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What is the Best Phono Pre-Amp Under $750?

I have been doing research on what is the best phono pre-amp under $750. I have narrowed my slection down to the Jasmine LP2.0 MKII, Sound-Smith MCP-2 or the F-117 Nighthawk. My first choice had been the Jasmine unit but I saw a review by Philip Holmes from Dagogo (March 2010) and he said the Sound-Smith MCP-2 sounded better to him than the Jasmine stock unit.

I would appreicate audigon members opinion on what they think is the best phono stage for under $750. I would also appreciate members thoughts on the 3 units mentioned above and any problems they may have experienced with these phono pre-amps. I am somewhat concerned about the Jasmine unit since it is made in China and possibly would need to send it back to the manufacture in China for repair (which would be costly).

Please note I will be using the phono pre-amp unit with a Denon 103R cartridge (with Sound-Smith upgraded stylus) and Well Tempered turntable.

Thanks for your help.
cbman
12 responses Add your response
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,686 posts
 
"Best" is in the eye/ear of the beholder. There is no definitive "best" anything, it's all subjective. When you ask a question like this, the answers will always be what folks think is "best" to them in their system.
tmiddle
96 posts
 
See if you can locate a Heed Quasar demo. Got mine for $700 (demo) and am lovin' it.
manitunc
795 posts
 
For its street price of under 750, I think the PS Audio GCPH is the best combination of sound, convenience and features you can buy. Can be upgraded and also run straight into an amplifier without going through a line amp and has a remote control.
swanny76109
382 posts
 
Second the GCPH, can find them used here all the time for 500.
sgunther
187 posts
 
used Moon LP 5.3 is very good and should be close to your price range.
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srama
65 posts
 
I'd throw the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II into the mix. Don't know if it's the "best" under $750 but it sounds absolutely incredible to me. It is also a winner in terms of sheer versatility with its extensive settings, allowing it to be used with pretty much any cartridge that is out there.
icorem
149 posts
 
I will also go with the gcph. You can find new ones on a'gon for around $600.
plato
1,543 posts
 
I bought three different PS Audio GCPH's (new) at different times to see if I could find one low enough in noise and hum to use with my 0.26mV MC cartridge. They were all objectionably noisy and I sent them all back. Maybe the other posters had better luck than I did but I think they probably are just using higher output cartridges where the noise level would not be as noticeable.

For my money the Ray Samuels Nighthawk F117 is the one to get. It is quiet, sounds very good and will accommodate almost any cartridge out there with its front-panel rotary control knobs. YMMV

Also, if you could find a used EAR 834P or Cayin Phono One for a good used price, that would be even better.
dhcod
710 posts
 
I second any tube preamp you can get. For instance any George Wright phono stage (which should be in your price range... the go fast so check the classifieds here often) will put a GCPH to shame... in terms of spacial reproduction and tonality especially.
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hammy
176 posts
 
New issue of Stereophile Recommended components gives "Bob's Devices Cinemag" (uses 2 Cinemag 3440 step-ups) a class B rating for $400.Bested step-up in reviewers Shindo Masseto pre-amp.The Soundsmith MCP2 ($700) was also class B. F-117 Nighthawk was rated class C.

Silvercore One-to-Ten ($630) was also class B.

Seven phono pre-amps are compared, including the Sounndsmith MMP3 and MCP2, so you may want to buy the October 2011 issue.
manitunc
795 posts
 
I have cartridges ranging in output from .2 to .3mv and have never had a noise problem, even at the highest gain level setting so I dont know that it is the GCPH that is causing the problem or maybe something else in your system or an interaction between the two. All I can say is that noise is not an inherent problem in the GCPH. It is at least as quiet as my SimAudio LP5.3.
cbman OP
5 posts
 
I would like to thank everyone for the thoughts regarding my request. I thank you for the different suggestions. I also want to thank Hammy for his recommendation in checking out the new Stereophile Magazine.

Again, thanks for all the help. Any additional thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.
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