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Venturing into Vinyl - Phono Stage Questions

Well, I'm finally taking the plunge. Albert Porter's Tuesday night sessions have effectively ruined digital for me, and I've decided to try analog for myself. But, I do have some basic equipment questions, and would appreciate the suggestions of the Audiogon community...

Right now, I am using Vandersteen 2CE's with a Rogue amp and an AES tube output CD player. I think I have found a turntable, but would appreciate some suggestions on a tubed preamp and phono stage. I'd like to stay between $550-750 for both, and it seems like my options are as follows. (1) Get an older pre with built in phono stage, or (2) go with lower cost separates.

So my questions are... How good are the built-in phono stages on some of the older preamps out there (I'm thinking older Audio Research, CJ, Audible Illusions, etc.)? How do they compare with some of the newer, budget level stand alone phono stages (e.g. Lehmann, Channel Island, Bottlehead, Hagerman, etc.)? I'm very interested in trying out the DIY kits out there (specifically the Bottlehead Foreplay or the Consonance Basie) for a preamp, so if the newer budget stuff is really as good as people seem to say, I'd be more than comfortable going that route (DIY pre and separate phono).

Any advice and recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric
ewha

Showing 1 response by upstateaudio

upstateaudio
249 posts
 
Welcome to analog. Another preamp to take into consideration that seems to be in plentiful supply is the Classe' DR5 or if you want to stretch a DR6(has separate power supply). That way you have a full function preamp that is solid state. You avoid having 2 components and hassling with tubes.

I have a DR6 myself. Classe customer support is excellent. Even though I am not the original owner, I shipped my preamp out to them to be checked out (I paid shipping). They shipped it back (free) in a new box and packaging and did not charge me a thing as they found nothing wrong.
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