Phono Pre-Amp - Budget c£500

[HouseElf]

Looking for a new (as in new ideally - not used) phono preamp. Ideally would have MM/MC capability so there is built in flexibility. Any suggestions please?

 

[Iceman 16]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tom-Evans-Audio-Design-Microgroove-X-mkII-Phono-Stage-used-Audio-Therapy-/174552459488?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

 

[Nopiano]

If it has to be new, and your circa is flexible, I’d take a serious look at this...

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/blog/musical-fidelity-mx-vynl-and-why-their-phono-stages-are-special/

£699 RRP I believe, but I’m sure you could get a reduction or ex dem. 

 

[kernow]

I'd go for a pure sound p10, any MC phono at that price would be . . Ehhh anyway. You could add a t10 sut later 

 

[bigrod]

Lehman black cube .. does what it says on the can without any fuss or bother  .. unbelievable performance for the price .. I’ve tried phono amps costing 3 times the price and it still held its own .. partners fabulously with the Benz Micro Ace

kindest regards Julian

 

[mikeyb]

Emotiva XPS-1 £299 new, much much better than the price suggests

PS: used is about half that [emoji6]

 

[Rockchild]

Another vote for Lehmann 

Black cube se

 

[awkwardbydesign]

Very left-field, but I am looking at one of these. http://parksaudiollc.com/

 

[Nopiano]

Very left-field, but I am looking at one of these. http://parksaudiollc.com/

That looks fascinating, but I guess the risk is there is no heritage or finance behind it, and could be gone in a year?  How did you discover it?

 

[DomT]

Dynavector P75 is very good. I have mk3

 

[kernow]

There's an mm ear 834p on eBay right now for a really nice BIN 

just saying

 

[HouseElf]

Very left-field, but I am looking at one of these. http://parksaudiollc.com/

Oddly enough I was looking at one of these this morning - looks like an interesting option. Need to read some more about it I think. 

 

[Warszawa]

You might get a Project Phono Box RS for that soon as there's a new model coming.

 

[HouseElf]

Just a quick update to close this thread off. 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided in the end to buy a phono preamp for life and not just for Christmas and ended up with an EAR Phonobox. 

 

[Rockchild]

Just a quick update to close this thread off. 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided in the end to buy a phono preamp for life and not just for Christmas and ended up with an EAR Phonobox. 

Nice choice mate... in stock or do you have to wait for it?

 

[HouseElf]

I got one the last one in stock it would seem of the 3 places I tried (unless I wanted the demo model) and it arrived this afternoon. Gone for the black fascia with volume control.

Only listened to it for around half an hour but it sounds excellent. Really, really excellent. Looking forward to this evening when I can get it properly warmed up and do some proper listening. 

 

[Rockchild]

I got one the last one in stock it would seem of the 3 places I tried (unless I wanted the demo model) and it arrived this afternoon. Gone for the black fascia with volume control.

Only listened to it for around half an hour but it sounds excellent. Really, really excellent. Looking forward to this evening when I can get it properly warmed up and do some proper listening. 

Good stuff. You will be itching to try that MC stage next  

 

[HouseElf]

Good stuff. You will be itching to try that MC stage next  

I am currently using an Audio Technica VM540ML but this replaced an Audio Technica AT33PTG/ii which I still have - it is a bit long in the tooth which is why it was replaced. It will be interesting to try with the Phonobox to see how good the MC setting is. Might lead me to getting another MC cart and relegate the 540ML to being a back up. More bloody expense!

 

[Tarzan]

Very left-field, but I am looking at one of these. http://parksaudiollc.com/

Crickey that has some features.