2. amps-preamps
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Jeff Rowland preamp phono better than dynavector?

I'm pretty new at high end audio, so this might be a stupid question, but here goes.

I'm currently using a Dynavector P75 phono stage and a Dynavector 20xMC low output cartridge on a VPI Scout TT. I really like this cartridge and want to stay with the low output MC. But the step-up transformer runs through an old McIntosh C-28 preamp, so it seems to me like I'm basically just bypassing the pre-amp, which isn't a great one anyway. So I'm considering getting rid of the Mac preamp and the phono stage and buying a Jeff Rowland Consonance with a built-in MC phono stage. Can I expect better sound by getting rid of the Mac/Dynavector combo and replacing it with the Consonance? I should add that I pretty much only listen to LPs, but I would like to be able to run a CD player through the preamp, too, at some point.

Thanks in advance for any comments.
klein_rogge

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klein_rogge OP
13 posts
 
Thanks, Stanwal. You're right - I was confused about what the P-75 does. And I am running the P-75 into one of the high level inputs -- one of the "tape" inputs -- and not into the low input MM phono input. Does it matter which high level input I use, for now?

I'm not married to the Rowland preamp, but there is one listed here on Audiogon for $1100. What I want is a good preamp that has a built-in MC phono stage that will at least equal if not better the P-75. I'd like to pay between $1000 and $1500 used. If it helps as a reference point, I do like the sound of the P-75 a lot, but I'd like a better linestage than the Mac C-28, and I wouldn't mind moving away from the separate phono stage. Thanks for any suggestions you all can offer.
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