2. analog
  3. 1318118240

Phono preamp under 1k new or used advice?

I decided to keep the rega brio R, and take the rega P5 out of the storage and enjoy listening to Vinyl again, once one member told me when you get to this point digital will not be satisfying and i am staring to believe in those words three years ago.
I though in graduate school an iPod with 30k songs and a monster iPod stations friends gave me for my birthday will be ok and do the job.
after 3 weeks in PR i started hating the sound and decided to go analog with the rega RP1, but now i am taking my p5 in NJ out of storage and ship it hear.
i received today the Stan Getz and charlie Byrd, jazz samba, just to make me aware that my soul is totally connected to the analog sound and image, need to upgrade the rega brio R built in phono.
thanks
junglern

Showing 5 responses by podeschi

podeschi's avatar
podeschi
303 posts
 
Here is one for sale right now on audiogon for $650. Good deal:

Musical Surroundings Nova with battery pack.
podeschi's avatar
podeschi
303 posts
 
If you can stretch, there is a Fosgate Signature Phono preamp for sale right now for $1499 on Audiogon. It is an amazing phono preamp. Will wipe the floor with any phono preamp 2-3k and under. I speak from experience as I auditioned multiple units in the 1-3k range and bought the Fosgate. Sold it only because I decided a Herron VTPH-2 worked better in my system.

Also have heard the Jolida JD9 is supposed to be a giant killer (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jolida3/phono.html) and Spearit Sound (reputable dealer I've purchased from) has one new for $499. Upgrade tubes etc and a shunyata venom power cord and for about $600 you would have a mighty fine unit that can scale.
podeschi's avatar
podeschi
303 posts
 
Also Upscale Audio (and a private seller) have Herron VTPH-1 for sale in the 1400 dollar range on Audiogon. Another "keep it for life" phono preamp that will scale if you buy better table/cartridge/etc.
podeschi's avatar
podeschi
303 posts
 
From what I've read the Jolida JD9 might be better, and Spearit Sound has it for sale at a good price ($500?) new on Audiogon right now. I auditioned the PS GCPH against SimAudio phono and Herron VTPH-1, and the PS Audio came in 3rd place....a bit of a veil on the upper registers in my system.
podeschi's avatar
podeschi
303 posts
 
I should clarify my inference -- The Herron placed first by a wide margin. Simaudio and PS Audio were fine units (I own a PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC/bridge and love it; they build great stuff). I read some articles where the reviewers thought the Jolida was at least the equal of the Herron phono (hard to imagine because I have had the VTPH-1 and now have the VTPH-2, and nothing I've auditioned bests the VTPH-2).
More to discover