Phono Pre for Grado Statement Reference 0.5mV

Although mechans offers some nice suggestions, all of them are overkill IMO. Far too much money for a serviceable phono cartridge that can never optimize any of the products mentioned.

I would look for a used Graham Slee Era Gold; they go for $600-$800 and will provide all the performance needed for this cartridge.

Hello Peteraudio7,

I'm using a Grado Statement Master 0.5mv on a Whest Audio PS30RDT and trust me the combo is simply Magical

The Graham Slee Era Gold does not have enough gain for the low output Grado

Thanks for the replies!

I am actually just getting into vinyl. The turntable would be a VPI Scoutmaster. I am looking at pairing the Grado with either the Wright WPP-200C or the Quicksilver phono at the moment. Both are less than a thousand and are a tube based. Both are very well regarded.

I looked into the Graham Slee Era Gold V and the only way for it to work with the Grado is if I purchase the Elevator EXP along with it.

I need to stay under $1000 - which I know narrows it down. But I feel that I can get a very musical phono for this price. The Wright is really calling... heard they can be improved by tube-rolling.

I'm going to take a look at the suggestions made so far...