Best budget $100 - 200 Phono Pre-amp?

I was wondering which of the "budget" phono pre-amps is best. I am considering the NAD, Pro-ject, Music Hall, Creek OBM8 or the Goldring. Any ideas?

vlad145604-15-2005 12:55am

mario_b Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 147 posts 05-19-2005 at 01:12am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Bellari's VP-129 tube preamp - about $160 new. Single 12AX7 preamp tube. It has a switchable rumble filter and signal mute as well as a 1/4" stereo out for headphones. Nice review from HiFi+ last month. A little utilitarian in styling. Color - Fire Engine Red.
artmaltman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 769 posts 07-01-2005 at 02:33am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete How can one tube handle two channels? (VP-129) Art
mario_b Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 147 posts 07-01-2005 at 04:07am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Artmaltman, As I understand it, and audiogoner "Newbee" might be better at explaining it, the symmetrical structure of a vacuum tube allows for addressing two distinct signal paths. In the case of the VP-129, one would have to count on a high degree of structural symmetry between the two halves for channel balance.
Post removed Aug 06, 2015
artmaltman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 769 posts 07-01-2005 at 04:54pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Would this compromise channel separation - either substantially or subtlely? (Or am I asking for too much at $160? for a phono stage? : - ) Art