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Phono Stage for passive preamp control

Considering transformer-based passive preamplification. Can anyone suggest a quality tube phono stage with sufficient gain for lower input MC pickups in such a configuration ($2K new or used range)? Don't need volume control on the phono stage, but could go with one that wil bypass the volume control. Am I restricted to a SS phono stage in order to have sufficient gain WITHOUT a step-up device?
4yanx

Showing 2 responses by twl

twl
3,251 posts
 
I have also seen used IO phono stages at around $2500. But I didn't mention them, because they have no volume control, and when you add the Bent Unit, you are around $3500. If you can stretch up to that level, then you couldn't do any better than an IO with a Bent Audio TX102 volume control.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Yes, probably you are restricted to SS if you want that much gain, without spending a ton of money. If you get a step up transformer, you could do it with a tube unit. Bent Audio makes a set of step up transformers that are high quality, and allow you to make your own high-quality step up for about $400. Pretty easy if you can solder. Or you could get a pair of Jensen transformers for even less, and do the same thing, but I think the Bent ones are better.
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