Phono Preamp - which Model should I use if required

[tanaka]

I would rather get a vintage integrated amp that has a built-in phonostage.
Most of the vintage amps have very nice phonostage because Lps were the norm at that time.

 

[jay]

Some say Technics 1210 is an entry level TT(I don't agree).Different people have different perceptions.

Regards,
Sachin

Now thats not fair.Technics 1200 series can't be compared with 242.

 

[jay]

I would say that the usage of the word "Entry level" is in the mindset. There is nothing like entry level or mid or high as long as it satisfies your needs. If it satisfies then this is the ultimate level :yahoo:

True!
But as its a device which brings in lot of wear and tear on the vinyls one has to be careful as what player,which cartridge he is using.

 

[manniraj]

True!
But as its a device which brings in lot of wear and tear on the vinyls one has to be careful as what player,which cartridge he is using.

Yes agree but the TT is in a very good condition and plays very nicely, no issues in the functionality but only that the volume gain is very low which I think I can either live with it or change the cart or get a CNC with high gain adjustments components. Also if I can get a Shure or Orto carts from US for under $40 or $50 I think it will be a great compliment to my TT as except the cart everything else is in top condition and can go on for 2 to 3 years or more.

 

[AmitKumar]

Yes agree but the TT is in a very good condition and plays very nicely, no issues in the functionality but only that the volume gain is very low which I think I can either live with it or change the cart or get a CNC with high gain adjustments components. Also if I can get a Shure or Orto carts from US for under $40 or $50 I think it will be a great compliment to my TT as except the cart everything else is in top condition and can go on for 2 to 3 years or more.

Hi

You should finalise the model of the cart after discussing with the forum members who have good idea about the cart and tone arm matching. People say ortfon carts are generally well suited for low mass tone arms where as Shure might be a good match for medium mass tone arm. Sorry if i am incorrect, my technical knowledge is nil on the subject. For my JVC TT i got multiple recommendations to use Ortofon, so i went ahead with Ortofon. also consider Audio Technica AT95E.

 

[sachu888]

Now thats not fair.Technics 1200 series can't be compared with 242.

I never compared 1200 with 242.I just posted people perceptions about things.I only said Phillips 242 is a decent TT and can be benefited with good quality amplification and matched cart like Ortofon OM10,Shure M97xe etc.Its not another plastic TT.It is heavy,with very silent motor.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[jay]

I never compared 1200 with 242.I just posted people perception about things.I only said Phillips 242 is a decent TT and can be benefited with good quality amplification and matched cart like Ortofon OM10,Shure M97xe etc.Its not another plastic TT.It is heavy,with very silent motor.

Regards,
Sachin

ok understood.

 

[navinsinha]

I agree with Sachin. The 242 is a very decent TT and even with M 44 - 7 it produces excellent SQ

 

[manniraj]

I agree with Sachin. The 242 is a very decent TT and even with M 44 - 7 it produces excellent SQ

Ok great Navinji so you also use the same TT, will surely discuss with you if I go the way of changing the stock cart.

thanks

 

[sachu888]

I agree with Sachin. The 242 is a very decent TT and even with M 44 - 7 it produces excellent SQ

Sir,did you receive your AR Xa from US?

Regards,
Sachin

 

[shafic]

ok understood.

The Philips 242 is an excellent TT and if tweaked properly it can take on the well known names.

 

[shafic]

I just read the following from my new "THORENS TD 125" Information handbook on transcription turntables.

'Facts you should know about the turntables'

"The job of a turntable is quite simple.It must rotate the record, so the grooves may be traced by the stylus of the phono cart. If is the job is so simple,what then marks the difference between an ordinary turntable and a perfect one? There are only two parameters to measure the quality of performance of a turntable (1) Rumble (2) Wow and fultter".

I feel that,if the TT controls the above nicely and pleases the owner, it is a good TT, whether it is a 'entry level' or ' high end' one.

 

[reubensm]

My honest take is, of all the phonostages I've ever heard, at different price points, the humble phonostage of my NAD 3020 is way beyond the rest. However you'd have to play the 3020 by itself to enjoy this phonostage fully. What I've noticed is that the moment you try connecting the 3020's preamp section to any other amp, the experience is definitely not the same. Guess its because of matching issues but many say that the magic of the 3020 can be experienced only when playing it by itself.

