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Help me choosing Phono Preamp

Hi,

I need suggestion in choosing a quality phono stage (SS or tube, new/used) under $3000 to mate with Denon DL-103 cartridge. The cartridge has very low output voltage around 0.18mV. Few pre I considered are Manley Chinook, EAR 834P, Liberty B2B-1, and MF MX-VYNL. All of them seem to require a step up transformer to work with DL-103. I don't like the idea of outboard transformer, and also I want to keep number of boxes as minimum as possible. Is there any outstanding pre out there (full function or stand alone phono stage) with input sensitivity close to 0.15 V to work with DL-103 ? Other qualities of the preamp I am looking for are: utterly transparent, extreme resolution, but not lean/thin/weak in sound, MC and MM both options will be a plus . Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sunny

topmostaudio
dodgealum
1,399 posts
 
Agree--the Herron is awesome. You can configure the gain with different tube combinations. Check with Keith about whether the highest gain configuration will be enough for your cartridge, given your loudspeaker sensitivity and listening preferences.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I would recommend an Avid Pulsus as a fabulous option. Or if you can find one used, look into a Musical Fidelity kW phono stage. No transformers and can handle such low output LOMCs just fine. 
topmostaudio OP
28 posts
 
Roscoeiii,
How much better is the MF kW phono than the MF MX-VYNL ?
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I owned the Manley Chinook and Liberty B2B-1 phono preamps. Still have a EAR 834P MM only and upgraded to Manley Steelhead for MC. For a second system the EAR has turned out to be a keeper. I simply love its warmth and punch. It is one of the best values in tubed phono stages. The Chinook and Liberty were also fine components, but to me, the Steelhead in the main system beat them both for the sonic picture I sought.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
No direct experience re: how the kW compares to the MX-VYNL but based on the MSRP of the VYNL vs the much higher MSRP of the kW of the kW when it came out, I'd guess that the kW bests it. 

The kW replaced the excellent Avid Pulsus in my system, though the improvement from the Pulsus to the kW was not as large as the jump from the Simaudio LP 5.3 with optional outboard power supply to the Pulsus (perhaps the Siumaudio would have performed better if I was going balanced). 

Hope this helps. 
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