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Phono stage and preamplifier opinions....

I am looking for some advice on phono sections. I currently have a Forte Model 40 preamplifier that does not have the phono stage. I am using my old preamp (Hafler DH-110) as a phono stage for the time being. I don't have much money to invest (around the $100-$200 range) but would like to eliminate the cumbersome problem of having a full preamp acting as a phono stage. My TT is a Music Hall MMF 2 with a benz micro mc20e2.

I know there are many decent phono pre's I can get for that amount, but I am wondering if I would be better off selling the Forte and getting a different pre that has a phono section, or to just go for one of the low-end outboard phono sections (music hall, sumiko, parasound, creek...). Meaning, is the onboard phon section of a preamp that is in the range of my Forte Model 40 going to be a lot better than the low end of outboard phono pres.... I'd love to just magically come across some phono cards for the forte, but that seems unlikely.... Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
128x128pablodeocampo
mikesinger
572 posts
 
you are better off buying a used pre with a built in phono.

the power supply is much beefier on the pre's. if you wish you can pu a line stage later and use the phono via hot rod.

counterpoint ( nice phono but questionable reliability history)

audible IID or III ( $400 or $650-$700)- well rounded

ARC SP-9 MkII ( $650 - $700)- more resolution than the either ai. can sound a little cold depending on the series.

BAT 3ki ( depends on configuration. you can add a phono, some come with remote. also upgradeable. this may be the $$$ of the bunch(depends on options) - however it is the newest, highest resolution and musicality in both line and phono. bat service is immpecible. you have alot of options and a upgrade path if you wish.

hope that helps,

mike
lancaste2d0e
1 posts
 
I recently tried the Trichord Dino, Graham Slee ELevator & McIntosh 2200 phono, Debut SE and the NAD phono stage and the NAD sounded as good as any of them for around $100
pablodeocampo's avatar
pablodeocampo OP
21 posts
 
Thanks for all the input on this. I think the power supply thing is the biggest problem i was seeing with using an outboard unit. I think i might keep my eyes open for something that would compare with the Forte 40, but for the mean time, will be picking up something cheap so that I don't have to deal with having this Hafler lying around. Probably will go for the Hagerman; or my local shop just got a Parasound pph-100 in used which seems nice and cheap, I'll go listen to that this week and see how it works out.
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