2. amps-preamps
  3. 1217282659

Best budget phono preamp for Unison Unico?

Hi,

I was fortunate enough to buy a Unison Unico hybrid integrated amp here on Audiogon at a great price ($800). :-)

I'm driving a set of Totem Arro speakers. And I have a SOTA Sapphire TT currently being refurbished at the SOTA factory.

Since this Unico doesn't have the built in phono stage, I need an outboard unit. When I say "budget," I mean $250 or less, ideally. I was considering the Cambridge unit that goes for $169... the reviews look good. Any other suggestions? I'm not sure whether I'll be using MM or MC in in the tone arm. All I know is that the 20-year-old Audioquest cartridge needs replacing! ;-)

Thanks!
rebbi
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knownothing
1,610 posts
 
Rebbi,

It me again. I lifted this from another thread I wrote a while ago. I am shopping for a budget phono pre as well - and these are the models I intend to give a listen. If your sweetheart deal on the phenomena falls through, I would look at these - conditioned by the advice already offered above:

Phono preamps less than or equal $250:

1. Rega Fono mini

2. Cambridge Audio 640P**

3. Pro-Ject Phono Box

4. Creek OBH-18

5. Bellari VP129 Tube**

**units I have heard especially good things about recently, including on this thread!
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Somebody's got an Antique Sound Labs phono mini up for grabs here for $250 obo... a 2-tube unit. Anybody familiar with it?
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Knownothing,

Thanks for the list! :-)

HCM has a limited supply of those Creek units on sale for $320. I need to do some research on those.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Knownothing,

Check that... it's the OBH-15 that HCM has on sale.
mingles
799 posts
 
08-01-08: Rebbi
Somebody's got an Antique Sound Labs phono mini up for grabs here for $250 obo... a 2-tube unit. Anybody familiar with it?
Grab it. You can't go wrong for $250. I haven't heard it, but in my experience, inexpensive tube phono preamps always outperform similarly priced SS designs. They tend to sound more realistic and spacious. Cheap SS designs may be quieter, but they're also lifeless and flat. I've owned the Phonomena, Musical Fidelity X-LPS, Parasound zPhono. If you don't like the ASL, you can easily sell it for the same price you paid. What do you have to lose?
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