Bellari VP129 thoughts/experiences?

I had one that I used for a while. It's good for the money. But otherwise unremarkable in my experience. I can't really offer you much of a review beyond that because I wasn't really playing much vinyl during the time I owned it - I was in the process if getting back into vinyl - but not really there. I sold mine because I picked up a Rega Hal preamp which has a much nicer phono section. I hope this helps a little bit.

I haven't heard it myself, but the guys at my local shop say it gives the Musical Fidelity X-LPS a run for it's money (they sell both). Not as detailed, but they have absolutly no complaints for $199.

Chip

Call me impatient, but I went ahead and picked one up (it's on the way).

It may turn out to be just as Bdgregory states: unremarkable. I just need something to amplify the cart and give me line level gain (i.e. I've got no pre-amp, period).

I mean, the thing is a head-amp, it has a volume knob for line-level gain, a rumble-filter (should you need it), a mute button, and heck, it's tube driven, so I figure for $200 you really can't go wrong.

Anyhow, thanks for the comments and suggestions - I appreciate it.

I have had some very exotic phono preamps, like Vendetta, Spectral Preamps, EAR and more...

The Bellari - VERY NICE, and for $250 I assure its a joke.
You can place this with an expensive analog setup, and there is no intimidation. Slight hum but thats it.

rapogee