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Do they make a quiet great sounding phono pre amp??

Hi, I have purchased and listened to 3 phono preamps which are: A musical surroundings phonomena, musical surroundings Nova II, and a Manley labs Chinook. The Manely labs Chinook is by far bettter sounding then the first two (double the cost too). But, All three have given me nothing but trouble (noise,noise,noise even terrible clipped signals!), and 2 of them basically failed on me. So before I go DIGITAL, can someone please tell me who makes a phono preamp in the $2,000-$3,000 range (tube or solid state) that I can rely on, and sounds as good or better than the Chinook?? Thanks.


Matt M                                             
128x128mattmiller
tablejockey
3,925 posts
 
"noise,noise,noise even terrible clipped signals!"

Undortunate you're having such a bad experience with the Chinook. You must listen at very LOUD levels. When I demoed a Chinook, I didn't hear tube hiss until 1:00 o'clock.  That's an unrealistic, everyday level(IMO) so not an issue. 

I would contact the dealer. Perhaps he can swap it for another unit?

The all tubed Decware looks promising, but you still need a step up for LOMC. http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm
fossda
112 posts
 
Sorry, not in your price range but I purchased a second hand Allnic H-3000 - 8 tubes plus 1 large power rectifier tube-absolutely quiet, no noise, hum etc and it sounds great. Allnic makes a lower price tube phono that you might find used. Best wishes.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I also use the Herron VTPH-2 and I am very pleased with it; very quiet and resolute.

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,405 posts
 
Again, the Herron. It replaced a very quiet solid state unit (Whest PS30RDT) which is well regarded sonically. The Herron is as quiet and sonically far superior.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Based on the responses thus far it is clear that the Herron VTPH-2 and Allnic 1201 would be a very compelling/competitive comparison.
Charles,
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