Is a separate phono pre really necessary?
I have an upgraded Rega P3 that is now essentially a P6 (groove tracer subplatter and counter weight, Rega Neo ps) that has a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC star mounted on it. It is then connected to a Park Audio Budgie Ten SUT and then to a Rogue Audio RP-5 preamp.
This question is about the phono stage in the RP-5. Would upgrading to a separate phone preamp of around $1,000 to $2,000 be a worthwhile upgrade from the internal phone preamp in the RP-5? And if so which phone pre do you guys recommend (notwithstanding all the caveats about subjectivity). I'm thinking of the soundsmith mcp-2, PS audio stellar phono, parasound jc3 jr., maybe a Manley Chinook if I can find a good deal.
The wrinkle is the loading requirements for the zephyr mimic star: >= 470 ohms. This makes a lot of phone preamps really not suitable for this cartridge (hence premaps with adjustable loading via a pot) because of the static loading options are mostly well below 470 ohms on most phono preamps
You can make cartridge loading plug with desired resistance for your phono stage. https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/cartridge-loading-plugs_topic1246.html
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Think I did something wrong so I will try again!
I had a Krell KPA and when I got my Ayre k1xe the built in phono stage was much better to my ears. A few years later a friend gave me an audio research reference phono stage. Which In my opinion killed the built in phono stage of the Ayre. So my experience the seperate phono stage can be better or worse. Let your ears guide you in your decision.
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