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Cartridge & phono preamp for Denon DP-60L

A few years back I purchased a new pre-pro (Denon AVP-8000) for HT and music. I was aware that this unit had no phono stage so I had to pack my DP-60L turntable away until another day. Well that time has come for something new. I thought of setting up my old Denon gear (POA1500 & PRA1000) setup which had a very nice mm/mc phono stage, but I have no extra room to have two systems setup, well I do but try and tell my wife that. My question is I need to purchase a phono preamp and perhaps a new cartridge for my TT and get back into listening to my collection of albums. I have been using a Micro Acoustic mm cartridge, which is still mounted on the Denon and sounded very good, but it is old. I would like to stay under $700.00 for both pieces if possible. Any suggestions of what would work well on the Denon would be greatly appreciated.
skin_54
upstateaudio's avatar
upstateaudio
249 posts
 
Try the trusty Shure V15, you can get it for 199.00 on the web ( Jack's Music Factoty ).For phono preamp, how about Channel Islands phono preamp with power amp for ~460.
johnnantais
621 posts
 
Oops, I mean this leaves you with $500, if you want to spend that much. I believe the spercharged Gram Amp 2 sells fr something like $350. So change left over if you go Shure. The Shure is one of my personal favorites: extreme tonal neutrality, great bass and Prat, relatively insensitive to tonearms, tracks anything.
upstateaudio's avatar
upstateaudio
249 posts
 
I meant power supply for Channel Islands Preamp.
skin_54 OP
7 posts
 
Thanks to all of you. I've read nothing but good reviews on the Shure and I am seriously considering this and the Denon DL-103 is a nice choice also. On the issue of phono preamp, there are so many out there that I was wondering, anybody have comments on the Creek OBH-SE8,Lehman Black Cube or a Grado? If so,I would consider a good used one if price was a issue. I have not heard the Rotel or Channel Island. I have seen some really good deals here on Audiogon and one is the Grado Platinum along with the Creek OBH-9SE w/upgraded power supply. Comments?
johnnantais
621 posts
 
Problem with the Grado Platinum, which I own and love, is hum issues with a direct-drive turntable. In this regard, the Shure is a safer bet. Someone else with experience of direct-drive and Grado could tell you more. But lovely as the Grado is, the Shure is better in some ways, especially bass reach and power, and tracking, and tonal accuracy. In other areas, however, like capturing the resonance of instruments and the decay of notes, the Grado does tube-like things which it takes a tube system to hear. Good luck!
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