2. analog
  3. 164429-148023

Phono amplification bang for the buck

I tried asking a similar question over in amps/preamps but I didn’t get anything useful over there. I’m hoping I can here.

I have a Michel Gyrodec II with SME 309 arm, and several different low output MC cartridges(.2-.4 mv output).

My budget is around $4000 give or take. I need mc/mm phono amplification and line level preamplification. I am looking at new or demo. I would consider used only if it has a significant transferable manufacturer’s warranty.

My question is, given my needs, would I get better bang for the buck at this price level by getting a preamp with an integrated phono stage, or going with a line level preamp and a separate phono stage?


Thanks.
xaak
elliottbnewcombjr
5,353 posts
 
My first mc cartridge, I started a discussion here about "which sut"?

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-sut-for-3mv-10-ohms-mc-cartridge-into-3mv-mm-input-sens...

many helpful responses there

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
If you want a tube preamp with a phono stage the best bang-for-the-buck is an ARC SP6! I have one - paid less than $1K for it! Add a good SUT like a Bellari ($350 - I have one) and you'll have LP playback competitive with upper four-figure gear!
elliottbnewcombjr
5,353 posts
 
this helped me when asking avout MC and SUT's

http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/mc_step-up_transformers_explai.html

elliottbnewcombjr
5,353 posts
 
I liked the wood case of this one with 2 mc settings and PASS for MM

https://absolutehiend.com/index.php/product/phono-mc-step-up/miyajima-lab-etr-800p-mc-step-up-transf...
xaak OP
43 posts
 
Ok, pushing equipment at this point is premature.  It doesn't really answer my question.

elliotnewcombjr, I've been at this since the 70's.  I have a few SUTs, and SUT's are not without their own issues, no matter how good they are.  You still get distortion, though different from active stages.  I see SUTs as a situation dependent option, but I am looking for an active phono stage that can handle low output MCs and MMs.

I am not looking for ancient vintage stuff (I owned enough of that back in the day), I'm looking for new/demo/still under warranty stuff.

More to discover