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Looking for a new phono preamp

Hi,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Here's the deal. I'd like to find a new phono preamp. I'd prefer solid state, tubes get noisy too fast. My latest cartridge is an AT-ART9XA. I'm currently running thru a sut into a cj pv10a with phono stage, but I have just got my hands on a Bel Canto pre5 that the new phono pre will be paired with.

I've got a hard upper limit of $2.5k, less is OK for the right unit. I'm looking to buy new. Dealers around me aren't really set up to demo vinyl, so I'm hoping the collective experience in here can at least point me in the right direction. Hopefully, it would have a one month return policy so I can try out the preamp.

TIA.

PsychoicReaction
psychoticreaction

Showing 3 responses by jjss49

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jjss49
6,609 posts
 
i run an art 9 (among other lomc’s), feel same way as you that i prefer ss phono stage for low noise, drive and linearity, and i put tubes downstream in the chain to get that goodness

for ss phono stages, i have been through 10-12 in my time, my favorites are the ayre p5xe, and the upper lehmann audio units... great great sound for (fairly) reasonable $

tried chord huei, musical surroundings, sutherlands, tom evans, rega, ps audio among others... kept the ayre and lehmann
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,609 posts
 
My reason for asking about the Herron is informational. As I said before, I haven’t completely ruled out tubes.

I don’t think I’m overthinking anything. I’m just trying to decide what to buy, and the information I’ve gotten from this thread so far has been extremely helpful.

okey dokey

good luck to you on your search and journey
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,609 posts
 
op

With regard to the Herron, am I reading it right that it is a hybrid design? The MC section is a fet based ss stage?


i think you are overthinking this

you run your gear lots lots of hours, tubes will burn out get microphonic need replacement - last i checked they haven’t fixed that problem about vacuum tubes

get a really good ss phono stage with plenty of gain and loading options - quite a few out there... be done, enjoy the music

not to say herron is not good stuff... it must be, there is a loyal, vocal following for this small proprietor owned outfit, excellent reputation - but if you want coffee and folks are saying tea because that is what they have chosen to drink, then is there really a debate? would herron put tubes in his phono stage and not have it in the signal path?
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