2. analog
  3. 1086404766

Am I really smart or really stupid?

I would like your feedback on this theory. The glory days of vinyl to me, as far as high end hi-fi is concerned, were the late ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s, before the dreaded CD made it’s appearance. Back then vinyl was all you had to work with, and the high end folks really needed to get it right.

My thinking is:

1. A phono section basically supplies RIAA equalization (unless there is boost for a low output cartridge). This is basically boosting the bass and cutting the treble to compensate for making the grooves relatively the same width to cut them on the vinyl.

2. This ain’t that big of a deal. It should not cost $3000.00 to do this. These people are trying to put their hand in my pocket.

3. Why not buy a high end preamp from that era, run your TT into it, come out of the Tape Out as a line stage into your preamp input.

4. I bought a Yamaha C-2 for 100 bucks, run my Linn into it and run it into my tube preamp and it “seems” fine.

Am I stupid or enlightened?

Thanks for your input.

jp
jake42
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,106 posts
 
Dear Jake42: In the 70's and early 80's ( like you say ) there was many high-end manufacturers with exelent products, your Yamaha was not one of that products.
Examples: Audio research, Beveridge, Eidolon Research, Mcintosh, Threshold, etc... and many more. In that time these was the products that the music lover/audiophile have at their home audio systems ( high-end ).
BTW, I agree in every single word of the Aroc answer.
Now, wich are the level of your music standard ?, if the Yamaha or what ever you have is your standard, it is ok, good for you.
Regards and always enjoy the music.
Raul.

Raul.
bomarc
501 posts
 
I vote for enlightened. Designing a phono preamp is not rocket science. I know a high school kid who's done it.
bin
119 posts
 
If there are any audio truths that I have learned over the years is that blanket statements like all of x's products suck...and all of x's products are great are asinine.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,106 posts
 
Hi Bomarc: That is not the point. Example: any one can build a car but not any one can build a Ferrari or a Porche.
Enjoy the music.
Raul.
c123666
871 posts
 
You would notice the difference between the Yamaha C2 and the C2A preamplifier. The C2A was a major improvement over the C2 and is reflected in used prices. This old stuff sounds great with one caveat: it is approaching 30 years old and you have to assume that service is required on all of this old stuff. I have been there and done that and it is not cheap unless YOU do the work yourself.

There are so many excellent values on the used market made within the past ten years that a piece that is 25 years old has to be rather exceptional to be of interest (think McIntosh MC225, Bedini 25/25).

A new Antique Sound Lab tubed phono section at less than 300 new with some basic mods can sound very good is what people in these forums have reported. Used preamps such as an Audible Illusions Modulus 3 (say 700, 650) or an Audio Note M2 Phono (around 900 used) are good values and very, very good.
More to discover