all preamps listed, i have been fortunate to hear, owned a NOVA III. Super neutral fast, adaptable for growth into M should you climb that hill. The Chord i had in for evaluation as local dealer wanted evaluation of competiveness vs Nova ( he now carries both. For warmth and easy front  ( top edge really ) panel adjustment, it edges Nova ( i think there is a newer Nova now ) Lean to wanting warm = chord, Analytical but neutral Nova. Sutherland leans that way. Parks is fascinating and i have heard it sing, kinda depends how analog you want to be, but if it was covered by shoebox, bet it could fool a LOT of diehard analog freaks…..
I just can’t comment on the Moon, have not heard it. Buddy did buy a Van Alstine, new it hits your budget. Frank builds great gear !,,,
best to you
Jim

Another rec for the Schiit Mani, liked it so much I added another on my secondary system.  Very well built, compact, high versatility, selectable gain, etc.  Only negative for me is the blinding LED...need to dim that one down when I get a chance (you'll need those sunglasses at night).

@birdfan Comparing the Schiit and the Lounge LCR which one you prefer and why?

I have the Mani and found the Van Alstine phono pre ($500) better. It may not be a bad idea to get the Mani and use it while you audition others.

TCC TC-750
    nominal / max output 300mV / 1.8V
    output impedance 1k ohm, input 47k ohm / 220 pF
https://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750pp.html

iFi Zen Phono.

https://www.sixacoustic.com/product-page/york-phonobn

The Hagerman previously mentioned is also a good deal.

You might be interested in this :

https://www.stereophile.com/content/analog-corner-313-cyrus-audio-phono-signature-qhw-audio-vinyl-sh...

Regards

You might want to look at the Adcom GFP 565. It has a phono stage for MM and MC. You can pick one up on EBAY for around 300 dollars. For a vintage preamp you can't beat the value.

Channel Island PEQ-1 is a killer little phono pre that will serve you now and as your system changes. You can add the optional power supply down the road which improves upon an already good pre

Best,
-JP

I went the tube route and haven't looked back. This budget preamp sounds great, especially if you find some good NOS tubes. I found some RCA's at Tube Depot. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-LE3C5VZ6pyk/p_252TBBXS2B/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-S2.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=...

I have the Vista Audio Photo-2 and am very happy with it. I've loaned it out to a couple of people with $7-12K systems and they thought it performed as well as $1000-$1500 photo pre-amps they've used.

+1 for the Project Tube Box S2. Replace the tubes with a set of Gold Lion from Upscale and you have a real decent setup on your hands. I also bought a linear power supply for it and that bumps it even better.

I forgot about the TCC-TC750 from phonopreamps.com (That Charles7 mentioned above). I've used one before and it is surprisingly good for the money. In fact, this may be the best bang for the buck out there at ~50 bucks

I'll give another recommendation for the Schiit Mani as a budget phone preamp. I bought one on a whim to see if it was any better than the phone stage on my older NAD preamp, and it sure was, and by a lot. More gain, and improved clarity / sound.

A great buy for $129 or so, lots of dip switches on the bottom of the unit to accommodate almost any cartridge; running a Goldring E3 MM Cartridge on a Pioneer PL-550 TT, sounds great.

The recommended Parasound Zphono but earlier non XRM model can be had for only a bit more than the Mani. It's definitely a step above the Schitt.

Also the phono stage of the recommended Adcom GFP 565 is also excellent. I have used both in secondary systems. Both punch way above their price points.

Ditto on the Schlitt Mani. Excellent phone pre!

Hello,
If you cannot decide if you want to pull the trigger on the KC Vibe then go with the Mani. $129 does not put you out. I own it and for the money it is so good. Also, you can sell it for $30 less than what you paid. So you will have $470 to put towards your next phono stage. The KC Vibe is a nice phono stage. It handle both MM and MC so you are covered. At $500 it’s a good deal. I’m thinking you can get it for $500 vs $550. If you can’t get it go for the Mani. I still have mine because it’s a good value and backup. 

The Mani is fine for the money. With that said, there are tons of options, especially used. The Moon is a great pre for the price. I have heard it against several others. The Phonomena is great as well. I am using a PS Audio GCPH that I got a great deal on and it sounds fantastic.

To my ears, the Mani will do in a pinch. But spend a little more, it's worth it.

Oz

Get something with a lot of headroom. That’s one “hot” cartridge @ 6.5mV output.

+ on the Lounge Audio LCR and + Schlitt Mani....And a BIG + on any Sutherland product...I have a Sutherland 20/20...Agree with many here...make an offer on the K.C. Vibe....

All great choices!

check these guys out too:
https://www.darlingtonlabs.com/shop

I heartily recommend the Moon 110LP V.2. It is a gem - far better than the Schiit Mani, which I've also tried in my system. The Mani is grittier sounding while the Moon is much more musical.