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Just purchased a Belles 150A Reference amp. Watch should my preamp be..

My system is shaping up as follows: VPI classic 1 (JMW 10.5), Dynavector Karat 173D cart, Maxxed Out/Cary SLP-98 or other tube phono stage in 2-3k range, preamp?, Belles 150A reference, Epos m12i speakers. The system is probably too good for the Epos m12's, but I want the flexibility to upgrade those at some point. What preamp should I try to pair with the Belles?
ironclaw1
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
What would an acceptable small amount of gain?

Still something like the Freya, would be the best as it’s the only one I know of with low or nothing gain, and you have the choice of tube, solid state or passive output.
And it's remote volume with the best, 128 position relay controlled, multiple inputs, and outputs, single ended or balanced. And you can sent it back if you don't like it.  

Cheers George
ironclaw1 OP
10 posts
 
So a very nice tube phono stage such as a Cary or Fosgate would have too much gain and therefore would have a slight background noise?
ironclaw1 OP
10 posts
 
Anyone on the forum have experience with the Belles 150a reference amp for vinyl playback? If so, phono stage recommendations? Looking into the Schitt Freyr, but there must be more options as it has been an much lauded amp.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Looking into the Schitt Freyr
It doesn’t have a phono stage in it, but they do make one, the MC or MM Mani that has a nice low 75ohm output impedance and adjustable gain settings. So you'd need both the Freya and the Mani.
http://www.schiit.com/products/mani

Cheers George
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
When you are done with that try the Belles Aria Preamp voices well with the Belles power amp and your Cary tube phono hooked into an auxiliary input.
Best,
JohnnyR
Audio Connection 
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