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Phono Pre-Amp Questions

Hi all, I've posted a few times recently as I have just returned to the joys of vinyl. I've noticed some talk about phono preamps and am curious and interested.
1. Can they really be that much better than the phono stages of a conventional pre-amp?
2. I'll assume they hook up to your power amp,integrated etc, and of course the TT is hooked up to it. Do they come with RCA and unbalanced inputs? My power amp has both and changing the cables every time I want to listen to the TT sounds like a pain.
3. Which models here on the used market would you guys suggest? I have the Pro-Ject Carbon that goes for 400.00 bucks. I would like to spend up to around 300.00 if one worth having can be had for that.
Assoc equip:
Aragon 8008BB Dual Mono power amp
Muscial Fidelity A3cr dual mono pre
PS-Audio P-300 Power Plant
Wharfdale speakers.
Thanks all and I appreciate the responses.
zar
redglobe
223 posts
 
If you could stretch to $500 for a Jasmine LP2.0MKII, you would have a phono pre that you could easily live with as you upgrade. I chose the Jasmine based on threads of audio forums and received direct recommendations from other veteran audio enthusiasts that appreciate value.

You acquire it through Ebay, direct from China, szeastsun (is the member).
tbromgard
814 posts
 
The shielding offered in a good separate phono stage makes a noticable improvement vs a phono in an integrated amp.

I have a MF 3.2 integrated which has built in phono, and pretty good to0. But no match for the Jolida. Im getting a Jolida unit next week-looking forward to it.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
+2 on the Jolida. IMHO it punches way above even its new price point.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Another thumbs-up for the Jolida JD9.

With its full-size chassis and grown-up power supply, the Jolida starts with a good foundation and adds an immense range of gain, capacitance, and resistance settings. Being able to dial in *just* the right capacitance or resistance goes a long way to getting your cartridge to sing at its best.

I've had mine for 1-1/2 years and have no urge to upgrade. Quiet, smooth, musical, yet detailed and dynamic with a most natural tonal balance.
sarcher30
596 posts
 
Zar, A separate phono stage will need to be hooked up to your preamp like any other source. They usually do not have their own volume control. There are exceptions but none in your price range that I know of.

I used to have a MF-308 integrated and it was not hard to better the built in phono stage. At the time the Gram Slee 2SE was better and about $300.00 but that was a while ago. I did not find the Gram Slee 2SE that good either but it was an improvement. I have no experience with any of the newer phono stages in your price range but the Jolida does look interesting.
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