2. amps-preamps
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Phono Preamp upgrade

New to vinyl playback but have some equipment that I'm really enjoying and others I'd like to consider upgrading.

My current set up is:

Audio Research VSi55 tube amplifier

Kef LS 50's

Pro-ject Debut Carbon w/ Ortofon Red & upgraded acrylic platter.

Schitt Mani phono preamp.

 

I'm happy with my amplifier and speakers but am curious about trying out different cartridge's, including MC. I would like to upgrade the TT, but am thinking of starting with the phono preamp. I'm looking at the following:

QHW 'The Vinyl'

Dynavector P75

Sutherland KC Vibe

All can be had for under $1k which I'm comfortable with paying and I've found retailers for all that allow returns so it's possible to order all 3 and have them at the same time to hear them in my system.

They all have multiple settings for MM & MC cartridges, so should be able to handle different cartridges down the road when I upgrade my TT.

I've read positive reviews about all. Do 1 or 2 stand out considerably above another? Or is just getting all of them and picking my favorite the best option? Any other that I should consider?

 

Thanks for your responses and advice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

boywondr84
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 

@reubent 

However, I feel you are ultimately going to be limited by your TT

I would agree with that. I purchased a Carbon Debut to see if getting back into vinyl would stick the second time around (after a very long absence). It stuck. Think I had it less than a year before I dove in deeper than I thought I might. It was well worth it. Actually the Mani was the last thing I replaced. I had my SOTA Sapphire/Jelco 850/Soundsmith Zephyr running with the Mani before I ultimately replaced it. That combo was heads and tails above the Pro-Ject in every way, and I was quite pleased with it even with the Mani. The Hagerman was icing on the cake.

It’s a good point @reubent makes. You may want to rethink your table/arm/cartridge first. But, I would be prepared to spend a lot more than a thousand bucks. 

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,766 posts
 

Agree with the above. Upgrade turntable first. 

ghdprentice
6,957 posts
 

@millercarbon +1 nailed it on the head. Phonostages are really important don’t skimp… get a destination phonostage or your not going to know what’s happening when you upgrade tt and cartridges.

Post removed 
boywondr84 OP
4 posts
 

I appreciate the feedback and recommendations from everyone. My follow up questions are then:

What TT & cartridge and phono preamp's would you recommend to add to the VSi55 amplifier and KEF LS50's? Does a Gyro SE or Technics 1200G paired with a Sutherland 20/20 (I'm just throwing out items I've drooled over while reading about them but am unlikely to ever own) still make sense with that speaker / amp combo?

Or is a Rega P3 or P6, or maybe a Clearaudio Concept better suited for my Kef / Audio Research system?

I just don't want to get into chasing after gear, and I really like my speaker / amp as it is (and have had for about 4 years now) and am considering upgrading the TT & phono preamp to their level.

Thanks in advance!

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