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Recommendations for a phono amp

Hello all: I've been getting some advice from the Amps-Peamps board the on rounding out a system using some old and new components. Here's what we have so far: Adcom GFA 5500 amp, Audio Research LS2 preamp, Klipsch RP-160M reference premiere bookshelf speakers (new), an old Yamaha turntable, plus a tuner and CD player that we're not certain we'll use. The turntable/cartridge combo is from an old kit and is nothing special -- Yamaha Stereo Turntable TT-300U3, cardridge -- Audio Tecnica VS245LP
I'd love recommendations on a phono amp to get the turntable up and running on this system. Budget is modest.  
newkphoto
14 responses Add your response
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
How tight is the budget?
I had surprisingly good results from a Cambridge Audio Azur 551p stage,find on eBay lightly used about $75.
It worked well enough for me, has no options. Is MM only and no adjustment for cartridge loading or gain but I don’t think you really need that right now.
From the specs I could find it does not seem like a fussy cart, 47k , 5mv, vtf 1 to 1.5. I honestly do not think you need spend a fortune to get good results. But I am sure you will get a lot of opinions.....
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
You might want to consider Ron Sutherland's latest offering, the $895 KC Vibe with  48 volt outboard power supply.  It has loading and gain adjustments.  It may, however, not be a good choice for very low output moving coils.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
I can highly recommend the latest Audio Alchemy phono amp. Sounds really good with the optional power supply. Plenty of gain with variable adjustment for load. 
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,498 posts
 
Uhhhh for that table I would recommend a Pro-Ject Phono box. Great little unit.

Matt M
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
+1 on the Project
wolf_garcia
6,734 posts
 
I use a Cambridge 640P with Pangea P100 power supply (those were offered by Audio Advisor as a Peter Madnick designed thing just for the DacMagic and the 640P), and it's a giant killer with in this combination. I haven't tried it with a MC cartridge, but with the Sumiko Pearl MM I use (Liked that cart so much I replaced the stylus) the rig sounds sublime…very accurate EQ, subsonic filter, embarrassingly low cost all around. Linn Basik/Akito rig with Mogami tone arm wire that obliterated any hum.
chrisoshea
400 posts
 

Another vote for the Schitt Mani 2….At the under $500 level the Lounge Audio LCR MkIII is a slam dunk winner….

theflattire
218 posts
 

Darlington Labs FTW.

boozendormi
20 posts
 

For the same price as the Pro-ject Phono Box, the Fosi Audio Box X5 gives similar results. But you can adjust the gain!

degx1000
15 posts
 

I love my SOTA Pyxi. It’s punchy and dynamic. It’s also clear without being cold or harsh. It can handle mm or lomc with no problem (65 db gain on the mc setting.) I run it to a Vacuum Tube Audio line stage. The riaa compensation is extremely accurate. Plus it’s only 300$. Or if you don’t like it, you haven’t broken the bank. For a tight budget pair it with a Denon 103 for less than 300$ and you have a very nice front end.

kennyc
1,644 posts
 

Hagerman Bugle

grislybutter
3,438 posts
 

Moon 110 lp v2

sdberman's avatar
sdberman
20 posts
 

For less than $200, the Schiit Mani 2 is really nice.  I just upgraded to the Darlington Labs MP7B and love it.  If you’re interested in a 4 month old Mani 2 at a nice price, send me a message. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jeffbij
64 posts
 

+3 on the Schiit Mani.  Good little phono pre that is low cost.

Same for the Pro-Ject Phono Box. I ran one on a second system for a few years and it was solid.

And to add one more to the list, the Parasound Zphono which to me, is a step up from the Schiit and Pro-ject.  There a few different versions and you can pick them up cheap on eBay.

 

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