Phono amplification bang for the buck
| Post removed |
Herron VTPH-2A very versatile easy to change load resistors for different cartridges and gain depending on tube configuration has both MM/MC capabilities. I currently use a VTPH-2A and use NOS Telefunkens in lieu of the stock tubes. It is a beautiful sounding phono stage and Keith is a joy to work with. http://www.herronaudio.com/vtph2specs.html Chuck |
it's fun reviewing what came up in that old thread https://www.ebay.com/itm/ORTOFON-T-30-Step-Up-Transformer-MC-Phono-Cartridge-/283859443473 |
Ok, pushing equipment at this point is premature. It doesn't really answer my question. elliotnewcombjr, I've been at this since the 70's. I have a few SUTs, and SUT's are not without their own issues, no matter how good they are. You still get distortion, though different from active stages. I see SUTs as a situation dependent option, but I am looking for an active phono stage that can handle low output MCs and MMs. I am not looking for ancient vintage stuff (I owned enough of that back in the day), I'm looking for new/demo/still under warranty stuff. |
I liked the wood case of this one with 2 mc settings and PASS for MM https://absolutehiend.com/index.php/product/phono-mc-step-up/miyajima-lab-etr-800p-mc-step-up-transf... |
this helped me when asking avout MC and SUT's http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/mc_step-up_transformers_explai.html |
My first mc cartridge, I started a discussion here about "which sut"? https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-sut-for-3mv-10-ohms-mc-cartridge-into-3mv-mm-input-sens... many helpful responses there |
now, your question: To get a preamp for both line level inputs (how many inputs do you need?) and MM/MC phono stage and multiple loading options for MC is rare. I decided to get a SUT step up transformer, with PASS for MM, and a few loading options for MC, and 3 inputs for 3 different arms. That lets you get a preamp with MM Phono and Line Inputs, you send the SUT's output to the MM Phono input. lots exist, I chose this one (this one is expensive but shows it well) https://www.ebay.com/itm/FR-Fidelity-Research-FRT-4-Toroidal-Transformer-Vintage-RARE/164633673789?h... |
Several MC cartridges, two now, future?, various signal strengths, various coil resistances you need a versatile phono stage, I saw this recently https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-DS-MM-MC-Tube-Phono-Preamplifier-Black/224349939634 there is an option for a square trade 1 yr warranty. pro-ject site https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/tube-box-ds/ |
