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Tube Preamp with Full Featured Phono (both MM and LOMC with loading options).

My friend has very little room in one of his systems he wants to upgrade, so a single Preamp with Full Featured Phono built in is advantageous to him.

No Tape, Streaming, DAC needed, so not too many inputs, no XLR needed. Has two TT now, with external switcher to his existing Preamp, that's ok, but two Phono Inputs would be advantageous.

I'm gonna start looking, used is fine, budget 1,500 to 2,500 USD (stretch to 2,700 if just a few hundred more gets a great find).

Remote Volume and Mute would be nice, but not that important in that system. Usually, a Remote gets you a newer used item. I'm not living with remote volume, balance, mute. He could find room for the Chase RLC-1 Remote Line Controller he has heard here many times.

That opens the door to Full Featured Vintage Tube Preamps, but that is usually only MM Phono needing an external SUT, costing more, and taking more space. I showed him my FRT-4 SUT which fits under my Turntable, he could do that.

Lots of options, his preference is a single Tube Preamp with Full Featured Phono for both MM and LOMC.

Whew!

Any help will be appreciated, thanks in advance

Elliott

 

elliottbnewcombjr
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,924 posts
 

I've never seen or heard a Rogue.
 

excellent sounding components. I had the St-100 tube amp as well. 

mazian's avatar
mazian
449 posts
 

Love my VTL TL 5.5 especially when I changed the stock tubes with !960's NOS Mullards.

jperry
2,538 posts
 

Luxman is a good pick. CL-35 III has an option for MC. You need to purchase plug in SUT which is available on ebay

lewm
14,673 posts
 

I could be wrong, but I think the AI M3A and the CAT SL1 offer only a single pair of phono inputs, albeit you can hook that single pair of inputs up to either an MM or MC cartridge output.  I thought we are looking for a single phono stage that can accommodate at least two tonearms via separate pairs of phono inputs.  Otherwise this thread can degenerate into a list of good used phono stages, period.

elliottbnewcombjr OP
7,746 posts
 

@lewm 

Original Post

"Has two TT now, with external switcher to his existing Preamp, that’s ok, but two Phono Inputs would be advantageous."

Nothing is fixed in stone, it’s his 3rd system, so a great deal on a highly respected unit, with only 1 MM will work, not his ideal but, I sent him a separate collection of a few SUTs like mine with several inputs that he could put under a TT like I did. That solves his space issue, but not the best for budget.

Its not easy to see, but thru the removable armboard hole in the plinth, you are seeing the top of my SUT (black metal) and a glimpse of the 3 pairs of rca’s plugged into it’s back. It faces the side, has about 1mm of height clearance, I reach in and turn the knobs a,b,c .... and pick Pass or one of 4 optional x-factors/resultant impedances.

No hum even in that near proximity.

 

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