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Phono preamp advice.

Hi all, I am a new convert to the beauties of LPs. I recently got a MMF7 TT and a Phonomena phonopre. Reading some of the posts here I have noticed that some "in-the'know" folks mention that the phonopre is pretty important. I am meditating a move to the Audio Research PH line and am wondering whether it would be a significant upgrade from my Phonomena. The rest of my gear is a Pass X1 pre to Brystons 7bsst. Feeding B&W 802 S3s. I was hoping for something under 2K if possible. I listen, mostly, to classical and jazz. Any other phonopre recommendations would be welcomed also.
Although I do listen to CDs I am a bit amazed at the musicality I hear from analog.
Thank you.
lachobba
phild
603 posts
 
I'm not sure, but you might be considering spending more than you should for your TT and cartridge. I'm not sure if it makes too much sense to upgrade the phono stage, when the money might be better spent on upgrading the TT, arm, and cartridge instead? Maybe others can chime in on that subject??
tom_nice
387 posts
 
There is, or was, on Audiogon, an EAR 834P with extra tubes for a very good price--under $800. I have one and prefer it to an AHT DM-P phono preamp that cost more than three times as much retail. IMHO you couldn't go wrong with this choice, and could easily resell it for more if necessary.
agaffer
256 posts
 
I have a Phenomena with the BPS that I was using with a Teres 265/Graham 2.2/Lyra Helikon set up. I moved "up" to a Tom Evans Groove about a month ago. To be honest I don't hear any difference or improvement and the Tom Evans gets pretty good reveiws from all that use it. The point is I think that the Phenomena is way under rated. If you don't have the BPS, you might consider getting that instead of a new phono pre.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I'm unfamiliar with the Phonomena but I agree with PhilD. That TT (arm? cart?) is well below the rest of your system.

The best phono stage in the world won't improve a signal that isn't reaching it in the first place. Upgrading your source first helps control results and - very important - the cartridge may determine which phono stage to choose. Choosing a phono stage first often limits your cartridge selections.
lachobba OP
26 posts
 
I am beginning to see that the "front" is more important (for now) and that maybe the MMF7 is ok but not remarkable. I was a bit afraid when I bought the TT that my craze with LPs would pass when the realities I remembered (from olden days) of cleaning, dealing with less-than-perfect surfaces, and storing would again dampen my enthusiasm. Well...unfortunately...the sound is so bloody good (even with my humble TT and pre) that the PIA quotient doesn't really matter. Maybe my next move is to go to local shops that have analog setups and just listen using some LPs from my collection.
I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate your input and am happy that Audiogon has these various forums to be able to learn from the experience of others.
N.
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