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Preamp-phonostage selection for analog lover

This is my first thread here. Maybe it should go on the amp/preamp board but I am hoping that analog lovers, like me, will have a specialized knowledge base and be gracious enough to provide me with some help.

I really, really like the sound of vinyl. Several months ago, I bought a VPI 16.5 and since then have cleaned about 1,500 of my older LP's. I have a very nice McCormack SS amp, a Clearaudio Champion TT with an average AT cartridge (that I will be replacing), and a pair of Aerial 8 floorstanders. I have been using a borrowed Lehmann Black Cube from a friend. The Cube is okay, but I want to buy my own different from the Cube. Now I want to buy a USED TUBE preamp and a phono stage or a combination pre/phono (I know most people like the separates but I would like to go combo if at all practical). I will, of course, be using the TT and also an older Sony analog tuner. I will be using a run-of-the-mill CD player from time to time, but a high quality digital front end is NOT important to me, nor is it in my future.

Can those of you with more recent experience than I in analog give me some recommendations that would match with this amp, TT, speaker combo. I am also open to cartridge choices. I would like to stay with a good MM for now but would like to have a phono stage with the flexibilty to use an MC in the future. Oh, yes, and I'd like to spend between 1200-1800US on USED component(s)(I prefer someone else to take the knock down, I refuse to buy new in this area)! Please try to suggest units that fall within my price range USED not new, Bang for my buck, you know... Maybe 500-750US on a NEW cartridge - this lot I refuse to buy used! HA)

Thank you
Barbara
lpspinner
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Hi, Barbara. I join Sean in welcoming you. I'm not going to add much to this conversation, except to pose a question, and make one comment. You state that you have been listening to the Lehmann Audio Black Cube -- is it the version with the original power supply, or the newer, much larger power supply called the PWX?

If you have not heard the Black Cube with the larger PWX power supply, you should audition it. I own a Black Cube that has been upgraded to the new power supply, and I must tell you that it this "SE" version is a really significant improvement over the "standard issue" Black Cube. My wife, who is not particularly attentive to my system changes, commented on how much better the upgraded version of the Black Cube was over the original. The Black Cube has two gain stages, one intended for MM (40 db gain), the other for MC cartridges (60 db gain).
sean
6,231 posts
 
Scott, you added quite a bit to this thread as i was unaware that the Lehmann had two different gains that are switch selectable. Good to know for others that ask about such things.

As to the other comments, I had forgot all about the AI Mod 3A. Good suggestion and a worthy contender. Sean
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jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
Barbara, in order to narrow down the many many choices in your price range it would be helpful to know what kind of music you listen to and whether a remote control is important to you. Off the top of my head, the Audio Research SP9 MkIII is a great preamp with a wonderful phono section for around $1000. Some folks like the Conrad Johnson gear but I really don't know much about their preamps that include phono sections. Perhaps consider a lower-end Balanced Audio Technology preamp with the optional phono module? BAT stuff is wonderful. Cartridges...I'd lean toward the higher-end Grados or a Benz Glider.
jnovak's avatar
jnovak
422 posts
 
Hi Barbara, My nod for preamp/phono stage also goes to the Audible Illusions M3. You may want to consider an original M3 instead of the M3A. I've owned both for a long time and have gone back and forth with the "upgrade" option. The first Audible preamp I owned was the M3. I bought it because
it sells in the $600+ price range. When I put it in my system, I could hear only great things coming out of it!
A real winner. Upgrade fever compelled me to buy a M3A and
also an M3A with gold phono. With the exception of the gold
boards higher output, it was hard to justify the extra money
spent on the M3A. My turntable is a VPI TNT3 with JMW10" arm
and a Benz ruby2 cartridge. My rule of thumb is to buy a piece of gear at a price you can sell it at if you're not happy. It's a great feeling listening to a piece of gear
that I paid pennies for, verses the other guys thousands!Joe
blptwp
40 posts
 
Vinyls and tube gears go hand in hand. If you like the sound of vinyls, tube amp and tube preamp would make it sound even better. For your budget, I would go with ARC SP8 and stay away from SP9. The only things about SP8 is you need a high output cartridge or a step-up unit. Once you get into tube preamp, you will eventually get a tube amp.
Someone here once said the difference between digital vs vinyl, solid state vs tube, is like having sex and making love. Good Luck.
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