2. amps-preamps
  3. 191457-178807

Phono Preamp Selection

I have no idea of which Phono Preamp I should purchase.  I read the reviews from Audio Science and the author provides testing criteria and results for Phono Preamps. I do not have a awesome system - rather it is just a nice system. I reviewed (Pro-ject Phono Box DC MM/MC  / Cambridge Audio Duo / IFI Zen / Schitt Skoll ). My turntable is a MoFi with a Hana MC Cartridge. 500.00 is my budget as I am just a listener of old vintage records.  My amp is a Denon and my speakers are bookshelf Triangle(s). Appreciate your time and responses.

smerk
ghdprentice
6,966 posts
 

I am not very familiar with this price category, although I have over fifty years of experience with phono stages. +1 buy used, this will get you in a higher performance category. I much prefer tubes phono stages. Finally, disregard anything you have read on ASR, some guys with instruments that love to chart things… but their reviews are vitally guaranteed to lead you away from good sounding equipment and towards flat lifeless sounding equipment. 

grislybutter
2,994 posts
 

@ghdprentice I have heard good things about Jolinda, and a lot on the used market (which may be a red flag?)

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,501 posts
 

I'd just buy a Bellari tube phono amp. $225 at Music Direct.

medium_grade
87 posts
 

I would echo Schiit Skoll at that price point. If you're into diy, build out the Pete Millett LR Phono and then get a step up transformer or head amp.

geof3
1,129 posts
 

If you like old vintage stuff, tubes are the way to go. As mentioned, look used. You can often find older ARC phono stages for a song. There are others. ASR tends to be full of blowhards that have little concept of actual music so it would seem. Take the “reviews” with a grain of salt.

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