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Need advice with a phono stage for my BAT VK-50...

I need a phone stage for my BAT pre-amp, the VK-50. I've never had a phono stage for this pre-amp and I have a few questions. (Please excuse my total lack of sophistication with this subject.)

My turntable is a VPI HW-19, MK 3. I don't want to spend alot on this, up to $1000 maximum and preowned is fine. I don't collect vinyl anymore but I do have about 100 records (Dad, what's a record?) that I'd like to play. My questions:

1) What's a decent p/s to purchase that would pair well with these components?
2) Does this have to be installed into the pre-amp, or is it a separate component that merely requires interconnects?
3) What other questions should I be asking?

Thanks for your help.
dennisb

Showing 3 responses by dennisb

dennisb OP
7 posts
 
prehistoric. The only number I can find on the cartridge is 401. I assume I will be changing that first. So, it looks like I need a cartridge and a phono stage. This is unchartered territory for me.
dennisb OP
7 posts
 
Sorry, I didn't enter the above response correctly. I meant that my cartridge is a prehistoric (15-year-old) Audioquest that I haven't used in years.
dennisb OP
7 posts
 
These are all great responses. Thanks very much. Even though my priorities are just to play my existing LP's right now, I'm sure venturing into this area will whet my appetite for vinyl. I'm aware that the VK-50 doesn't permit a phono card; my unfamiliarity with this area of audio caused me to ask in my initial post if the stage is something that would be embedded or is it external; it seems like the latter. Whenever I've asked a dealer to recommend a phono stage for this wonderful pre-amp, they've only mentioned a couple of options including BAT's for $2000 or so.

BTW, I would tend to play acoustic like Brazilian or guitar, opera, jazz and classical on vinyl other than anything else. I would prefer the warmer, more natural sound for this type of music. Which leads me to another question; Should the phono stage be tube or SS? The preamp is tube, and my next amp will be tube again, as my CJ finally succumbed to old age, so I'm using an old SS back-up amp for now.

Again, thanks for all your help.
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