Cost efficient phono preamp recommendation

I've been very pleased with the Camelot Technologies Lancelot phono stage I bought based on Fremer's rave. I picked mine up here on A'gon for $550, and they are about $1,000 new. This is a physically small, all SS op-amp based dual-mono design, with a separate battery power supply. It will accomodate both MC and MM cart's, and internal socketed resistors and DIP switches can be changed to adjust resistive loading, capacitance, and gain. The unit is very quiet, and sounds as good as Mikey claimed, to my ears - it easily outperformed the built-in tube phono stage in my old C-J PV-8 preamp.

However, for someone who doesn't do a lot of phono, it might be considered too tweaky, what with the adjustable parameters and two-box construction. Though it's not large or heavy, it is somewhat cumbersome; there are two DC umbilicals going from the power supply to the preamp (the wall AC goes to the battery supply for charging), and the preamp has inputs on one face and outputs on the other, meaning it's difficult for cable routing, and cables will probably be visible from the front. Also, the preamp is so small and light, that the cables tend to move it around at will.

But the Lancelot has sold me on the concept of fully adjustable resistive loading for MC cart's. It comes with a small selection of included resistors, but I went out and bought inexpensive extras of other values in the range that sounded best, substituting until I homed in on just the correct value for my own cartridge. I then bought this value in a premium variety, achieving great focus, clarity, and bass tautness, and combined with realistic HF air, rather than the exagerated tip-top treble end that results from running most MC's unloaded at 47k ohms, as some non-adjustable phono stages will make you do.

The Lancelot is based on the DACT module available in Europe if you hunt for 400USD, add a nice power supply and your there, for about 450 bucks, and with a good filter section in the power supply and a bit more heft, you can out do the Lancelot, the DACT is realy a nice unit.

Run the power supply at 20-50V and I like 32 V, and don't use a switching power supply unless you truely a filter wizard.

jeff

I think the Coda 03p is a great option. It has balanced i/o, all the gain, impedance, and capacitance adjustments you could ever want, and it is reasonably priced.

If you shop carefully, you could probably find one for $1k new. They don't show up on the used market often.

Never underestimate the value of a quality RIAA. Using the balanced i/o will dramatically reduce EMI/RFI from the delicate signal. Plus, if you think about it, MC cartridges are inherently balanced devices anyway.

People who run truly balanced phono are few and far between. I must admit this has left me scratching my head a few times...

You can pick up a Rogue 66 with Phono for under 800.00

I second the audible recommendation, and logistical limitations, of the Camelot Lancelot Pro. I would add that (1) customer service is outstanding from Camelot (they quickly sent me an odd-value resistor at no charge just for the asking), and (2) the unit is available new from Audio Advisor for US$899.

Thanks...any suggestions for a more idiot-proof unit? I don't have time to fiddle...especially during those rare times that I listen to LPs.

The Dynavector may have a suitable output allowing it to be used with the little wooden-cased Grado phono preamp, which runs off of a 9v battery, and whose sound is well-regarded (I haven't heard it myself). This is a simple-to-use unit, and the battery should last a long time if you only listen occasionally. You might try calling Bob at The Elusive Disc, whose advice I've always found to be trustworthy, to ask if this (or something else) would be a good match. Whenever you're talking about buying phono equipment, it can be very difficult or impossible to actually audition your options, so it is usually helpful to find an experienced professional you can depend on for your information.

Thank you Zaikesman I will.