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Venturing into Vinyl - Phono Stage Questions

Well, I'm finally taking the plunge. Albert Porter's Tuesday night sessions have effectively ruined digital for me, and I've decided to try analog for myself. But, I do have some basic equipment questions, and would appreciate the suggestions of the Audiogon community...

Right now, I am using Vandersteen 2CE's with a Rogue amp and an AES tube output CD player. I think I have found a turntable, but would appreciate some suggestions on a tubed preamp and phono stage. I'd like to stay between $550-750 for both, and it seems like my options are as follows. (1) Get an older pre with built in phono stage, or (2) go with lower cost separates.

So my questions are... How good are the built-in phono stages on some of the older preamps out there (I'm thinking older Audio Research, CJ, Audible Illusions, etc.)? How do they compare with some of the newer, budget level stand alone phono stages (e.g. Lehmann, Channel Island, Bottlehead, Hagerman, etc.)? I'm very interested in trying out the DIY kits out there (specifically the Bottlehead Foreplay or the Consonance Basie) for a preamp, so if the newer budget stuff is really as good as people seem to say, I'd be more than comfortable going that route (DIY pre and separate phono).

Any advice and recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric
ewha

Showing 2 responses by albertporter

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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Doug, regarding your post.

kudo's to Albert for showing another music lover the way. Of course he doesn't really fight fair does he. Maybe he should buy a Meitner to be more evenhanded

I didn't notice a Meitner in YOUR system either :^).

Maybe you know (as I do) that you can spend $20,000.00 and not close the gap between digital and the best analog. Instead of being mad at it, I choose a cheap player and just enjoy it for what it is.
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
By the way, Eric is one of the brightest and nicest young men I have met in many years.

I guarantee he will become famous, I'm absolutely convinced. Look for him to become a Federal Judge, appointed to the Supreme Court or play an important role in politics.
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