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Preamp questions for new vinyl fan

Hello all,
I'm purchasing a Parasound Halo A23 amp to drive Gallo Stradas. I have a chance to get a Consonance Cyber 222 tube preamp for a very nice price. But it doesn't have phono inputs and I'm really starting to enjoy vinyl. I could go ahead anyway and get a separate phono stage, or do something altogether different.
I would love to run fully balanced and have tube rectification, as I love the tube sound and staging, but it needs phono stage too. It would sweeten the SS amp and help with my digital setup
Any suggestions. I'm trying to stay around $500 or less.

Thanks!
Lincoln
lincnabby
truman
167 posts
 
I think the idea of injecting some tubes into the mix with the Consonance (especially at a great price...?) is worth a shot. Stick with a decent SS phono for now given your budget restraints. Recently saw a $450 PS Audio GCPH
Phono on audiogon, great deal! Or, have heard very good things about the Ifi Phono for even less (long break-in I've also heard).
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
As ZD so wisely counseled, you are asking far too much of a $500 preamp. I would recommend you find a good used preamp containing a good phono stage for that price - Agon has a ton of them for sale. But it probably will not be balanced. However, balanced is not really important in your setup, single ended is way more than good enough...

-RW-
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
A fully balanced preamp with phono stage for $500??? Wow, good luck finding that!

You may have a chance if you go a bit higher and look at integrated amps.
truman
167 posts
 
Shoot, there's a Quicksilver Full Function Tube preamp with tube rectification
plus a darn good tube MM phono for $450 on auction right now! Not balanced, but....(Disclosure, I once had 4 of these! Still have two. Love 'em.)
lincnabby OP
56 posts
 
Thanks for input, fellas.
So for $500, which preamp would offer a decent phono stage here on Agon?
Or should I just get a decent phono stage separate and run it with the Consonance Cyber 222?

Any further advice is much appreciated?
Lincoln
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