Help with Pre-Amps

Phaseshifter.

A preamp that has a phono stage is considered a full funtion preamp. A preamp without a phono section is called a linestage. A passive preamp has no gain of its own and must be matched with a source ie phonostage or cd player with a high gain.

I have no personal experience with a passive preamp but have read they need to be matched carefully with the right source and amps. So they may not be a good first preamp unless you get good advise on what components will work well with them.

Hope this helps.

Would help to know price range to give advise on preamps to listen to.

Sean

Phaseeshifter. Yes I would go with a linestage since you already have a phonostage.

I don't have any experience with preamps in that price range. I went from a $3,000 integrated amp (preamp and amp in same box) to a $4,500 preamp. Both pieces were new.

Buying used will allow you to get nicer equipment for the price but is more of a hassel, and usually you lose the warrenty unless it is transferable to the second owner.

I'm sure someone will have some nice recomendations in your price range.

Tube rolling is simply changing the tubes that came stock with the equipment to a different brand or vintage to adjust the sound to your liking.

You might want to pick up a copy of Robert Harleys Complete Guide To High End Audio. Most of the questions you have are covered in it except for specific equipment recomendations.

Cheers
Sean

Phaseshifter, I had a Benz Ace cartridge on my VPI Scout and liked the combo. I don't have experience with your turntable so its hard to tell if the Benz would work well.

If you bought your tt from a dealer they should know what works well. If not you could ask SOTA what they recommend.

As for the table I made a base for it that I filled with sand. The base was about 10 inches tall, and 20x20 inches wide. Then I put a piece of plywood on top that did'nt touch the sides and put the table for turntable on that.

The biggest improvement I made was when I attached a piece on wood on the outside of the base to support the turntable motor independently of the the table. That got rid of all of the motor noise going thru the turntable. Unfortunately you need a turntable that has its motor seperated from the plinth to do this.

The table I used to set the turntable on was nothing special but the base and the motor stand really helped get the most out of the turntable.

Best
Sean