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

Correction, he has 4 systems, and two turntables in the attic (Technics) (single VPI in main listening system), one dedicated to Mono.

He’s on overload, but I think he has a desk in the attic, and listens to LPs while he works, and ready to try MC up there, but not sure which, possibly have VAS build him one. Steve is currently cleaning two of his cartridges, we will listen to Steve’s MC suggestions on his system when we pick them up. 

I think we have given him enough options in his budget.

btw, we all use VAS, 35 minutes from me. He takes his 2 Technics to Kevin of KAB who lives in walking distance from me, and easy driving distance from my friend. Another friend here in town has the vintage SP15 with the EPA-B500 Base which I installed for him, and highly recommend.

They both speak very highly of both Kevin and Steve as do I, and Ray, Steve's son. It's wonderful to see Father and Son working together, knowing Ray will keep it going another generation. I worry how he's going to meet a good woman holed up in his windowless shop!

elliottbnewcombjr

6,953 posts

03-04-2026 at 03:03pm 

@winoguy17 

That ModWright seems like a winner

https://www.modwright.com/products/ls-100-tube-preamp/

"Remote Control Functions Include:

• Power.
• Two remote trigger outputs.
• Selectable balance control, may be bypassed for cleaner signal path.
• Volume control.
• Mute.
• Input select.
• Monitor input select.

Preamp Functions Include:

• Upgrade slot for Optional in-board Phono stage.
• Built in headphone amp fed via tube driver stage.
• Home Theater Bypass.
• All pushbutton control, no toggle switches.

LS 100 Tube PHONO OPTION:

• One pair RCA inputs.
• Tube Design: (1)12AX7, (1)12AU7

@winoguy17 

It certainly looks like a winner, just add the phono board.

Price above his budget with the phono board added, only 1 used one on hifishark, foreign country, no phono board.

btw, You can add a phono board to a new or older Van Alstine, +$379., but if old, you need to send it to them to do in their shop.

You're looking for an all tube phono preamp that performs quietly with low output MC cartridges(0.2mV?)?  It doesn't exist, unless you're old and your hearing is not what it once was.  It's gonna hiss and if you're lucky, will not spit after six to 12 months.  If someone here knows of such a quiet perfomer, I'd like to know. Also, is there some good reason to not go solid state, at least for the phono preamp, and then that going into a tube preamp?

@vitussl101 

Do I detect an anti tube bias?

I used to hear hiss when I was much younger, and MC was new, all the pre-preamps, as some called them i.e. signal booster by any name, hissed, every one I heard, in all the NYC audio stores I visited. Not for me, pay all that money for noise?

I finally tried my 1st MC in 2019, age 71, no hiss. I thought, damn, they have gotten rid of the hiss! Got a nice SUT, no noise, even near my TT's motor, out to my Vintage MM Phono stage in Mcintosh mx110z tube tuner/preamp, hot damn, no noise.

I have some young eared audio friends, nobody hears any noise.

You must be going by some old memories, or poor designs.