Phono only pre under $1500


for under $1500 (including used prices), is there a pure phono pre with the following features: low noise, transparent, MM/MC input, balanced output, RIAA curve only?
fourfour

Showing 1 response by kurt_tank

The Ayre P-5xe seems to meet your criteria.
Unfortunately, at the moment, there are no used ones for sale here on Audiogon, but $1,500 is the typical price.

Here is a link to the Ayre website, so you can scan the specifications.

Ayre P-5xe

FYI, I use the Ayre K-1xe preamp, with the optional phono boards, which are very similar to the boards in the P-5xe.
It works great with my Dynavector XV-1S, a MC cartridge, which has an output of 0.3 mv. I run my turntable completely balanced also, both into and out of the preamp. There is virtually no noise floor at all. (I will state however, that I have never used a MM cartridge, so I don't know how well it works with that type.)

Good Luck in your search.