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Dedicated phono-pre for MM only?

Hi All,
the subject of phono-pres, specifically 'adapted' to MM came up in some related postings.

IF, and only if, MMs are much to ones liking --- why spend your buck on some 'halve backed' 60dB plus, MC gain requirement, stage? Why not consider put the $$$ into a TOP 40dB gain stage of either SS or tube?

Raul had more thoughs on the subject as he mentioned before, and might share, why he knows that a TOP MM compared to MC stage circuit requirement might NOT be -one suit fits all-.

There could even be a nice argument to fit a tube gain stage only into an otherwise SS only system!?

Again, the $buck saved on the 20dB plus circuitry could be translated into the BEST circuit for an MM.
I realise, that most such stages were simply fitted inside some older TOP pre-amps, (e.g. Jadis...).
I have not come across a **dedicated** , current 40dB stage neither in nor outside a pre-amp.

Thank you,
Axel
axelwahl
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Maybe have one custom made by Juicy Music, Hagerman, Wavelength, or similar for 3-6mV output only.
76doublebass's avatar
76doublebass
254 posts
 
http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm
Try Decware ZP3 this is very high quality class A Tube
for $895.00 fully assembled and comes with a 30 day trial as well.
I am not affiliated with them. I have their integrated power SET amp and love it alot,But I'm not into vinyl anymore,But have purchased their Tube cd player instead.
Don C.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Yes, if you get the match right. Start with the cartridge end and find out which pre's work best with the pre.
axelwahl OP
788 posts
 
Hi All,
has anyone experience with an Allen Wright 'Vacuum State' phono-stage at all?

Axel
lewm
13,143 posts
 
Dear Axel, You stole my question from the MM cartridge thread, but I am glad you did, because no one really responded to it over there. Ideally, I would build an MM phono stage myself, based on a single-ended LCR type of RIAA equalization or based on a true balanced circuit design. There are several schematics available for either topology. But in the interim (because it will take me 6 months or more to build such a thing), I would like to find a dedicated MM phono stage to use. Some of the above suggestions do sound appealing. I would like to spend less than $2K and to buy something used in that price range. One candidate would be the cheapest Allnic preamp, the H-1200. Others are Hagerman, Graham Slee, Vacuum State, Pass, Whest, Aqvox, etc. I would love to hear from anyone with actually experience of these or other candidate units.

My regular phono is a highly modified (by me) Atma-sphere MP1. It sounds wonderful on MCs, and I know how to modify it to reduce phono gain for MM, but I would rather not do so, because it would involve the insertion of a switch in the signal path which might particularly degrade MC performance.
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