Best phono amp for under £300?

[linnmike]

I'm looking for a new phono amp to go with a Michell Technodec in a bedroom system. Don't really want to spend more than £300. Cartridge is a Goldring G1042 moving magnet, amp an Arcam Alpha 8R. Any suggestions?

 

[rockmeister]

for that price, the trichord dino is hard to beat...excellent sound...look here:

http://www.trichordresearch.com/acatalog/Dino.html

or did you mean a whole amp with built in phono stage??

 

[sheldon5]

I agree the Dino is an excellent phono stage, though having said that I just got a Graham Slee 2 Spec Ed for my Rega P5 which is amazing.. check out http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=245 bought from here before and they are always quick.. also stock the Trichord Dino so for around £300 it could be what you're after!

 

[dudywoxer]

If you want to spend lots less, and not miss the mark by very much, the Gram Amp 2 SE is very good, and the little cambridge audio 640p is astounding for about 3 quid.

 

[sheldon5]

Isn't the 640P similar in price/performance to the Project Phono Box or better? I've been surprised with the performance from the Slee 2SE, now looking to get the PSU upgrade but not sure if the difference would be noticable.

 

[dudywoxer]

The 640 is streets in front of he Phono box, I think its about £60.

 

[A.N.]

get a used trichord dino, and spend the rest on vinyl

 

[stormyuklondon1]

i'm currently using a heed mm phono amp with my gyro/techno-arm/dyanvector 10x5 until my dynavector p75 mk2 turns up, and i can highly recommend it. bloody bargain when you consider its £225 aswell!

 

[TIU]

Having had use of the Trichord Dino to compare with the Pro-Ject Phono Box SE, I would say the Dino is a very worthwhile investment. But get the Dino+ (plus) with the separate PSU.

 

[linnmike]

Thanks for the recommendations. I called Audio Affair this evening based on what you said (for some reason they are open until 9 every day) and they were very helpful and did me a good deal on the Dino..also picked up some 180 gm LPs with it, so went a little over budget, but hopefully it'll be worth it (and its Easter after all). They also have the PSU upgrades, but the never connected version (http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=378) costs so much more than even the Dino so I'm sceptical it would make a difference. In any case, looking forward to seeing how the Dino fares when it arrives!

 

[JCL]

Ask for a Demo but I've been very impressed by the Never Connected components.

 

[Chumpy]

Although I have tried many, the best one is IMO the one that comes within obsolete Marantz PM7200 (MM normal parameters solely).

I agree that it is possible to believe anything, and that in Naim context I can enjoy Naim Stageline.

 

[johnnyesox]

Yip, Trichord Dino for that T/T is the way to go... even better if you get it 2nd hand,what you save, keep for the Dino + upgrade,this will take your Technodec into another league...[honest!]

 

[JamesT]

I have the Dino and have been very happy with it so far. Replaces and far outstrips my old Musical Fidelity XLP, although the latter did go for a song on eBay!

 

[rockmeister]

hope you enjoy it.