Which MM Phono Preamp Sounds Best?

[sunder]

Sorry for the interruption. My friend brought me a brand new iphono about 8 months back but I did not like it then for 2 reasons. 1. It was new and was still in break-in period. 2. I did not know how to use it frankly. But I borrowed it second time when he came this time and I had my LOMC Denon DL 103 R and with a little from an FM, I managed to set the dip switches correct and wow, the outcome was just amazing. In my listening room, I have never heard anything like what I am hearing. It has brought the best out of the system. Now to MM, I have been using Shure 97 xe for several years and I used to think it was highly overrated by everyone until I set the correct loading and it sounded so balanced and smooth. I would consider the iphono phono stage to be the best phono stage at affordable price and the best I have heard in my listening room. I have borrowed a few reputed phono stages from my friends but did not like most of them. The only other phono pre amp that I liked apart from this is Yaqin MS 12-B which is again very smooth and classy.

Sir, apart from the preamplifier, what could be the differences between the phono stages of Yaqin MS 12-B & Yaqin MS 22-B? Is MS 22-B's phono stage the same of MS 12-B but without Pre amp section? Thank you.
Cheers,
sunder.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Sir, apart from the preamplifier, what could be the differences between the phono stages of Yaqin MS 12-B & Yaqin MS 22-B? Is MS 22-B's phono stage the same of MS 12-B but without Pre amp section? Thank you.
Cheers,
sunder.

Dear Mr. Sunder,
I have not heard MS 22-B. But coming from the Yaqin stable, it should be as good as the 12-B. Yaqin is one of those Chinese companies, trying to make a name in audio scene, and Yaqin MS-12B had excellent reviews when it was first introduced.

 

[kratu]

McCormack, Trigon, Lyrita, CNC = CA

That would probably be my order overall.

Thanks. I use a CNC, I think it is good start.

I've heard some good things about Lyrita's tube version. I hope to do a complete upgrade from a vintage japanese TT to something like Scheu Analog Cello Classic. It makes sense to have a better phono stage that matches TT.

 

[sachu888]

Thanks. I use a CNC, I think it is good start.

I've heard some good things about Lyrita's tube version. I hope to do a complete upgrade from a vintage japanese TT to something like Scheu Analog Cello Classic. It makes sense to have a better phono stage that matches TT.

It would be better to upgrade your MM cart to budget LOMC like DL 103 along with TT. There are some very good options available for Diy or commercial for MC phono stages.
BTW which cart do you use and what opamps in CNC. One of our FM had Lyrita but he sold as he prefers CNC very much. Sometimes its system dependent.
I don't mean to disrespect for any product. Lyrita amps are very good. Its just a personal preferences.

Regards
Sachin

 

[kratu]

It would be better to upgrade your MM cart to budget LOMC like DL 103 along with TT. There are some very good options available for Diy or commercial for MC phono stages.
BTW which cart do you use and what opamps in CNC. One of our FM had Lyrita but he sold as he prefers CNC very much. Sometimes its system dependent.
I don't mean to disrespect for any product. Lyrita amps are very good. Its just a personal preferences.

Regards
Sachin

I use a Pioneer P10 cartridge. I'm starting out, so far so good. I might upgrade to a Shure Mx97e cartridge later on. I don't know about he opamps in CMC, as I've just purchased from an FM, rather than assembling it myself. He said the components are purchased from outside India.

I'm not sure how well Lyrita Phone stage fares with CNC, as I've not compared them. However, the seller chose to keep his Lyrita Phono stage. He said he liked CNC's "black background" but eventually likes Lyrita's smooth sound signature. He said it like pouring a "bottle of honey" into the sound. Individual's subjective tastes vary.

 

[navinsinha]

I'd agree. Been using the iPhono for the past year and a half, and it has redefined vinyl reproduction for me. Every LP in my collection calls for a re-listen now. Phono stages are as important as cartridges in the vinyl cycle, and the improvements can sometimes be staggering.

Hi Bro,
Where can I buy IPhono preamp in India?

 

[G401fan]

Try here:

Sales | iFi Audio

Regards,

 

[reubensm]

He said he liked CNC's "black background" but eventually likes Lyrita's smooth sound signature. He said it like pouring a "bottle of honey" into the sound. Individual's subjective tastes vary.

A lot also has to go with the genre of music listened to. Imagine listening to Seek and Destroy by Metallica, sounding like pouring honey from a "bottle of honey" or the OST of the movie Blue Lagoon with special sound effects, with a "black background"

 

[navinsinha]

A bit off the topic but not very different - I have recently bought a Denon DL 103 MC cart which I propose to use on AR XA TT. I have 3 questions:
1. Would this cart work with the NAD PP3i?
2. If not, Is there any DIY preamp available for such low output carts?
3. If both the above would not work, what are the alternatives?
Need knowledgeable FMs views.

 

[jls001]

PP 3i gain of 58 dB is about 3 dB less than ideal for the DL 103, but that can be compensated by pumping up the volume of the line level preamp.

For DIY it would be hard to beat the Hypnotoad LOMC phono preamp that uses the AD 797 opamp. And I'm not saying, "for the price....."

 

[vemaj11654]

Great post!! Thanks for sharing this with us. Keep up!

 

[plasmoid]

I have heard NAD PP1, Cambridge Audio 640, Rod Elliott - ESP (with LM4562 Op amps) DIY Phono stage and inbuilt phono stage of my Marantz KI Pearl Lite amp. For me the Marantz inbuilt phono stage is much better than the others which I specified here. The interesting part is Rod Elliott - ESP DIY phono stage is better than NAD PP1 for my ears.

Same here. My Marantz PM8006 phono stage sounds better than all the ones I've used (PP3, Cambridge Audio 640, Schiit Mani).

 

[General_sound]

Good afternoon all. Above reminds me of my journey through Phono preamps, albiet all low cost! In late seventies acquired my first preamp, a ₹250/- Philips made unit which had three settings i.e., mag, GP 390(for my GA 242 tt) and flat. Though long gone, this was a very nice unit with a rich warm sound. Subsequently I had a Project mm/mc, Pyle 444(v low cost, but satisfactory), and a CA 540P. The CA 540 p is still doing service. My contention is that all phono preamps have a distinct sound dependant on many factors, so it is best to do careful audition before purchase.