What are best phono preamps under $500 ?

Paul: I pretty much have to agree with you on this one. While most of the sales people at MD are nice folks and try hard, they are just that: SALES people. Some of them have very valid opinions on some of the products that they carry but i really do have to question the levels of experience that they have with various components. As most of you know, up until recently they were basically a good source for good to decent quality recordings, various tweaks, power cords, headphones and some phono goodies. Their venture into selling quantities of actual components is something new and obviously, they'll need a little time and experience to do the type of job that most of us are looking for. In the meantime, enjoy their nice new catalogue and take their advice with a grain of salt. That is, unless you want to be one of those that gets ridiculed in the future for the products that you've bought from them in the past. Sean
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PS... Figure this part out. They are taking trade-in's on a product that they completely blasted in their most recent catalogue. Who in their right mind is going to buy such a product from them when they do have used models to sell ??? You would either have to be pretty daring or be quite familiar with the product to do so...

The Grado PH-1 can be had for less than $500. and
is worth a listen.

Nope. Music Direct sells it. I'm afraid to buy anything they sell.

Back on topic, if I were in the market (and I might be), I think I would buy the Monolithic preamp. It was reviewed head to head in TAS a couple of years ago and the writer liked it better.

Sean, I suppose they will sell the units they take in to a liquidator, so you might watch for someone with a supply of used Lehmans. Or maybe they have a guy in their store who specializes in being the house maverick and will tell prospective used buyers that the Lehmans are really great. Everyone is a role player.

Musical Surroundings MM/MC Phonomena Phono Preamplifier

I was looking into this a few months back and was wondering if anyone had any experience with this unit which was reviewed in Stereotimes back in 1\01.

I have a Passive Pre-Amp and I want to be sure I have enough gain for the Phonostage if that matters.

There was one listed at Agon a few months back and was gone in a day.Has alot of versitility for you to tweek in order to get the best performance from your cartridge.

Anyone have any thoughts on it or think of a better suited unit please advise.

TIA,ABEX

The Phonomena will do what you want. It is electrically quiet, no rushing noises, LP surface noise is minimal, very minimal intrusion from pops etc. The variable gain settings work perfect. I use the Ortofon TM20 cartidge and have the gain set at 46 db which offers plenty of punch and dynamics. I did a direct comparison to a Monolithic in a different system and the Phonomena was the clear cut winner. I have mine plugged into The PS Audio P300 and see no need to use the battery power supply. I listen to 60-80's Rock and Jazz on LP and find the dynamics and soundstage to be complimentary.