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Help me decide on phono preamp

I have enjoyed my current setup but have decided to try a seperate phono preamp to see what improvements in sq can be had. I have two options I can purchase locally in mind based on my current budget :

Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena ($400 used)

Lehmann Black Cube SE ll ($600 used)

My current setup is a Music Hall MMF 9.1 TT with a Clearaudio Maestro V2 cartridge playing through the built in MM/MC phono preamp in my Marantz PM - 11S3 integrated amp. 

Any opinions on either of these options?  The built in preamp has excellent reviews. Will either of these alternatives make a material difference or do I need to significantly increase my budget to have a real inpact?

Thanks
sjtm
agrippa
160 posts
 
I don't know the Marantz, but according to reviews such as the one in TAS it has an uncommonly good phono stage for an integrated amp.  Taking that as fact, I would suggest you hold on to the money you've now got and save up some more.
While I've no doubt that either phono stage will better the built-in one, I very much doubt that either will make sit back and think "WOW".
spatialking's avatar
spatialking
615 posts
 
I believe Agrippa is right.  Save up to make a really good preamp purchase.  The smaller the signal, the more impact good quality electronics will have.  The signal doesn't get much smaller than phono!
big_greg
6,711 posts
 
According to reviews the phono stage in the Marantz is very nice. It's hard to to say whether you could improve on it at your budget. What you will probably get with a separate phono stage is more options for loading and gain settings.

The Nova phonomena is a very good phono stage. I have two of them. They're very quiet and have a lot of different loading options and gain settings.

Having said that, I recently picked up a Parks Puffin and like it more than the Nova phonomena. They're $400 new.  Very quiet, great soundstage, and tons of adjustments are available. I don't think you'd have much trouble getting most of your money back if you don't like it.
sjtm OP
92 posts
 
I think I am hearing what I feared / anticipated.  Not sure where I draw the line in terms of a budget.  I know there are several popular choices at or above $2,500.  I am not ready to make this leap.  Is there anything new or used in the $1,000- $1,500 (max) that would be a contender?
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