cheapo phono preamp, $20. ridiculously good until you find something better.
short story, this $20. Pyle is ridiculously good until you find something better.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B07R2MR59D/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?....
long story (many of you have made a difference in all of the following, thanks again)
How have I decided it is ridiculously good? It took a while, nearly a year: many re-arrangements, temporary uses here and there to realize it.
I got a Mitsubishi Vertical TT going for my office (1st time TT up here). Needed phono eq. just to hear it.
Not the main system, but I wanted something decent. I bought a Cambridge Duo (MM/MC)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07932QK4N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1Didn’t like it at all, so I bought this cheapo $20. Pyle to simply use until I bought something else.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B07R2MR59D/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?...Compared to Cambridge, I actually liked the Pyle, sent the Cambridge back. Using the (how worn?) Stanton cartridge that the TT came with.
Next: Re-discovered my near virgin AT440ml with OEM Stylus. Wow, it’s performance was definitely revealed thru the Pyle. Near virgin because I didn’t use the AT in main system because I preferred Shure’s brush cartridges (V15VxMR; M97xe). (my hvac system pushes lots of dust, and warps, ... and both those cartridges are winners in their own categories.
OK, now, let’s get a better Phono Stage in the office. Loving the mx110z Tube phono downstairs, let’s get a Tube Preamp with Phono for the office. Use the Pyle in the Garage system when I rework it.
Russian Tube Preamp turned out to be a disaster.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/russian-tube-preamp-no-return-here-i-go-againVintage Luxman’s looked awesome, they are shallow enough to fit on the top of a bookcase.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/luxman-lx33-integrated-tube-amp-yeah-nayOMG, prices, UP UP & AWAY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfxqQmWtGNMEnded up with a New Luxman with both MM and MC for the office, now all tube, sounds terrific, office done!
http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=33Going to visit my photography friend in Vestal, NY. Hmmm, Audio Classics is in Vestal.
https://www.audioclassics.com/Yanked the mx110z tube tuner/preamp out of the main system, dropped it off for it’s first look-see since the 1960’s. Among other things it will get all new gold plated in/out rca jacks. yeah!
Well, that left me with a 3 arm TT dead in the dust (MC; MM Stereo; MM Mono). The biggest upgrade to my system ever! Fidelity Research 3 input SUT has MC and MM Pass.
https://reverb.com/item/34379811-fidelity-research-fr-frt-4-toroidal-transformer-in-excellent-condit...Luxman arrived, put in the office, that left the Pyle loose.
Unbelievable, this dinky Pyle, after the SUT, gives me back all 3 of my Arms until the mx110z gets home.
Just had to tell you, this cheapo Pyle sounds doggone good. Who knew?
I restored a compact Technics SL-J33,
https://www.hifinews.com/content/technics-sl-j33-turntableIt has a good dust cover so I can use it in the Garage/Shop. The Tandberg down there recently died, and the Carver from the office was just set free, so I re-arranged that system yesterday.The little Pyle went back to work. Garage/Shop system Finished!
That’s where I am sorting all the LP’s I inherited, what a treat to have a TT down there!
All that since I joined Audiogon, it's been very beneficial for sure.
Just prior, I sold my McIntosh SS set, MC2250 amp and C28 Preamp, that's when I got the mx110z and my Cayin A88T Tube amp.
btw, I did not like the Phono of that C28 SS Preamp. I was using an AT120, with an even more dinky built-in optional phono eq. IT sounded better than the C28. Like the Pyle, equally surprisingly good. I just gave that TT to my Photo friend in Vestal, with the Shure M97xe.
Being in NJ, close to NYC, truly frightening, staying home during Covid certainly was a part of this. Bad but good ..
