2. analog
  3. 1016843413

Preamp-phonostage selection for analog lover

This is my first thread here. Maybe it should go on the amp/preamp board but I am hoping that analog lovers, like me, will have a specialized knowledge base and be gracious enough to provide me with some help.

I really, really like the sound of vinyl. Several months ago, I bought a VPI 16.5 and since then have cleaned about 1,500 of my older LP's. I have a very nice McCormack SS amp, a Clearaudio Champion TT with an average AT cartridge (that I will be replacing), and a pair of Aerial 8 floorstanders. I have been using a borrowed Lehmann Black Cube from a friend. The Cube is okay, but I want to buy my own different from the Cube. Now I want to buy a USED TUBE preamp and a phono stage or a combination pre/phono (I know most people like the separates but I would like to go combo if at all practical). I will, of course, be using the TT and also an older Sony analog tuner. I will be using a run-of-the-mill CD player from time to time, but a high quality digital front end is NOT important to me, nor is it in my future.

Can those of you with more recent experience than I in analog give me some recommendations that would match with this amp, TT, speaker combo. I am also open to cartridge choices. I would like to stay with a good MM for now but would like to have a phono stage with the flexibilty to use an MC in the future. Oh, yes, and I'd like to spend between 1200-1800US on USED component(s)(I prefer someone else to take the knock down, I refuse to buy new in this area)! Please try to suggest units that fall within my price range USED not new, Bang for my buck, you know... Maybe 500-750US on a NEW cartridge - this lot I refuse to buy used! HA)

Thank you
Barbara
lpspinner
sean
6,231 posts
 
Barbara, good to see a woman joining our ranks, especially one that loves vinyl. I expect that you'll start seeing some marriage proposals via email sometime soon : )

I would think that an ARC preamp would work well in your system. As to a specific model, i'll have to bow to the Audio Research / Tube experts on this one. I'm sure that someone else that is more familiar with their product line could single one out that would be a good match for your specific amp / speaker combo.

As to cartridges, what aspects of the Audio Technica would you be looking to improve upon ? So that I and others know where you are coming from, how would you describe the sonic characteristics of the AT and what do you find "wrong" with it ? Sean
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jimbo3
304 posts
 
The Audible Illusions M3A might be your cup of tea- Choose the standard phono section for medium and high output cartridges, the "Gold" phono section for low output cartridges.

Regards
Jim
monk
120 posts
 
I would recommend a Audible Illusions Modulas 3a preamp. Killer phono, with MM and mid/hi output MC, great line stage, definitely in your price range, and very well built. Check out Galen Carol (gcaudio.com) for a used, mint condition trade-in AI M3A. Great synergy with your McCormack amp. Musical as all getout, huge focused soundstage, boogie and PRaT, Tubes.......mate with a Arum Beta S, or a Grado Sonata,.... Now if we could get you some Tg Audio cabling........
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Hi, Barbara. I join Sean in welcoming you. I'm not going to add much to this conversation, except to pose a question, and make one comment. You state that you have been listening to the Lehmann Audio Black Cube -- is it the version with the original power supply, or the newer, much larger power supply called the PWX?

If you have not heard the Black Cube with the larger PWX power supply, you should audition it. I own a Black Cube that has been upgraded to the new power supply, and I must tell you that it this "SE" version is a really significant improvement over the "standard issue" Black Cube. My wife, who is not particularly attentive to my system changes, commented on how much better the upgraded version of the Black Cube was over the original. The Black Cube has two gain stages, one intended for MM (40 db gain), the other for MC cartridges (60 db gain).
sean
6,231 posts
 
Scott, you added quite a bit to this thread as i was unaware that the Lehmann had two different gains that are switch selectable. Good to know for others that ask about such things.

As to the other comments, I had forgot all about the AI Mod 3A. Good suggestion and a worthy contender. Sean
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