I might suggest that you give Keith Herron a call. I have found him most engaging. Maybe start talking pricing options. What's the worst he could say?
Pick A Tube Phono Preamp, but not just any Tube Phono Preamp
I am hoping some of the experts will help with the decision, I'm an audiophile newbie but learning much from the people here! One thing I have learned is that everything is in synergy, so a $30K preamp is out of place with a $1K amp. I already know I don't have the money to purchase truly exotic audiophile quality, somewhere I read you can get 90% of the way there at 30% of the price.
The tube phono preams are in the $1500 - $2000 range, but of course less $ would be OK if the quality is still there, and purchasing used here extends the possibilities.
I have a HOMC cartridge, Dynavector 10X5. I can't ever see getting a truly exotic LOMC cartridge, but maybe at some point I'd look for an upgraded MC cartridge. The 10X5 seems truly excellent though, but that is for a different time.
I'm thinking of an Allnic H1201, a bit beyond the upper $2000, the Eastern Electric Minimax Phono, which even new is $1500, and used is less, the Audible Illusions Modulus 3A, which used is in the range, but I'd be using the MM input, the Decware ZP3, and the EAR 834P. I'm thinking there may be others in the range that people here know of to think about.
The Modulus 3A has several other inputs besides the phono, which seems to be a benefit, but maybe then the phono portion has been a lesser focus than on a strictly phono preamp? The downside is to go to a LOMC cartridge it needs a new replacement board, which isn't tube based so that is a question. I'm thinking people would use a SUT and keep using the MM input, but I could be wrong.
The Eastern Electric just seems to be excellent quality, but it seems a fair amount of the price for it, as many of these, is to accommodate the LOMC cartridges. With the Decware ZP3, if you go with a LOMC, you then have to buy an additional ZMC, and get the correct one based on the cartridge. But that means the ZP3 is focused completely on the MM and HOMC cartridges, which seems to be a good thing. The end result though is that in the end the Decware may end up costing much higher than the $2000 upper limit.
The EAR834P seems to be highly recommended, but many of those recommendations are from people who've had it heavily modified. In factory stock condition it is still well thought of though. It is also possible to get the 834P for only MM, but once again in the long run that would be a questionable choice, it is probably better to get the MM/MC version at a higher price.
So it is a question, and I'll appreciate the opinions.
The tube phono preams are in the $1500 - $2000 range, but of course less $ would be OK if the quality is still there, and purchasing used here extends the possibilities.
I have a HOMC cartridge, Dynavector 10X5. I can't ever see getting a truly exotic LOMC cartridge, but maybe at some point I'd look for an upgraded MC cartridge. The 10X5 seems truly excellent though, but that is for a different time.
I'm thinking of an Allnic H1201, a bit beyond the upper $2000, the Eastern Electric Minimax Phono, which even new is $1500, and used is less, the Audible Illusions Modulus 3A, which used is in the range, but I'd be using the MM input, the Decware ZP3, and the EAR 834P. I'm thinking there may be others in the range that people here know of to think about.
The Modulus 3A has several other inputs besides the phono, which seems to be a benefit, but maybe then the phono portion has been a lesser focus than on a strictly phono preamp? The downside is to go to a LOMC cartridge it needs a new replacement board, which isn't tube based so that is a question. I'm thinking people would use a SUT and keep using the MM input, but I could be wrong.
The Eastern Electric just seems to be excellent quality, but it seems a fair amount of the price for it, as many of these, is to accommodate the LOMC cartridges. With the Decware ZP3, if you go with a LOMC, you then have to buy an additional ZMC, and get the correct one based on the cartridge. But that means the ZP3 is focused completely on the MM and HOMC cartridges, which seems to be a good thing. The end result though is that in the end the Decware may end up costing much higher than the $2000 upper limit.
The EAR834P seems to be highly recommended, but many of those recommendations are from people who've had it heavily modified. In factory stock condition it is still well thought of though. It is also possible to get the 834P for only MM, but once again in the long run that would be a questionable choice, it is probably better to get the MM/MC version at a higher price.
So it is a question, and I'll appreciate the opinions.
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- 40 posts total
Get a PH16 from VTA - http://tubes4hifi.com/PH16.htm You won’t find a better phono preamp anywhere. You can buy it as a kit and build it yourself for $700 or fully assembled and tested for $940. The value in building a kit is that you end up being much more deeply involved with it, and frankly, you get a lot more pleasure out of it. If you don’t know how to solder or just don’t have a place to do the work, then get the assembled unit. Hit the web page at the link above. |
I use a Jolida JD9 II phono preamp (2 X 12AX7 tubes) with the level 1 upgrade ~$800. It has low and high RCA outputs and enough dip switches for nearly any cartridge set up. I am very happy with it. My other gear is a Jolida Fusion 3502S integrated with 4 X 6550, 2 X 12AT7 and 2 X 12AX7 tubes. Jolida Foz XT-R, VPI Scout II with 300rpm motor, classic platter and Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. MartinLogan Motion 60XT speakers (bi-wired). Audioquest cables all around. Phoenix Engineering Eagle and Road Runner speed control for turntable. Everything works well together. For about $12,500 it is as much stereo as I’ll ever need considering I’m 64. |
You may want to post this on the Analog section as well since some hardcore vinyl members don't leave that section. That aside, I'll throw in Mapletree Audio and Aric Audio as two more options for all tube preamps. I have one of Aric's line stage preamps and it sounds wonderful. Not fancy outside but high quality components inside. |
- 40 posts total