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Is built in phono preamp usually best way to go?

Not just for economy but for fidelity as well. Im thinking by having internal phono stage you dont have to buy extra cable, power cord, or housing and power supply etc..... Just for hypothetical analysis lets say you buy a $1500 preamp and a $1500 phono preamp. Would you not under most but not all circumstances be better off with an added $500 phono module in preamp? I know you may not have the extra versatility on settings like a phono preamp would have. I read some where years ago in a magazine its usually best to buy preamp with phono module built in. I know now some preamps dont have phono built in and if they do it might be putin as an after thought like headphone amps. I just bought a Bryston BP25 with MM stage and going to compare it with my Acoustech PH1-P phono preamp. The Bryston is replacing the Adcom GFP-750. From my research it should be an up grade. Also I wanted to see if it has better matching with my Bryston amp. It does not have near as much volume in passive mode and I have to add gain to my phono stage for dynamics but im wondering if im just introducing distortion. High output Benz MC bumped up to 52 gain. I usually favor passive mode because of the Adcoms active stage grain. Im being somewhat critical and its not a bad preamp. Just want an improvement. Any thoughts appreciated
128x128blueranger
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Just for hypothetical analysis lets say you buy a $1500 preamp and a $1500 phono preamp. Would you not under most but not all circumstances be better off with an added $500 phono module in preamp?"

I know what you are asking, but the simple answer is, your question can't be answered with any type of accuracy. There's just way too many variables. The only advice I can give you is that you need to get the info you need to make the choice yourself. And by info, I mean actual listening. If you do this going only by opinions and reviews, success will probably be accidental.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
One issue with a built in phono, is that you don't get as much isolation from all of the other electronics and the power supply of an all-in-one unit. This is particularly important for a phono stage due to the sizes of the signals involved. You'll note that many standalone phono stages employ external power supplies for better performance.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
There is no 'best way to go' when it comes to just about anything in audio. Many choose to go built in, whether just with a phono stage in a preamp, or an integrated amp that has a preamp in an amp, because it is more simple and economical.

There are many arguments for going in either direction, but it pretty much boils down to whether you want more flexibility and are happy to pay for it, or whether you want more bang for the buck. It will be a different choice for everyone. What is the right choice for another, will not necessarily be the right choice for you.
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