cheapo phono preamp, $20. ridiculously good until you find something better.


short story, this $20. Pyle is ridiculously good until you find something better.

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B07R2MR59D/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?....

long story (many of you have made a difference in all of the following, thanks again)

How have I decided it is ridiculously good? It took a while, nearly a year: many re-arrangements, temporary uses here and there to realize it.

I got a Mitsubishi Vertical TT going for my office (1st time TT up here). Needed phono eq. just to hear it.

Not the main system, but I wanted something decent. I bought a Cambridge Duo (MM/MC)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07932QK4N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Didn’t like it at all, so I bought this cheapo $20. Pyle to simply use until I bought something else.

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B07R2MR59D/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?...

Compared to Cambridge, I actually liked the Pyle, sent the Cambridge back. Using the (how worn?) Stanton cartridge that the TT came with.

Next: Re-discovered my near virgin AT440ml with OEM Stylus. Wow, it’s performance was definitely revealed thru the Pyle. Near virgin because I didn’t use the AT in main system because I preferred Shure’s brush cartridges (V15VxMR; M97xe). (my hvac system pushes lots of dust, and warps, ... and both those cartridges are winners in their own categories.

OK, now, let’s get a better Phono Stage in the office. Loving the mx110z Tube phono downstairs, let’s get a Tube Preamp with Phono for the office. Use the Pyle in the Garage system when I rework it.

Russian Tube Preamp turned out to be a disaster.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/russian-tube-preamp-no-return-here-i-go-again

Vintage Luxman’s looked awesome, they are shallow enough to fit on the top of a bookcase.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/luxman-lx33-integrated-tube-amp-yeah-nay

OMG, prices, UP UP & AWAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfxqQmWtGNM

Ended up with a New Luxman with both MM and MC for the office, now all tube, sounds terrific, office done!

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=33

Going to visit my photography friend in Vestal, NY. Hmmm, Audio Classics is in Vestal.

https://www.audioclassics.com/

Yanked the mx110z tube tuner/preamp out of the main system, dropped it off for it’s first look-see since the 1960’s. Among other things it will get all new gold plated in/out rca jacks. yeah!

Well, that left me with a 3 arm TT dead in the dust (MC; MM Stereo; MM Mono). The biggest upgrade to my system ever! Fidelity Research 3 input SUT has MC and MM Pass.

https://reverb.com/item/34379811-fidelity-research-fr-frt-4-toroidal-transformer-in-excellent-condit...

Luxman arrived, put in the office, that left the Pyle loose.

Unbelievable, this dinky Pyle, after the SUT, gives me back all 3 of my Arms until the mx110z gets home.

Just had to tell you, this cheapo Pyle sounds doggone good. Who knew?

I restored a compact Technics SL-J33,

https://www.hifinews.com/content/technics-sl-j33-turntable

It has a good dust cover so I can use it in the Garage/Shop. The Tandberg down there recently died, and the Carver from the office was just set free, so I re-arranged that system yesterday.The little Pyle went back to work. Garage/Shop system Finished!

That’s where I am sorting all the LP’s I inherited, what a treat to have a TT down there!

All that since I joined Audiogon, it's been very beneficial for sure.

Just prior, I sold my McIntosh SS set, MC2250 amp and C28 Preamp, that's when I got the mx110z and my Cayin A88T Tube amp.

btw, I did not like the Phono of that C28 SS Preamp. I was using an AT120, with an even more dinky built-in optional phono eq. IT sounded better than the C28. Like the Pyle, equally surprisingly good. I just gave that TT to my Photo friend in Vestal, with the Shure M97xe.

Being in NJ, close to NYC, truly frightening, staying home during Covid certainly was a part of this. Bad but good ..




elliottbnewcombjr
$20 phonostage will sound like a $20 phonostage no matter how you slice it.  
fuzztone,

I’m 72, I and many of my friends have been vaccinated, the spring weather and world opening up, the timing of finishing all 3 systems is a happy coincidence. Still being cautious, but getting out some, to dinner last night, such a normal feeling.

Now I can set up tables in the driveway and sort the inherited LP’s.

Oh dear, not quite finished, I need to hook up the 8 Track player in the garage system. Most 8 Track's foam pressure pads rotted, thus unplayable, a few still work. They never sounded good, but their transportability was a REVOLUTION!
Until they ate themselves up.

rdk777, try not to be such an  elitist. Many of us can not afford a $10K phono stage. The point is some of the inexpensive ones are surprisingly good.