Rhinog66 Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 Hi., I'm looking to simplify my setup a little and am looking for a balanced preamp with a good MC phono stage (up to 5k$). In spite of the increasing use of TTs, there seem only very few candidates around, and I haven't heard any. Any advice would be appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 Perhaps you could spend $1000 on a phono stage maybe a Graham Slee and then $4000 on the preamp probably find that would suit your needs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhinog66 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Hm, I was meaning 5 k$ for a brand new second hand preamp...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 You don't need a balanced preamp. That should assist in broadening you choices. Balanced systems are only helpful in EXTREMELY electrically noisy environments, which excludes domestic environments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blybo Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 The new Elektra pre amp is balanced and has a phono option. Might even come a bit under budget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 On 27/12/2016 at 0:40 AM, Rhinog66 said: Hi., I'm looking to simplify my setup a little and am looking for a balanced preamp with a good MC phono stage (up to 5k$). In spite of the increasing use of TTs, there seem only very few candidates around, and I haven't heard any. Any advice would be appreciated. the music fidelity pre's have always had good mm and mc phonos built in, check out the m6pre or the m8pre with usual arm twisting both should be in budget, https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/product/musical-fidelity-m6pre-pre-amplifier/ https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/product/musical-fidelity-m8pre/ I've owned the older version of the m6pre and also and for some years have been enjoying the m8pre, more info here on the mf site, http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/m8series/m8pre to give some idea of the quality of the built in phono, I use an external arc ph6 phono stage and can say the built in phono in the m8 on comparison is actually very good ! http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/m8series/m8pre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhinog66 Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Hi, thank you very much for your suggestions. It seems that the Elekra does not yet have phono boards available. I had several MFs (3.2) ans a 550 integrated and I thought the phono was ok. Perhaps the newer ones are significantly better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubularbells Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 @darth vader had a very nice Jeff Rowland Capri Pre with optional phono installed for sale a while back but not sure if it sold or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darth vader Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 @Tubularbells Thanks for the mention, it's sold though. It was good in the way it could handle MM, low and high MC carts, and was balanced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cox Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I have an Octave Phonomodule (made in Germany) which I'm really pleased with. Well worth a google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NordicNorm Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) I would question the need for balanced. Unless you are running interconnects with lengths greater than 10 m, there really is no advantage. For a budget of $5K, you have a sizable number of contenders to choose from. Since you want used, finding one that's available in the market will be your challenge. Check out Blue Circle BC107PH , BAT VK-32SE, EAR 834L, Shindo Masseto (might be a stretch), or Audion Premier Quattro. If at all possible, try auditioning the preamp in your system. Only then will you know if it's a synergistic fit with the rest of your system. A $100,000 preamp can sound like crap in a mismatched system. Edited January 11, 2017 by NordicNorm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 i no longer question... in my setup where run 8m between pre and pwr. a 10m between my hifi and av system XLR balanced very much is beneficial...same wiht the dac... its clearly audible but then id expect it being the dac has a dual differential output ! but hey if anyone doesnt feel it necessary well dont get one ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J1N80Y Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I'll be selfish and put forward what I currently have (as a spare). A Parasound P5 2.1 Channel Stereo Preamp. Is a Balanced Preamp with good MC Phono Stage. I personally think it's great value for money but happy to hear other opinions. I think it retails for around $2,195. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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