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Phono Pre with regular Line Input

I hope you guys can help me out.

Does anyone know any Phono Pre that I can also use as a preamp? I'm not interested in a preamp with phono input. What I'm looking for is a unit that is phono first with an option of being able to plug in my CD player.

I understand that Manley Steelhead has a pair of line input, but I really cannot afford to spend $8K or ($4.5K used).

Will I be better off getting a preamp w/ phono input, such as CAT SL-1?

Thank you,
ainkfek

Showing 2 responses by rudolffzigray

rudolffzigray
31 posts
 
I have not tried to use the Manley Stealhead as a preamp. But I will say that it is absolutely one of the finest phono stages in the world. I have owned most of them and the manley was the best in my system by a considerable margin. Here is a list of some that I have owned...

Tom Evens Groove+ SRX
BAT 10se with Super Pack and P-5
Aesthetix IO and Rhea
Sutherland PHD
Haggerman Trumpet ( I still own ) Absolutely the best for the money...Was better than the BAT, Aesthetix and Sutherland. It is second to only the Manley.

EAR 324 and 834p
Whest 2.0
Herron

You cant go wrong with a manley on the used market. I have by-passed the autoformers and extra gain stages. I placed the Bent Silver Mu's in front for further improvements.

Although, the manley by itself bested everything above. IMHO.
rudolffzigray
31 posts
 

Ainfek,

No.. noise was not an issue. The Manley is dead quiet on my 107 db efficient system. The Bent Silver Mu simply out performs the Auto formers and extra gain stages in the Manley. Don’t get me wrong, the Manley’s nickel core auto former is very good and so are its gain stages, but nothing seems to compete with the silver Mu's. Every phonostage I have owned was improved by the them. They are the most transparent device in audio, in my experience. I will never sell them....never. I will be buried with them.

Rudy
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