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I need an economical but good phono preamp?

I have a Thorens 145 TT with Nagaoka MP11 cartridge, HarmonKardon DPR 2005 HT Receiver and JPW loudspeakers. I had a cheap phono preamp from Radio Shack but there is a very loud (annoying) hum. I ran my ipod through the preamp and still had the hum so I don't think it is the turntable.
Can anyone advise on an affordable (<$200), yet respectable phono preamp?
kmaclac
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
The Bellari VP129 can be found here used for under $200, this is a great little tubed phonostage.
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
609 posts
 
My pick: Yaqin MS-12B tube phono preamp. With sock Chinese tubes it was just about as good as bellari vp129 and Clearaudio micro basic. But after changing to NOS tubes, it works noticeably better than those two and almost as good as my friend's Audio Electronics PH-1.
karelfd
476 posts
 
Clearaudio Nano Phono; not only sonically an overachiever in its price bracket but also extremely versatile (e.g. finely adjustable gain)
http://www.clearaudio.de/eng/pv_nanophono.html
oilmanmojo
472 posts
 
Rotel makes a entry level phono stage that should meet your requirements. It is not on par with the best but its performance is solid. It does not work well with the very lo output MC cartridges but .24 and higher works well. price is about 150 dollars
dmagalhaes
5 posts
 
You can always pick up an Advent Model 300 Receiver. The phono section is nothing short of outstanding and you have a full preamp section as a backup. It's a saving grace for me right now since my PV-7 is at conrad johnson having the PS rebuilt.
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