Preamp for VPI Prime 21 turntable $300-800

A moving coil preamp is asked to greatly and faithfully amplify with little noise. This not only requires a quality set of well designed internal components, but it must also have clean power. A good power cable can be found in your suggested price range, but I can’t imagine that a good used phono stage that will do your cartridge/table justice can be found.

@classicalguy

The problem is that everything is dependent upon everything else in your system and your own preference regarding presentation. I had a knowledgeable sales rep from a large internet vendor help me with advice. We decided to start with a $2400 Southerland preamp that was well reviewed, but it just didn’t make me happy in that I’m pretty demanding with regards to the reproduction of the human voice. I was looking for the detail of a good solid state phono preamp with some of the tonality of a good tube pre. Most importantly, I was looking for this in my system and my room. So, a good place to start is with a dealer you trust with a no questions asked return policy and hopefully a dealer that will give you a bit of a discount. I finally got what I wanted after upgrading my power, phono preamplifier, interconnects, turntable and cartridge, My dealer helped me throughout, except for the phono preamp. The one we wanted was on COVID back order. I ended up with exactly what I wanted by buying used via a dealer on this forum… but that’s another story.

@jasonbourne52 

After reading many of your posts it seems that you have a storehouse of equipment.  Yet, you don’t post a system.  I get it.  Must be same reason that you never start a thread.  Anyway, appreciate your wide ranging experience with gear.

@panzrwagn

Are transimpedance amplifiers appropriate for all moving coil cartridges, or are there impedance/gain concerns. I apologize, but I’m not that familiar with the design.