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Phono preamp worth it with MM cartridges?

I've had conflicting advice from dealers so hoping for some clarity here. How much do phono preamps offer with sound quality and MM cartridges? (I understand they have a huge impact on sound quality with MC). 

My current setup is Rega P3/Neo/Exact/Groovetracer RS, Rega Elex-R amp, and Spendor A4 speakers and I mostly listen to classical, jazz, and light rock.

Will buying a Rega Aria phone preamp (or  iFi iPhono 3? Avid? Graham Slee? in the sub $2k range) make a worthwhile difference or should I wait till I buy an MC cartridge before splurging ? 

Thanks, Roger
wqgq_641
williewonka
3,072 posts
 
A good phono stage is always a good idea for MM or MC

In the sub $2k range I would take look at Simaudio Moon 110LP or 310LP.

I have the LP 5.3 RS (basically the same as the 310) and I’m pretty sure it’s my last phono stage.

They are extremely quiet, great dynamics/sound and can configure to almost any cartridge - MC or MM

You can add a separate power supply to the 310, but with good cables - either would both sound amazing.

Regards - Steve
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,267 posts
 
Roger, Listen to the one you have. If it sounds OK to you then don't spend any money. Once you need more gain then you will be forced into buying a new Phone amp. Spend the money on getting a better cartridge.
There are some fine MM cartridges available. 
What we think sounds good is not the point. It is what you think. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
There are some killer MM cartridges, but not your Rega, you'd better change a cartridge first.

Some MM or MI phono cartridges are more expensive than MC.

A phono stage is important for all types of cartridges.
There are many inexpensive MM/MC phono stages on the market, the one I really like is JLTi mk4 (now mk5 available from the manufacturer).

Different loading for MM is also a very nice option, so the loading is NOT only for MC.
Loading for MM must be from 30 to 100k Ohm. A phono stage with RCA-Plug resistors for MM is nice to have, but internal resitors in the phono stage must be very high in this situation (500k Ohm) to load it down with parallel RCA-Plug resistors .


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