2. analog
  3. 1016843413

Preamp-phonostage selection for analog lover

This is my first thread here. Maybe it should go on the amp/preamp board but I am hoping that analog lovers, like me, will have a specialized knowledge base and be gracious enough to provide me with some help.

I really, really like the sound of vinyl. Several months ago, I bought a VPI 16.5 and since then have cleaned about 1,500 of my older LP's. I have a very nice McCormack SS amp, a Clearaudio Champion TT with an average AT cartridge (that I will be replacing), and a pair of Aerial 8 floorstanders. I have been using a borrowed Lehmann Black Cube from a friend. The Cube is okay, but I want to buy my own different from the Cube. Now I want to buy a USED TUBE preamp and a phono stage or a combination pre/phono (I know most people like the separates but I would like to go combo if at all practical). I will, of course, be using the TT and also an older Sony analog tuner. I will be using a run-of-the-mill CD player from time to time, but a high quality digital front end is NOT important to me, nor is it in my future.

Can those of you with more recent experience than I in analog give me some recommendations that would match with this amp, TT, speaker combo. I am also open to cartridge choices. I would like to stay with a good MM for now but would like to have a phono stage with the flexibilty to use an MC in the future. Oh, yes, and I'd like to spend between 1200-1800US on USED component(s)(I prefer someone else to take the knock down, I refuse to buy new in this area)! Please try to suggest units that fall within my price range USED not new, Bang for my buck, you know... Maybe 500-750US on a NEW cartridge - this lot I refuse to buy used! HA)

Thank you
Barbara
lpspinner

Showing 1 response by sdcampbell

sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Hi, Barbara. I join Sean in welcoming you. I'm not going to add much to this conversation, except to pose a question, and make one comment. You state that you have been listening to the Lehmann Audio Black Cube -- is it the version with the original power supply, or the newer, much larger power supply called the PWX?

If you have not heard the Black Cube with the larger PWX power supply, you should audition it. I own a Black Cube that has been upgraded to the new power supply, and I must tell you that it this "SE" version is a really significant improvement over the "standard issue" Black Cube. My wife, who is not particularly attentive to my system changes, commented on how much better the upgraded version of the Black Cube was over the original. The Black Cube has two gain stages, one intended for MM (40 db gain), the other for MC cartridges (60 db gain).
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