1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 196325-155559

How do I choose a phono preamp?

I’ve not owned a turntable in almost 40 years and want to start listening to vinyl again.  Im starting from scratch and hope to get guidance on how to select a preamp and table that will likely be the last one I own.  My current equipment includes and BAT VK-60, an Eversolo A8 Streamer, a BAT VK-52SE preamp, a Revox Reel to Reel and a pair of Martin Logan CLS-1s.  I will soon be adding a second VK-60 and will convert the amps to mono.  

I know nothing about phono preamp, turntables, or cartridges.  Where do I start?  Budget is around $15k USD for all and I don’t mind purchasing used equipment.  I’d appreciate any thoughts.  

patrickalston
patrickalston OP
177 posts
 

Agreed.  I count my blessings everyday.  Rest assured, though, I will share my thoughts when I get it back together.  

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
6,197 posts
 

"What I need to understand the realationship between the phono stage and the cartridge.  Seems complex with talk about resistive and capacitance loading. Where does one go to learn about those topics?"

You have to adjust the phono stage to the the specs of the cartridge. Inside your BAT should have the adjustments to do it. Quite simple when you see it.

patrickalston OP
177 posts
 

Let's hope.  I'm going to get in it this weekend. Still waiting for my other monoblock to to return from service which gives me time do some audio-related housekeeping. I just received my new line stage.  So, I'll be setting up the system, building speaker cable, and opening up the phone stage to pass the time while I wait.      

All this spare time with my system down is causing me to fidget. I was bored, window shopping on eBay and purchased a tube FM tuner today that I've been searching for over the past several years.  Now, I just need to find my dream DAC at the right price.

More to discover