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Pick A Tube Phono Preamp, but not just any Tube Phono Preamp

I am hoping some of the experts will help with the decision, I'm an audiophile newbie but learning much from the people here!  One thing I have learned is that everything is in synergy, so a $30K preamp is out of place with a $1K amp.  I already know I don't have the money to purchase truly exotic audiophile quality, somewhere I read you can get 90% of the way there at 30% of the price.

The tube phono preams are in the $1500 - $2000 range, but of course less $ would be OK if the quality is still there, and purchasing used here extends the possibilities.

I have a HOMC cartridge, Dynavector 10X5.  I can't ever see getting a truly exotic LOMC cartridge, but maybe at some point I'd look for an upgraded MC cartridge.  The 10X5 seems truly excellent though, but that is for a different time.

I'm thinking of an Allnic H1201, a bit beyond the upper $2000, the Eastern Electric Minimax Phono, which even new is $1500, and used is less, the Audible Illusions Modulus 3A, which used is in the range, but I'd be using the MM input, the Decware ZP3, and the EAR 834P. I'm thinking there may be others in the range that people here know of to think about.

The Modulus 3A has several other inputs besides the phono, which seems to be a benefit, but maybe then the phono portion has been a lesser focus than on a strictly phono preamp?  The downside is to go to a LOMC cartridge it needs a new replacement board, which isn't tube based so that is a question.  I'm thinking people would use a SUT and keep using the MM input, but I could be wrong.

The Eastern Electric just seems to be excellent quality, but it seems a fair amount of the price for it, as many of these, is to accommodate the LOMC cartridges.  With the Decware ZP3, if you go with a LOMC, you then have to buy an additional ZMC, and get the correct one based on the cartridge.  But that means the ZP3 is focused completely on the MM and HOMC cartridges, which seems to be a good thing.  The end result though is that in the end the Decware may end up costing much higher than the $2000 upper limit.

The EAR834P seems to be highly recommended, but many of those recommendations are from people who've had it heavily modified.  In factory stock condition it is still well thought of though.  It is also possible to get the 834P for only MM, but once again in the long run that would be a questionable choice, it is probably better to get the MM/MC version at a higher price.

So it is a question, and I'll appreciate the opinions.

the_treble_with_tribbles

Showing 2 responses by soundermn

soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
I went down a similar path recently.  I had a Jolida JD9 for years, and was pretty happy with it mated to my Primaluna HP integrated.  When I got my 10x5, it became more obvious that the preamp is a little noisy with everything else I have.  

Here is what I auditioned:
-Musical Surroundings Nova II - had it for about 6 months.  Found it to be smooth, warm, and quiet.  But, rolled off at the high end.  $1200
-Lehmann Black Cube - sweet, but laid-back bass; clear highs, a bit lean in the midrange $1k
- JD9 - had it for 6 years.  Fully upgraded.  Nice, warm tube sound, but clean and clear overall.  Some "fuzzy" around vocals which I think can be typical of 12AX7.  Vocals a little forward.  $900
- Project TubeBox DS2 - auditioned next to PhonoBox RS.  This is a nice tube preamp, but not much different than the JD9.  It has a nice, sweet overall sound, good bass, clear highs, but it's a little noisy.  It's a lower end tube phono, and performs well in that space.  $750
- EAR834 - considered but didn't audition, because as you say it's all about the mods.  Having done that with the JD9, I don't want to go down that rabbit hole again.  Get one that's good out of the box.
- Decware - I briefly considered, but it seems like everyone ends up waiting a very long time for them to deliver.  I am impatient, and cannot wait months.
- Project PhonoBox RS - liked it a lot.  Bought it and had it for three months.  It's quiet, smooth, great bass, clear highs, nice midrange.  But, after having the demo a few months, then getting a new one and returning the demo, I decided it wasn't enough of a step up from the JD9.  I paid $1k, and would sell for less (see the classified ads on 'gon).  Let me know if interested... it only has about 10 to 15 hours on it.  
- Finally bit the bullet, and went for the Manley Chinook.  This one is a major step up.  It's still breaking in, but I can tell it's more musical, taut bass, sweet vocals and great highs.  It's what I've been looking for.  $2400.

You said the budget is $1500-$2k, which is the same as my budget.  I think that's a good budget to match with the 10x5.  I was able to find a Chinook under the $2k mark, and I think that's a fair price.  You have good recommendations above, but many are double your budget.  I suggest you consider a used Chinook, in your budget, or you can buy my RS, which is very good for under a grand.  :-)

Happy hunting, hope my notes are helpful!

soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
I read too about the Ares, and in the Stereophile article 1/13/10, by Erick Lichte it stated " The preamp can be run in all-tube or hybrid tube/solid-state to allow it to work with any cartridge you might want to throw at it.

I see the value in the flexibility here.  But, you are paying for electronics you won't use, since you'll only use one of those options.  And, that also means there are a lot more electronics and switches in the signal path.  I don't know... but at this level, I'd think that may be sub-optimal.  

I think the same holds true for 4 gain settings vs 2.  I had the Pro-Ject RS with four settings, and found that the difference between each is small, and you'll pick one that works for your cart and stick with it.  For my 10x5, the 45db of gain is plenty. 

I also noticed that 45db on one phono preamp isn't necessarily the same level as 45db on another.  Case in point, with the Musical Surroundings, 50db was good, but with the Manley and the Pro-Ject, 45db is good, and carries a similar volume level.
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