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Phono Pre-amp for non-vinyl guy.

I’m not really into vinyl. But, I have an old direct drive Sony PS-T2 turntable with a Grado cartridge of some sort and 20-30 vinyl albums. I will occasionally buy new vinyl from new or emerging artists. Not really into vintage vinyl except what I have left from the 80s and 90s. My current phono pre is an ART DJ Pre II. And while I know nothing about vinyl hi-fi I am under the impression that this current phono pre sucks. It just sounds kind of flat and seems to be lacking at the high end. I have to turn the gain all the way up to get much out of it. I know it is not on the same level of my current system:

Audio Research LS-16 tube preamp.

Madrigal Proceed HPA2 (Levinson) amplifier

Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers

Transparent Audio Cables all around

To be clear, I am not looking for a phono preamp on the same level as the rest of the system nor I am I looking to buy a new turn table.

So my question is, what reasonably priced phono pre would be a decent step up from the ART DJ I currently have. I’d probably buy used.

Wondering about the Schiit Mani, the various Fosi models, Cambridge Audio Alva Solo and NAD PP2e.

n80
dtorc
114 posts
 

A really good inexpensive model that works for both MM and MC is the Andover Spinstage. I bought one as a substitute while my regular phono reamp was getting upgraded. With certain cartridges, it sounded very good indeed. Under $300.

 

David

dekay's avatar
dekay
6,216 posts
 

Try turning down the gain on the DJ and upping it on the LS16.

The DJ is cheap, but not crappy if used properly.

 

DeKay

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,078 posts
 

Skip schiit mani. It sucks. Noisy and flimsy. Not sure about their skoll F phono stage but hope it’s better. 
For $500 to get a musically engaging and good sounding phono stage will not be easy. May be try parks recommended above. Or try a used Sutherland KC Vibe Mk2, which I owned and liked. But again that’s a tough price bracket. 

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
6,199 posts
 

This should Pro-Ject fit the bill!

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prnt-prtbs2-sil?sku=NEW-PRTBS2-SIL

mahler123
4,066 posts
 

OP

 

your vinyl situation sounds a lot like mine.  I have a Technics Direct Drive and about 20 LPs.  I much prefer digital.  My cartridge is a Ortofon

2L Blue moving magnet. My phono preamp is a Cambridge Audio moving magnet only.  It cost around $400 4 years ago.  It was a definite upgrade from a Pro-Ject phono pre that had a USB connection to digitalized vinyl, and it seems to do the job quite well.  No doubt a $25K boutique tubed preamp would provide a more rarified experience but the CA is quite satisfying for those rare times that I spin an LP.

  Make sure that your Grado cartridge is a moving magnet if you are interested.  For another few hundred CA makes a preamp for both mm and mc .

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