Looking for a $500 or so phono preamp -- BC23 ?


Hi, how would a used Blue Circle BC23 stack up against some of the newer phono preamps Graham Slee, Edwards Audio or Project (Tube Box II?).
What would you buy on that budget ? Any suggestions ? I'm all EARs (yes, lousy pun intended).
Thanks in advance.
128x128kennyman
I understand the reluctance to buy whatever in China direct.
But I had this peculiar experience. My left channel
caused some trouble so I assumed that the cause was the
Jasmine main unit (the power supply was ok). So I wrote to
the manufacturer and got, to my suprise, a new unit within
10 days . No payment whatever was involved. But with the
new unit I had the same problem so I changed the tonearm
to see if the problem was caused elsewhere. This was
the case with my Lustre 801 while no problem at all occured
with my FR-64S. I am very happy with the Jasmine which
I use in my second system . Anyway there is no reason to be
sceptical reg. the warranty by this producer.
I have had my Jasmine for several years. I upgraded the output capacitors with Jantzen Superior z-Caps and I could not be happier. I like value for the dollar and hate to spend for a name.

I have had other audio listeners audition the system and they are stunned at the open and fluid sound that comes from the system.

I don't even give a thought to upgrading.
Hi Redglobe, I inspected the inside of the main unit to see if some L. connection was loose and noticed how thin the internal wires are. Anyway I intend to use (thicker) silver wire for the connectors. For the capacitors I thought about the Mica silver kind. Do you remember what values those Jantzen have? Deed you try some other Caps?

Regards,
Hi Nandric, You might investigate first before increasing the gauge of wire. The voltage is very small and increasing the size may be detrimental to the performance (think in terms of voltage = water pressure and wire size = water pipe diameter).

The output capacitors are 1 uf. I only tried Superior z-caps. You could try the Silver version or even the Auricaps. Review Humble Hifi's Capacitor test page for rating of a wide range of capacitors. You might find something even better.
I loved my little Grado PH-1, wonderful sound and compatible with a good number of MM/MCs.