Teac PE-505
Small form factor, SS phono preamp recommendation.
Hello all.... I've been using the very capable iFi Zen Phono as a place-holder for quite some time now. Using it's balanced output and upgraded power-supply I think it's a fantastic little unit. My 'table is a Luxman PD171A with a Jelco 850 10" arm and right now it's mounted with my Hana Umami Red. I also have an Accuphase E-5000 and will soon be taking delivery of a pair of Borresen Z5 Cryos. With my cabinet (which my wife calls "the Ark of the Covenant"), and the overall aesthetics of the room, I'm looking for a small, solid state, very high performing phono preamp. Since I just spent crazy money on the Accuphase and Borresens my budget is limited to $3,000 or so. I've been considering a Nova III with the upgraded power supply, a graham Slee Accession with upgraded power supply, an Accuphase AD-40 phono card, or a Whest. What am I missing? I'm to the point that I want to settle into years of stability with my stereo, and just enjoy mining my record collection and the many great record stores in Chicagoland. Thank you for reading,
~Oran
@jorgjean , What do you like about the whest? What cart are you using it with? Music Direct has an open box PS.40RDT SE for sale right now and I’m intrigued by it. |
@robelvick @lewm @gemoody and others.... Thanks for the insights. It probably does make the most sense to stick with the Accuphase phono card. It would be easy to spend a lot more and end up with more cords, more complexity, more chance for extraneous noise to get picked up, and with my cost restraints, no guarantee of better sound. ~Oran |
Even though I have no personal experience with the product, I would recommend the Accuphase analog option board. A couple to choose from. They make one that is two slots wide, which could be cool if you have 2 arms or TTs...assuming you would not want the other slot for an Accuphase DAC card. @boothroyd , above, makes solid points.
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I had the Nova III with the LPS and I felt like, both for the money and the size, it was unbelievable. It was dead quiet and there was lots of detail. I moved to a tube phono pre which has it's own great attributes sometimes I miss my the quiet simplicity of the Nova. Downside was all the dip switches were on the back but unless you switch cartridges a lot it shouldn't matter |
+1 to the Konus Audio Vinyle 1000 MC MkIII. |
@grislybutter I should have mentioned that I used to own a Rega Aria, a more pricey unit than the Fono MM and found that it had way too much self-generated noise. With a good MM cart, your phono-stage may be a little less critical so you really have many good options. The CA Alva Duo was great and I probably shouldn't have sold the one I had. The iFi Zen Phono with it's upgraded power supply is super great too. Well, we just sold Village Baker and I should take down that system.... thanks for checking it out! I bet your pastries are wonderful. I usually find that people who bake at home bring real passion and care to baking and often make sublime pastries and breads.
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thanks @oranfoster For a Rega P3, is it better than the Rega phono stage? PS I am addicted to pastry and bake all the time |
@grislybutter Yes, the CA Audio Alva Duo is really quiet, resolving, and sounds great.
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@rsf507 Good thought, I'll look into it again.. and @boothroyd good point, I have one in my Accuphase E-470 (secondary system) and I should move it to my new E-5000 and really give it a good audition. @solypsa Intriguing option; are they available in the US? My new speakers will by the Borresen Z3's NOT the Z5's ! ~Oran |