Suggestions For Phono Preamp....

Music Hall makes the MMF1 for $79.00 at J&R Music World.
Too cheap? Then how about the Blue Circle BC23. List is $1250, but is available new under $1K.

The EAR 834P - most have a volume control so no preamp needed - sells used for 650-850 - new for 1000 - 1200.

I like the 834p in your price reange but get rid of the stock tubes and use some nice NOS tubes.

I own the Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE (the newer version with the much larger PWX power supply), and can highly recommend it. It costs $875 new, or you can buy a used version of the basic Black Cube for around $400 and have HyendAudio, the U.S. distributor, attach the new power unit for $275.

The Plinius Jarrah is a great preamp. It got a great review in a recent TAS. It also sounds great!

EAR 834P is an excellent choice and comes with a volume control so you need no other preamp. Personally I think the stock tubes (EI Yugos anyway, not sure what comes with them now) sound great, which is not to say that some NOS may not be even better, but they are hardly necessary.

Avideo:

Or, you can try this. How about a Monolithic PS-1??? It's a good and INEXPENSIVE phono preamp. And it seems to be enjoying some good press as well. I have read two glowing reviews about the Monolithic PS-1, and both of the reviewers that I have reviews from seem to endorse the Monolithic PS-1 very highly. The only thing is that I hope that you already have a volume control elsewhere in your system chain, as the PS-1 does NOT have its own volume control. But other than that, it is a very good phono preamp, and at just $399.00, it's not that expensive either. You can get the basic version for just $399.00, and it comes with a "wall wart" type of power supply (which might just enough for your needs). And for just $260.00 more, you can get the PS-1 with the upgraded HC-1 power supply, which still keeps the total to WELL UNDER $1,000.00.

To check it out, go to manufacturers links on the front page of this site, click the letter "M", and then scroll down and click on "Monolithic", and that should take you directly to their website.

Try one and see what you think. I'm getting one myself. But if could only afford to spend more (which I can't right now), then I'll be getting the AcousTech PH-1. But at $1,200.00, it's a little too rich for my blood right now. But now, if I never get an AcousTech PH-1, then I won't lose any sleep over that. The Monolithic PS-1/HC-1 is an excellent choice.

--Charles--

The Opera Consonance line makes a nice little Vacuum Tube phono pre-amp PM-1 that retails at just under $1000.00. Has oak front which is a nice touch. It also has a seperate power supply.
Also Creek has a decent phono preamp OBH-8SE that retails for $325.00. Upgraded power supply included.

Thank you to everyone who posted suggestions for a phono
preamp. Since I am just getting started with records -
I've decided not to "break the bank" just yet. Also, I'm
taking into account that most of the records I will be
transfering to CD are mass market pressings from the 1960s
and 1970s - not audiophile-grade vinyl.
Based on recent reviews, as well as some good feedback
from a friend who plays a lot of vinyl - I've decided to
go with the basic Monolithic PS-1 - with the possibility
of upgrading the power supply at a later date.
Thanks again to everyone - I'm looking forward to
hearing those records very soon!
Dave

I know you alreay made your decision, but you might also look at the Gram Amp 2 SE from Graham Slee. It's only $220 from www.lpgear.com and was recently written about in TAS.