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  Can anyone recommend a Phono Pre Amp?
Hello again,
I have a Project 9 with a Dynavector X-H high output cartridge connected to my Musical Fidelity XLPS-v3 by Synergistic Looking Glass active cables. I'm driving all this with Rogue Audio 150 monoblocks through a Rogue Audio 99 pre amp and Martin Logan SL3's. My system sounded bright at first but after about 150 hours of use warmed up quite a bit. The Musical Fidelity is kinda warm but dry. I have also tried the PS Audio phono pre amp that had way more detail but was a little edgy and lacked mid-range warmth. I'm looking to spend about $1ooo, hopefully less. Any recommendations?
Zeal  (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

07-26-08
  Responses (1-33 of 33)
Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

07-26-08   Get the project tube-box. they come up sporadically and have ...   Lindisfarne

07-26-08   I've heard good things about the aqvox...might be worth chec ...   Sbank

07-26-08   Given that you have a dynavector cartridge, you might want t ...   Johnnyb53

07-26-08   I recently picked up a used eastern electric minimax phono ( ...   Thorman

07-26-08   The dynavector is very good. in a completely different leagu ...   Restock

07-26-08   i second restock's recommendations. used jlti's are about ...   Islandmandan

07-27-08   Thanks guys for your fast replys and opinions. has anyone he ...   Zeal

07-27-08   The ear 834p is admired by a lot of tube-lovers (including m ...   Eweedhome

07-28-08   Years ago i was loaned a phenomenon while i waited for the p ...   Stevecham

07-31-08   If you didn't edginess and lots of detail i would stay away ...   Mantisory

07-31-08   I agree with manitsory on the jlti. i find it a little grain ...   Audiofeil

07-31-08   Audiofeil, i didn't think the jlti is at all grainy or edgy ...   Restock

07-31-08   Also some more comments for zeal: if you are looking for a l ...   Restock

07-31-08   Has anyone tried the musical surrounding nova phono stage. i ...   Zeal

07-31-08   You can try a home trial of the jlti. new it's a little over ...   Deaf_j

07-31-08   I believe kevin carter has a budget version of his k&k phono ...   John_tracy

08-01-08   Yeah, before i bought the arc, i was looking seriously at th ...   Mantisory

08-01-08   Has anyone heard the eastern electric mini max? i hear its a ...   Zeal

08-01-08   Having compared the eastern electric mini max against ear834 ...   Viper_z

08-01-08   I am very happy with my simaudio moon lp5.3. very quiet, na ...   Countingbackwards

08-11-08   I own the ear 834p which i like very much, i also have the j ...   Pedrillo

08-14-08   Ok so far i have auditioned the ps audio gcph and the musica ...   Zeal

08-15-08   Viper that dodd is gorgeous! is that a burl wood front? zea ...   Mikeyc8

08-17-08   mikeyc8, it's quilted maple. when i tested out dynavector p ...   Viper_z

08-18-08   Viper when you tested the p75 was it with a dynavector cart? ...   Mikeyc8

08-18-08   If you can accept a used one you should look about a klyne 6 ...   Heradot

08-18-08   mikeyc8, i tested the p75 with dynavector 20xh.   Viper_z

08-18-08   Zeal your question: can anyone recommend a phono preamp ? t ...   Oem

08-19-08   Viper, i also tested the p75 mk2 with a ho cart (10x5) and i ...   Mikeyc8

08-21-08   Thanks for all the feedback fellow audiogoners, and we are g ...   Zeal

08-23-08: Vleena2
Zeal. I own PS Audio Phono, and concur with you finding on this phono. It sounds flat, liveless, lack of mid range warmth. I recently purchased a K&K SUT to be used with my Zu103DL cartridge, and found the whole sonic change, not only increasing gain. This combination gives me sweeter, juicier, more musical, and warmth like tube preamp.  Image and sound stage are also improved dramatically by using K&K SUT.  I also owned EAR 834 Deluxe early for 4-5 months with my previous TT, and feel that K&K + PS Audio reveal more details, more dynamic and lower level bass than EAR 834. 

Now I am sitting on 2 dilemmas for upgrading my phono stag set up, whether to replace the SUT with a better one like EAR MC3/MC4 / Auditorium, or to replace the PS Audio with tube phono stage.  However, a few of the great features of  PS audio phono that I will miss are its flexibility, allowing gain and loading choices and gain control knob to be used as volume. My PS audio (which is latest version)  also comes with remote control function. 

My current TT set up includes Nottingham 294 and Benz Micro Wood L2 cartridge.

I found the SUT is worthwhile option to explore although a lot of people dislike it.

 

Vleena2  (Threads | Answers | This Thread)


08-23-08   I highly recommend the heed quasar.   04rdking

08-24-08   I second the heed quasar. i'm using one right now with my re ...   Will_herrera


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