2. analog
  3. 160552-118739

Phono preamp worth it with MM cartridges?

I've had conflicting advice from dealers so hoping for some clarity here. How much do phono preamps offer with sound quality and MM cartridges? (I understand they have a huge impact on sound quality with MC). 

My current setup is Rega P3/Neo/Exact/Groovetracer RS, Rega Elex-R amp, and Spendor A4 speakers and I mostly listen to classical, jazz, and light rock.

Will buying a Rega Aria phone preamp (or  iFi iPhono 3? Avid? Graham Slee? in the sub $2k range) make a worthwhile difference or should I wait till I buy an MC cartridge before splurging ? 

Thanks, Roger
wqgq_641
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@lewm  As I said 30-100k Ohm (which is from 30k to 100k). 
When you will look at the manuals for MM cartridges from the past you will see a range of recommended load from 30k to 100k. I'm not gonna say 30k is better, I prefer 100k Ohm nearly for every MM. But when the best MM cartridges were designed the loading range from the manufacturers was 30 000 - 100 000 Ohm.

Today 47k Ohm is standard, but today's MM cartridges are 95% junk.  
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
Forget all the fancy specs and numbers people are spewing out. The P3 with Exact combo is a very lively and fun sound.With this set up you dont need a $2000 phonostage, you will wind up wanting a new table! Then things just start going sideways....different is the new word not better. So, having a phono preamp such as a Musical Surroundings phonomena (with tons of settings) or even the $1200 Nova would be a perfect match with your setup, AND this would allow a upgrade for any cartridge in the future you would desire.

Matt M
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,609 posts
 
good phono stage still matters, for sure

it is still absolutely critical amplification, earliest in the signal chain

the rega aria is a very good $1500 phono stage but its mm portion is actually relatively ordinary... people buy the aria for the flexible and very high gain mc stage it provides

suggest you consider a lehmann black cube or graham slee - not too expensive, very quiet, superbly clean and non-editorial to the sound of the signal being fed in ... then make sure you are running a damn GOOD mm cartridge
ericsch
750 posts
 
Before you put down any cash for a cartridge, get the tonearm spacer issue sorted out.
bryansavitz1234
8 posts
 
I agree with the cart upgrade first. Try a Soundsmith Carmen Mk2. You can find the older body ones on sale for a very reasonable price for what they achieve sonically. Will be dramatic upgrade from the cart you have now. The Rega Phono stage is good for sure. But get the cart changed first. Then see from there...
More to discover