2. amps-preamps
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Tube preamp with or without phono stage?

I’m looking to add a preamp to my two channel system. Currently I’m using an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 as the pre fed by a Simaudio Moon 110LP as the phonostage. My amp’s a Benchmark AHB-2 and speakers are Paradigm Persona 3F. The Personas and Benchmark are recent purchases and I’m rebuilding backwards. I’ve been targeting a clear, detailed, neutral and dimensional soundstage. Very low noise and distortion.

I’d now like to add a tube preamp and have a few questions. What are the pros and cons of the phonostage built into the pre vs as a separate? My amp only has balanced in’s but I can use an XLR to RCA adapter if necessary, are there any concerns with using the adapter? Finally, any recommendations up to about $3-5k with some flexibility?

Thanks
jszei
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Do you think an external phono stage will diminish the sound quality by requiring additional interfaces and set of cables?

No. I have found quite the opposite to be true.
A separate phono stage, with it's larger, isolated power supply, and gain/loading options, has always seemed to out-perform any on-board phono stage that I've tried.
winoguy17
1,080 posts
 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-modwright-llc-ls-100-w-phono-stage-2017-05-06-preamplifiers-8...
 I own this and highly recommend it. Excellent phono stage.



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ncarv
983 posts
 
IMHO, this is similar to the issue of integrated amp vs. separate amp and pre-amp. I tend to generally agree with jmcgrogan2, although my Aesthetix Janus pre-amp, which combines most of the separate Calypso line-stage and Rhea phono-stage, does have on-the-fly gain and loading. Advantages are cost and shelf space. Separates would likely sound better, but I am satisfied.
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
I've had a working belief in my short audio enthusiast life that less is more. But I get that seperates and their power supplies can and are also beneficial. However in my experience thus far a 2k phono pre didn't come close to making that worth it though in my case. 
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
Iv had VAC, CJ, Jardis, Purity Audio Design Top of the Line and a few others which were SS state.

I would highly suggest you look into Atma-Sphere Preamps. Either the MP-3 or if you can swing it get the MP-1.

So far no other pre-amp I have come across sounded so pure.

The VAC Pre-amps were nice and sweet sounding but honestly the Atma detail retrival, soundstage, dynamics just were a few notches higher.

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