Yeah, it has been two weeks. Then again, he is a kid. In two weeks he could have taken up rock climbing, kung fu, video games, two or three girlfriends, and spent the last three days holed up reading Neitzsche. While we all talk about the importance of having fun he is more than likely busy, you know, actually having fun.
Helping a kid out
So long story short I got neighbor kid into audio and to appreciate listening to music on something other than a cheap Bluetooth speaker. He’s pretty young but a good kid, a hard working honest kid. So far he’s accumulated his old mans Dual turntable that I helped him clean up and installed an Ortofon 2M Blue on it, a nice but older Marantz integrated and a pair of Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers. I hooked him up with a pair of Kimber 8TC speaker cables I had retired a while ago (lol, probably making them the most expensive part of his system). He’s looking to upgrade and I suggested trying out a dedicated phono stage. I’m assuming his budget is in the $200 range and I told his old man I wouldn’t let him buy something stupid. I had no idea the sheer volume of phono stages in this price range on the market. What would you guys and gals suggest? My knee jerk reaction is Schitt Mani and I read a few good things about a Bellari unit but holy cow the choices are infinite. Maybe something a little higher end but used? Extra points if it can be purchased from Amazon but that’s by no means a deal breaker.
Showing 5 responses by millercarbon
The skills are nowhere near overwhelming. Take a look at a solid state amp like the Dynaco ST400. If it isn't at least ten times the parts I will be shocked. And I built that at his age. By myself. Totally by myself. Hasten to add, no internet back then. When I say by myself, I mean by myself! This Bottlehead, all there is, roughly a dozen caps, about that many resistors- you can see the whole thing right here https://bottlehead.com/product/reduction-1-1-phono-preamplifier-kit/ Can be done in an evening or two- it is just not that hard! Soldering, within a couple tries he will have that down pat. The solder flows towards the heat. Don't drip blobs. Hold the iron on the part until it gets hot enough to make the solder flow into the joint. Couple tries he will have it down pat. Just not that hard. If you like the way it sounds now just wait till you hear it with this phono stage. The kid will freak. You will freak. Seriously. So totally worth it. Overwhelming. Don't make me laugh. |
ecterrel-
This whole thread was worth it for the comment from Miller carbon! The Basie Sinatra album. Damn! That’s cool. I’m on it. I checked it out and must have a copy on wax! Thanks MC. You’re the man My pleasure. Francis A and Edward K is another good one but Sinatra-Basie is just awe-inspiring, the most swinging swing I ever heard. Fantastic recording too. Played it for the group at Chuxpona, it was the only record we listened to a whole side, and could easily have played side 2 as well. More than one has told me it is the best recording he ever heard. Granted mine is a Hot Stamper, and if you can find one of those it will be worth the wait (and the money, they are not cheap!). https://better-records.com/products/sinatfranc_2103?_pos=8&_sid=5c80a2d93&_ss=r |
Something maybe hard to appreciate right now, but he is at a stage of life where something like this phono stage could well be with him a good 10 years or more. The value of a really good phono stage is almost impossible to understand until you hear one. This will instantly be his finest component, something he will only appreciate more and more over time. Next time give him Sinatra-Basie, he will be hooked for sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GphVjN5NXWA&list=PLdqqv4DQh82uHV5rybL4sFJUAVF5992DP&index=5 |
Now having read through the thread I am happy to report your job is much easier than you thought. There really is only one option, the Bottlehead kit. Just reading (studying, and understanding) the description will give the kid a better understanding of hi-fi components than most. It is not that hard, recommended even for first time kit builders and taking no more than an evening or two to build. It does not require any woodworking skills. https://bottlehead.com/product/reduction-1-1-phono-preamplifier-kit/ This kit is a lot simpler than the Dynaco ST400 I built at his age without any help. The Bottlehead kit is way simpler and yet also a much better project and component. In the end he will have spent more than planned but he will have a $1k phono stage for $400 and more importantly he will have acquired an actual asset not a money pit car. Important life skills I should think. If he does this I will not chip in $50 but instead do one better, and send you the Cardas Quad Eutetic rosin core solder to do it right. |