One aspect of the 3020 is that it is so musical that one would not want to turn it off, but would want to listen to album after album. There is absolutely no listening fatigue.

 

[sunder]

My honest take is, of all the phonostages I've ever heard, at different price points, the humble phonostage of my NAD 3020 is way beyond the rest. However you'd have to play the 3020 by itself to enjoy this phonostage fully. What I've noticed is that the moment you try connecting the 3020's preamp section to any other amp, the experience is definitely not the same. Guess its because of matching issues but many say that the magic of the 3020 can be experienced only when playing it by itself.

One aspect of the 3020 is that it is so musical that one would not want to turn it off, but would want to listen to album after album. There is absolutely no listening fatigue.

reuben, sometimes I thought that you would have kept the legendary Grundig 5000 integ.amp with you for a long time. How could you decide to go? But I dont know about it's phono. Still that is a roaring lion! Also I missed the opportunity to get that.
Regards.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Although it has always been possible to buy better stand-alone components, I agree with the comment (was it on this thread?) that, back in the day when turntables were the primary music source for almost everybody with hifi, amplifier phono stages could not be bad. If they had been, the amplifier would not have been worth buying.

 

[reubensm]

reuben, sometimes I thought that you would have kept the legendary Grundig 5000 integ.amp with you for a long time. How could you decide to go? But I dont know about it's phono. Still that is a roaring lion! Also I missed the opportunity to get that.
Regards.

Well, that was more of a decision taken by wifey, too much audio gear at home. That amp was great with a wonderful phonostage but I've always been a NAD fan and prefer to stay with NAD. Also, the requirement for a second system has also materialized as suddenly my wife has taken a liking to listening to religious music. Needed something less powerful than then Grundig beast but at the same time, it needed to sound great, hence the choice of the 3020.

 

[sunder]

Well, that was more of a decision taken by wifey, too much audio gear at home. That amp was great with a wonderful phonostage but I've always been a NAD fan and prefer to stay with NAD. Also, the requirement for a second system has also materialized as suddenly my wife has taken a liking to listening to religious music. Needed something less powerful than then Grundig beast but at the same time, it needed to sound great, hence the choice of the 3020.

Ok, well. Thank you.

 

[jay]

Dada, there are various factors that are effecting the gain of your record output when compared to CD. One of them is definitely the gain of your Int. Amp's Phono stage which can be much lower than CD player's line level input(~1-1.2V). Secondly the output gain of Shure M97 is comparatively on lower side ~4mV(7mV for M44-7). So the resultant is lower gain than CD line. Even depending how the voltages are being measured, one cartridge manufacturer may specify a level of say 4mV at 1kHz, while another specifying 4mV may mean thats the guaranteed minimum between 20Hz and 20kHz. The second cartridge may therefore sound slightly louder.

So, if you are not happy with your amps P/Stage gain, you have look for some Phono with a higher gain of about 45-50db in the specs. Before that please check the cartridge leads for any deposit/corrosion etc(unlikely but just incase). Or try any other TT with same cart. just to isolate/identify the problem area.

Regards,

Bhaskar

Going through some of you all's posts I was checking the specifications of Cambridge Azur 651P Phono Amp which supports both MM & MC Cartridge and also supports a gain of 55db.

As it's price is around 12,000/- INR is it worth investing considering my requirement where I am looking for a better gain (output) from my vinyls? Please suggest.

 

[hydra]

^^ The previous version -- the Cambridge Audio 640P was really good. I use one of those. It used to retail for 7000/- before it was discontinued. If you can find a new-in-box one, or a used one, it would be very good buy.

 

[sachu888]

^^ The previous version -- the Cambridge Audio 640P was really good. I use one of those. It used to retail for 7000/- before it was discontinued. If you can find a new-in-box one, or a used one, it would be very good buy.

Hi Hydra,
Cambridge Azur 651P is same model with on/off switch I don't know why so much difference in price.

Regards,
Sachin