2. analog
  3. 980086180

Moderately priced phono preamps

I have 500+ records and probably spend on about 5% of my listening time playing records. I have a Rega 3 turntable. I have Legacy Focus speakers ($5400), Rotel pre/processor ($2K), and 3 PSE amps ($1K each). I recently bought a Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD player that I love. I'm still using my 22 year old PSE preamp ($1K in 1978) for my phono stage. I do not expect many to be familiar with the PSE, but would like to buy a phono preamp and compare it with the PSE and return it if it doesn't sound better than the PSE. Right now I'm thinking about the $200 Rotel preamp. Does anyone have comments about the Rotel or any other similarly priced phono preamps?
tmartinjr9589
puddles
44 posts
 
I have the Creek OBH-8 phono preamp, and I am quite satisfied with it. As for the previous mention of getting a new preamp, the Adcom GFP750 is a nice preamp, but I believe it is line only, without a phono stage (check the Adcom site)
tmartinjr9589 OP
63 posts
 
Yes, I only use the PSE for records and use the PSEs Record Out to an Aux In on the Rotel. I do not remember it's name, but I have the cartridge that typically is sold with the Rega. Yes, I would like to replace the PSE--only if I can find something that's better sounding. My other option, which I did not mention, but several brought up, is to sell my Rotel 985 ($2.000 list) and buy something that has a phono input (like the Sunfire Theater Grand). If I went that way, I would wait until DAC upsampling becomes more common--probably a year or two. Your replies have been helpful and I will do a little more research.
john_l
782 posts
 
I've heard the black cube. It wasn't lacking for much of anything. Excellent sound. Very detailed and almost 'sweet' sounding. A nice ergonomic consideration is that it does not require it's own shelf.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Puddles, you are correct that the Adcom GFP-750 is a line-level only preamp. I meant to list the Adcom GFP-710, which is an analog preamp with phono stage. Essentially, the GFP-710 is the successor to the GFP-565.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I use to own a Rotel RQ-970 and it was great for my needs. I now have a preamp with phono, the only reason I sold it. It is a Stereophile recommended component if that matters to you.
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