Best Phono Preamp for budget system

Where do you see your system in two years? Will you make upgrades to the Arcam. Many choices, but perhaps the overall future goals are part of the response to this question. For the immediate future a Lehman Black Cube would suffice.

The weak link is the turntable. Don't worry about the phono section for now. Them glass and particle board TTs don't have adequate speed/rotational stability.

I think your system is nicely matched. Don't pursue the holy grail, enjoy the music. If/when you choose to upgrade I agree the TT is the weakest link. YMMV

Upgrade your table; it is entry level. A better phono stage will offer little or no difference.

Sometimes you can find a Gram Slee entry model (I forget the number) on Agon for around $200.

I agree with the recommendations on the TT. I started with the MMF5 when I got back into vinyl 1 1/2 years ago, and have since upgraded it and gone through multiple phono pres. The biggest improvement by far came with the table upgrade.

I have the Lehman Black Cube SE now - and like it much better than the other outboard phono's I tried - including the Belari VP129.

After your TT upgrade, consider a DIY kit such as the Hagerman Cornet.

I've since upgraded, but I'm having trouble letting go of my Cornet.. to the point of wanting to build a second system around it. It's highly forgiving of surface noise and sounds delicious.

Upgrade table and cart. Lenco anyone???

Thanks to everyone for all the great info. Looks like lots of agreement on a new TT. Which one?

Ha, ha, ha, ha ... "which one".

That's another thread. Search the archives for too many options.

But I would suggest adding the Hagerman Coronet to your list of phono stages if you plan on staying with high output cartridges (MM or MC).

Enjoy,
Bob

Hi,
I like tubes with my analog...more space/air and warm harmonics. Music is so much nicer with warmth. (o: You might enjoy the Bellari, or if you have more to spend, a vintage Vacuum Tube Logic or Counterpoint preamp.
As with anything, at some juncture you will arrive at a point of diminishing returns...you'll have to decide when you are content. Some seem to prefer chasing the elusive sonic grail over listening to/being moved by music. For me it's about the music. I have a modest system but it serves the music well. And I can buy more mint, vintage LP's with the savings. (o:
Happy listening,
David

Let's Keep this thread Going!

Hello testing 123 same ? budget phono pre-amp ,

What does a Coronet DIY kit go for and how much skill does it need? It has been a while since I passed High reliability soldering for digital techniques while doing swaptronics in the Air Force.

Right now my JVC QL Y66F TT has a Ortofon om 30 mm. going through a Carver Integrated Receiver. The signal comes out a matched pair of JBL 240 Ti's. That's all I have and I have always loved the way my records sound.

Now the amp is getting older and starting to clip. The Manley intergrated Stingray I have my eye on has no Phono stage. I may have the do re mi to strech out to a pair of Manley Snappers but still no Phono preamp. A Steelhead is way out of my range and after the amps I would like a new SOTA TT.

I would like the Preamp to have two inputs to run both a MM and MC TT when I do upgrade. After having the Carver 21 years I want to go back to tube driven sound once again. My first set up was a Dynaco kit amp, AR TT, and AR 3a speakers.

Lets keep this thread going

Listening to Jimmy Smith-Hoochie Coochie Man-Verve V6-8667 original vinyl

Help me keep this thread going a while.

Groovey Records

Groovey,

I built Hagerman's Cable Cooker kit and it was incredibly easy even though I have very little soldering experience. The Coronet looks to only have a few more parts than the CC, so you should have no problem.

Hag's PCB's are well laid out with plenty of room for soldering. He really makes the kits so just about anybody can do them. He also has immediate support if you have questions, just email or post to his forum.

If you're not feeling up to that, there's a finished one for sale here for $650 right now.