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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
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
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
It's going to be tough, if not impossible to find a tube preamp with a phonostage in the $500 ballpark.
The Consonance is a nice unit, but is old enough to possibly need some maintenance. If you know the history of the Consonance or if you can see under the hood, then go for it.

My advice is to get the best line stage tube preamp you can; the phonostages included in preamps are often not as good as a stand-alone phono-pre.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"03-14-15: Lincnabby
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"

In order to recommend a phono stage, you need to list your whole system. Not every phono stage works with every cartridge. Include things like cables and tweaks as well.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Something to consider before you buy a preamp are the specs of the pre in relation to the amp. The output impedance of the preamp must be in a range that matches the input impedance of the amp (Parasound is 33 kohms). This amp will match well with any SS preamp, but many tube pre outputs will be higher than SS.

It's important to check the specs of the preamp. One more thing to remember.
lincnabby OP
56 posts
 
The consonance will match the Parasound halo a23 well, so I'm now looking at affordable phono pre options.
Considering the zphono by parasound or possibly something by Pro-ject.
Any suggestions?
My system is:
Gallo Strada speakers
M&K sub
Parasound Halo A23 amp
Consonance Cyber 222 preamp
Ross Martin DAC & MacBook Pro for digital w/ M2tech SPDIFconverter & coax
Clear Day Audio double shotgun spkr cables & ICs
Garrard Zero 100c table
Audience powerchord
Maple platforms
Hope this helps. I'll most likely upgrade to better TT soon.
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