2. amps-preamps
  3. 187256-171361

Looking for a great phono pre-amp in the $1000 or less range

I’ve a vintage Kenwood KD-500 DD turntable (concrete base), and grace tonearm.  Currently running a grado gold MM cartridge running through the built-in phono preamp section of my NAD C658 preamp, into an Anthem MCA 225 mk 2 amp and Martin Logan Classic 9 electrostatic speakers.  Streaming Tidal can give me some stunning results but my music through the turntable is far less compelling.  Hence the desire to try upgrading my phono preamp section (and eventually move to a MC).  After substantial digging I’ve got a few higher level candidates, there are obviously many out there. 
the two front runners I’m considering are:

the Back Ice Audio F9 mk and the gold note PH5.  The black ice is intriguing but not nearly as well known or reviewed as the gold note. 
others I’ve considered:

sutherland KC Vibe mk2

moon audio 110 LP V2

parasound zphono XRM

feedback from the community appreciated!

128x128tmortsd
kennyc
1,543 posts
 

A list I compiled from positive reviews:

Make    Model     Price 
Schiit    Mani     $129 
Parasound    zphono     $150 
Rega    Fono Mini A2D     $175 
Hagerman Audio Labs    Bugle2 - Phono Preamp     $189 
Music Fidelity    V90-LPS     $230 
Cambridge Audio    Alva Duo     $299 
Vincent PHO-8    Vincent PHO-8     $299 
Rega    Fono MM     $395 
Music Fidelity    M1LPS     $399 
Parks Audio    Budgie Tube Phono Preamp     $399 
Pro-Ject Audio    Tube Box S2     $410 
lehmann    lehmann black cube statement     $450 
ifi audio    iPhono 2     $499 
AVA    Vision Q Phono Preamp     $499 
Musical Paradise    MP-P1 MM MC Tube Phono Preamp     $499 
Tritschler     TPAD Model 1000     $599 
lehmann    lehmann black cube      $630 
Musical Surroundings    Phonomena II + phono preamplifier     $750 
Sutherland    KC Vibe     $895 
Jolida    JD9 MK II Phono Preamp     $899 
Magi Phonomenal Tube Phono Stage    Magi Phonomenal Tube Phono Stage     $975 
Channel Islands Audio    PEQ-1 MKII     $995 
Aural Thrills Audio    Serenade     $999 
Elac    Alchemy PPA-2     $1,000 
Clearaudio    Basic Plus     $1,000 
lehmann    lehmann black cube SE II     $1,099 
Trichord Research    Dino Mk3 +      $1,132 
Lejonklou Gaio+ Hagerman Piccolo "head amp"         $1,174 
Heed Audio Quasar    Heed Audio Quasar     $1,200 
Musical Surroundings    NOVA II PHONO PREAMPLIFIER     $1,200 
 

scottdavis0801
4 posts
 

Owned a Schiit Mani, then Mani 2, now the Schiit Skoll.

A very detailed, strong, warm, slam, freaking fantastic 👏 

mike4597
103 posts
 

Take a look at the Lounge Audio LCR phono preamps, hand made in the Los Angeles area by Robert Morin (https://www.loungeaudio.com/hi-fi), and they get great reviews.  Prices begin at $380 for the MKIII, go to $560 for the Silver, and $810 for the Gold.  I bought the Gold version, made to order, and I am extremely pleased with the phone preamp.  I am using a Thorens TD 126 MK II and an Audio-Technica VM540ML MM cartridge, and playing some high-quality LPs from the 1980s (Sheffield and others, including a couple of 45 rpm LPs) the sound is simply amazing--superb tonal qualities, incredible imaging, both laterally and in depth--the sound seems better than most of my CD collection.  I am exceptionally pleased with my purchase and recommend it without reservation.  If you want moving coil capability, he also sells a hand-made step up transformer for that purpose.

More to discover