2. amps-preamps
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What are best phono preamps under $500 ?

I am looking for a phono stage MM preamp <$500 that does not give any hum, hiss, noise , etc .... and has "decent" sound to use with my Legend LM-9 mono tube amps. Can anyone recommend one (SS or tube) that meet the above's ? What do you think about the YS-Audio Tube Phono preamp that 's been sold on Ebay and Audiogon? A brand new only costs less than $500 !
dongnhac
dannylw's avatar
dannylw
172 posts
 
New I don't know. I have tried the Camelot an the Musical Fidelity both the XLP and the XLP2. The XLP 2 is claerly the better of the two. The Camelot was also very nice even though I thought it could be more dynamic but it was very refined.

I also saw Music Direct's statement which i find a slap in the face of the people they told to buy the lehman.
abex
322 posts
 
Rhljazz,now all I have to do is find a used one for a good price which is kinda of hard.
I thought after reading the review on it that it was what I was looking for.I will be updating my Phono section next year some time.
Thanks
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
I think the db systems phono preamps are very overlooked...they are extremely transparent...with very good imaging and depth...for under $200 new...at audioadvisor.com...they are hard to beat...If i dont go with a new Rega intergrated...I will add one of these...
c123666
871 posts
 
I listened to an Antique Sound Labs phono preamp that retails for 249 and has an external power supply. Nice sounding little tube unit; for the money it is a relative bargain. Also, it has its own volume control so a linestage preamp is not required if you do not have a volume control on your amplifier.
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