Phono preamp suggestions


Does anyone have any experience with any of the following phono preamps:

CEC PH53
Creek OBH-15
Musical Fidelity X-LP
Primare R-20
Pro-ject Tube Box SE II

I'm looking to buy a phono preamp second hand for use with a Pro-ject 6Perspex. The models I listed are all available used where I am (Japan).

For the cartridge I was thinking of either audio technica AT33EV or Ortofon Rondo Red, or an MM cartridge in a similar price range (Ortofon 2M black or bronze?). Frankly, I have no idea what kind of difference to expect between MC and MM, except perhaps that not all the preamps I listed will work as well with MC. (I am not interested in getting a separate step-up transformer.)
ahochan

Showing 1 response by tobias

I have not heard any of the phono stages you list, so perhaps you should take my advice with a couple of grains of salt. I still have one to recommend if you can find it: the Moon LP3. It is a wildly musical device and its 100 ohm MC load setting ought to fit the AT33 very well. Yes, depending of course on the arm you own, I would go for the AT33. I own an AT33PTG myself and am really very happy with it.

MC carts used not to give you tracking as good as the best MMs, but that's pretty much a thing of the past now. MC cantilevers are often stiffer than MMs but the AT33 is an exception and you can use it in a less massive arm. MCs often have line contact stylii where MMs may not, and that's a dealmaker for me--I want the line contact stylus even before I choose MC or MM. Lastly, as far as music is concerned, expect an MC with a line contact stylus to give you refinement in the highs. If you are at all sensitive to HF distortion, plan to get an MC.