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Should I purchase an expensive phono preamp

I have a Nottingham Horizon TT with the Rega 250 arm and a Goldring 1000 series MM cartridge. This is hooked up to a Pioneer Elite VSX-99 AV receiver that has a built in phono stage. I am trying to improve on the phono stage but I am wondering if there will be diminishing returns going to the more expensive stages. I am considering Lehmann BC, Graham Slee Era Gold V and AcousTech PH-1. I listen to Jazz, Old School R&B and Classic Rock music mainly.
ejcpa
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Ejcpa, what cable are you (will you be) using from your tonearm to your phono preamp?
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
no..use the one provided on your pioneer until you upgrade the reciever.jaybo
ejcpa OP
16 posts
 
Its the cable that came with the tonearm and turntable (bought used on Audiogon). Doen't look to be very high quality.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
The Origin Live tonarm cable is an (maybe THE? I don't know) upgrade for the cable that came with. See:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtnrm&1145122254

But maybe this isn't the time (for you economically) to start upgrading those items. From the Bellari to the receiver, just make sure you use a good shotgun type, low capacitance (cause of the MM cart,) shielded cable. You can get Straightwire Maestro I or II, Audioquest. MIT, Purist Musaeus, all bargains new and especially used. I'd stay away from Cardas (too warm added to the Bellari) Kimber or Nordost. IMO
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I'm not sure if you can easily swap cables on the Rega. Mine is a continuous run, but it is a Brit Audio RB 250.
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