Phono Preamp upgrade

Digital does not get old fast. It gets better fast.

Try a Parks Puffin. It will match all carts you through at it.

I'm not going to make any specific phono recommendations.  I'll pile on and encourage you to consider a better turntable/cartridge. 

Your components need to be of similar quality.  Adding a better phono stage would no doubt help with sound quality, but you'll be leaving a lot on the table so to speak by feeding it a not so great signal from an entry level turntable.

Return Options for Phono is Imperative IMO.

Based on my experiences (below), I endorse your current plan, order all 3, listen via existing TT/cartridge, keep one.

Later, a different Cartridge.

Later, a different TT.

Later yet????

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My basic TT, AT120, with MM Cartridge, (great starter TT IMO) I could easily hear the difference between the McIntosh SS C28 Preamp’s MM Phono and the AT120’s built-in optional phono eq. Surprisingly, I preferred the dinky built-in one. Meaning: you can hear the differences thru your existing amp/speakers.

Changed preamp to McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp, mx110z, now much prefer the sound of the preamp’s MM Phono. I changed TT and advanced to 3 tonearms (MC Stereo; MM Stereo; Mono arms ready to go) via a SUT to keep using the mx110z’s MM Phono.

Upstairs, office system, tried Pyle $15. MM phono temporarily, just to get listening. Bought Cambridge Duo, preferred the Pyle, returned the Cambridge. Tried another moderately priced highly recommended one, didn’t like it, returned it, kept the Pyle. Got Luxman Integrated with built-in MM and MC, prefer it to the Pyle.

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Note: for a MC cartridge, I got my first MC last year after advice here.

I recommend first getting a MM phono you like, and using a SUT to simply boost the signal strength to keep using the MM phono you already like. Make sure it has PASS so you can run a MM or MC thru it (i.e. one tonearm/change headshells, MM Stereo; MC Stereo; Mono.

A SUT with optional loading/x-factors gives you more flexibility in the future. a SUT with multiple inputs gives even more flexibility if you think you will ever have more than 1 tonearm.

Your amp and speakers are going to reveal the different ’color’ of the phono preamps IF they vary (probable). Later, a different cartridge will be revealed thru your preferred color.

Let us know what you hear,

Elliott

I was really impressed with Hagerman value after I bought a Piccolo head amp from them to replace a step-up transformer that was introducing some noise. Dead quiet and no change in sound (the phono stage I use was a $5000 unit when new).

For a phono stage I would recommend a used Audio Research PH… as high a number as you can afford. I have owned PH 2, 2se, 3se, 5 (?), 8, and now a Reference 3. There is a substantial market and you will be getting a real audiophile piece of gear… well, you know, It’s audio research.

Rega are very popular and well respected. I had one many years ago and a friend has one, never did much for me. Didn’t have much bass, didn’t seem to be very quiet… but they get great reviews, so beats me. I would consider Clear Audio or a used VPI… put a couple grand into a VPI (non-suspended) and you are going to have an amazing table (tremendous bass, quiet, flexible arm.).

Cartridge choice is going to depend on the table and the kind of sound you want.