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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
lewm
14,677 posts
 

It's hard to imagine going up to the attic to listen to music when one has two other systems available elsewhere in the house, unless the wife dislikes the music.  But is the mentioned flexibility really needed in such a 3rd system (referring to both MM and MC gain options and the requirement for front panel adjustable R and C loading)?

elliottbnewcombjr OP
7,769 posts
 

You shouldn’t try and tell people how to live their life. He’s a friend, that’s what he wants, how can I help, that’s all I ask.

I pass on my experience, any options I can think of, and my considered opinion is to keep his existing Counterpoint Preamp and add a SUT like mine, a few inputs, a few loading options, PASS for MM, done!

Maybe he's bored with the Counterpoint, or just wants to know what his options are.

He doesn't have the luxury of time that I do, and I enjoy learning about stuff, so I ask everyone here!

lewm
14,677 posts
 

Sheesh!  I am not telling anyone how to do anything, let alone how to "live their life".  If your friend could forego some of the adjustability, then the options widen and cost goes down.  That is all I was inferring.

maverick2108's avatar
maverick2108
42 posts
 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650288876-supratek-cortese/

iopscrl
211 posts
 

Audio Research SP10 can be found in your price range, if you are patient.  2 phono stages, with variable impedance.   Quiet, reliable, wide, deep, 3d soundstage.   NO remote.   Phono stage is excellent, and one would have to upgrade to something like a Luxman EQ500 to experience noticeably better reproduction.

AI M3b is the latest model of this classic preamp.  Dead quiet- I've used ss equipment that had a higher noise floor.  Excellent soundstage.  1 phono input however.

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