Phono Preamp - which Model should I use if required

[jay]

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.

But Reuben Nad 3020 is an integrated amp and not a phono preamp.So u mean to say that the phonostage of this stereo amp is extremely satisfying?

 

[reubensm]

But Reuben Nad 3020 is an integrated amp and not a phono preamp.So u mean to say that the phonostage of this stereo amp is extremely satisfying?

Yes, the 3020 is an integrated amp, however there are many who use its preamp section only and even more who use only its phonostage. The 3020 also came in a dedicated preamp format called the 1020. We had that version at home. The 3020 had a very good phonostage but my NAD 106 preamp's phonostage is even better.

 

[hydra]

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

Regards,
Sachin

Very true! I was suggesting that the OP go for a 640p, not the newer one.

The difference in price must have to do with the recent vinyl resurgence and well, greed: What the economists really mean when they mention demand-supply relationship.