What to look for in a phono stage

dlb2

dlb2

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Now that I'm getting back into vinyl I need to pick up a phono stage. This is totally new territory for me and the choices are staggering. I'm sure that, like most other audio gear, the options, quality and sound reproduction is better as you spend more. Since I am basically having to start this system from scratch my initial budget is small. Are there any lesser priced phono stages that are giant killers? I don't know if they are somewhat 'table dependent so I'm looking at either a Clearaudio Concept or a VPI Traveler. I hoping to stay around the $800.00 range for now (am I dreaming!).
 
I have some trade in that you can get
interest
ARC PH3
ARC PH5
I have original boxes with low hours in
the tubes

PM me if you want for more info
 
Yeah..what he said...

Oh Doug...this is a journey...one I have been on...LOL

First, the phono stage will be dependent of if you are going MM or MC cart (MC carts are a bit pricier but to me and many others have the best sound).

MM phone stages are easy. If your pre-amp or receiver doesn't have one built in, then I could point you to ones that go from $40 to $100's. And believe me when I say the $40 is no slouch.

The ARC's mentioned above are MM phono stages and DAMN pricey...no offense to the offer (really) but I would never pay what they get for those in a MM stage unless it supported MC also

MC carts - Much harder. I tend to stay away from tube versions because unless they are very expensive and possibly hybrids, they can color your sound more than solid state. NOT something I think you want.

Now here is the challenge. You can get MC phono stage for about $70 or $1000's ...and its really a synchronicity to your system and tastes. I have had better success with MC phono Stages in the $100 range than the $500 range. I have not gone beyond that so I can't honestly say.

Can I make a suggestion ? This is your first foray into this? Get the table you want and get a really nice MM cart. That makes the phono stage so much easier. If down the road you wish to MC carts, then you can shop for them and phono stages for MC carts then. Sort of like this analogy. You are buying your very first car. Do you invest heavily up front and buy that Ferrari or do you maybe start with a BMW M3 first ..to get your feet wet...LOL
 
ohbythebay said:
Yeah..what he said...

Oh Doug...this is a journey...one I have been on...LOL

First, the phono stage will be dependent of if you are going MM or MC cart (MC carts are a bit pricier but to me and many others have the best sound).

MM phone stages are easy. If your pre-amp or receiver doesn't have one built in, then I could point you to ones that go from $40 to $100's. And believe me when I say the $40 is no slouch.

The ARC's mentioned above are MM phono stages and DAMN pricey...no offense to the offer (really) but I would never pay what they get for those in a MM stage unless it supported MC also

MC carts - Much harder. I tend to stay away from tube versions because unless they are very expensive and possibly hybrids, they can color your sound more than solid state. NOT something I think you want.

Now here is the challenge. You can get MC phono stage for about $70 or $1000's ...and its really a synchronicity to your system and tastes. I have had better success with MC phono Stages in the $100 range than the $500 range. I have not gone beyond that so I can't honestly say.

Can I make a suggestion ? This is your first foray into this? Get the table you want and get a really nice MM cart. That makes the phono stage so much easier. If down the road you wish to MC carts, then you can shop for them and phono stages for MC carts then. Sort of like this analogy. You are buying your very first car. Do you invest heavily up front and buy that Ferrari or do you maybe start with a BMW M3 first ..to get your feet wet...LOL
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input Rob. Great minds think alike! I was thinking along the same line as you with starting with an MM cart. and trying something different later on if I choose to. I've always been more of a BMW guy anyway. :D
 
ohbythebay said:
Yeah..what he said...

Oh Doug...this is a journey...one I have been on...LOL

First, the phono stage will be dependent of if you are going MM or MC cart (MC carts are a bit pricier but to me and many others have the best sound).

MM phone stages are easy. If your pre-amp or receiver doesn't have one built in, then I could point you to ones that go from $40 to $100's. And believe me when I say the $40 is no slouch.

The ARC's mentioned above are MM phono stages and DAMN pricey...no offense to the offer (really) but I would never pay what they get for those in a MM stage unless it supported MC also

MC carts - Much harder. I tend to stay away from tube versions because unless they are very expensive and possibly hybrids, they can color your sound more than solid state. NOT something I think you want.

Now here is the challenge. You can get MC phono stage for about $70 or $1000's ...and its really a synchronicity to your system and tastes. I have had better success with MC phono Stages in the $100 range than the $500 range. I have not gone beyond that so I can't honestly say.

Can I make a suggestion ? This is your first foray into this? Get the table you want and get a really nice MM cart. That makes the phono stage so much easier. If down the road you wish to MC carts, then you can shop for them and phono stages for MC carts then. Sort of like this analogy. You are buying your very first car. Do you invest heavily up front and buy that Ferrari or do you maybe start with a BMW M3 first ..to get your feet wet...LOL
Click to expand...

The ARC PH3 and PH5 support MC I believe. My two cents is that MC sounds much better. I had a top of the line Clearaudio MM Cart, then switched to a Dynavector MC cart. No contest.

But yes....MM can be easier to find a phono stage for.
 
Mike, I agree. MC in the long run is better, but when getting ones feet wet....LOL...MC can be a pricey ENTRY into this crazy vinyl world...not even so much the carts, but the dang phono stages to support...

I didn't know on the Arc's..I looked at their site and specs and didn't see anything for MC (gain DB, ohms, etc.)

3 STEP ups I really like...(don't laugh, these things are awesome for MC)

Audio Technica at 660T OCC MC Step Up Transformer | eBay

Audio Technica AT660T OOC Step Up Transformer MC Cartridge Moving Coilcartridge | eBay

Audio Technica at 670T MC Step Up Transformer 3 40 Ohm | eBay

For MM
YAQIN MS 22B mm RIAA Highend HiFi Tube Phono Stage | eBay

I like this one for the MM, hate it for the MC
New Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Audiophile mm MC Phono Pre Amplifier | eBay

ANd of course my budget favorite..DONT LAUGH....LOL
Amazon.com: ART DJPRE II Phono Preamplifier Dual RCA Type Inputs and Outputs Switchable Low Cut Filter: Musical Instruments

I match that up to $400 MM phono stages
ART Pro Audio
 
Both are MM and MC
PH3 is switchable from inside
PH5 is switchable from the front panel
or remote control

And try to read from the web about
both of them, they are awesome .

And you are buying used gear with
Wonderful price
 
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