Anyone had any experience with pre-preamps cpmpared to the more usual step-up transformers , are pre-pres still made even?
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Pre preamplifiers vs step up transformers
- Thread starter Purite Audio
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Start date
- Views 1,392
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murray johnson
Guest
Linn & Naim still seem to use active MC stages. Audio Research put so much gain into their pre's it makes no difference. Shelter make an active stage as well as a transformer.
I've yet to hear an active stage that gets close.
I've yet to hear an active stage that gets close.
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murray johnson
Guest
Murray ,you use a AN Uk cart don't you and a sfz, what do you use for a phono stage,if you don't mind me asking, would you go the m77 route is cost were no object? Keith.
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murray johnson
Guest
I use an AN UK Io and some older Audionote Japan S6 transformers. The cartridge may be changing soon. The M77 is very nice but I couldn't afford one. I'm also more interested in making a phono stage with LCR Eq later this year as someone showed in another thread (thatI can't now find!)
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murray johnson
Guest
I would go for the stevens and billington transformers. I would also investigate who makes the transformers for some of the best known hifi companies.
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murray johnson
Guest
UK made cartridge
I think S&B make the ANUK transformers but to entirely different AN specced designs than those they make for Music First Audio.
I think S&B make the ANUK transformers but to entirely different AN specced designs than those they make for Music First Audio.
I'm seeing Johnathan this afternoon trying out the step up as it happens. I shall ask him and report back
Music First is Stevens and Billington.
Music First is Stevens and Billington.
murray johnson wrote:
I was thinking of getting a fully-assembled (LCR) Cole MM/MC phono stage from DIY Hifi supply in Hong Kong, which is meant to be really good:
http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_cole.htm
(scroll to bottom of page)
The spec has changed since I last looked a few months ago. They seem to be using a SQ Supermalloy 600 LCR Eq module instead of the S&B LCR one used in the past (they weren't able to get sufficient LCR modules from S&B, I think). It comes with a SQ Supermalloy step up transformer whereas last year you had a choice between ordering it with a basic amorphous core transformer or a S&B TX103.
I was previously thinking of buying this phono stage but I've no idea how this SQ stuff compares to S&Bs. Also, its a bit risky buying something at that price ($1337) without hearing it first, despite its good reputation! This appears impossible without actually going to Hong Kong! Shame though, because with the dollar-pound rate being so favourable, the LCR Cole would only cost about £900 including shipping and import duty (by my calculation). This is substantially less than something like a Noteworthy phonote at £1700.
Another even cheaper option I could consider would be to buy a cheap second-hand Ear 834P MM, chuck out the valves and coupling caps, and wire up something like a TX103.
Returning to the topic of the thread, I'd say using a high quality step up is the best way to go with MC.
Hi Murray,
I was thinking of getting a fully-assembled (LCR) Cole MM/MC phono stage from DIY Hifi supply in Hong Kong, which is meant to be really good:
http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_cole.htm
(scroll to bottom of page)
The spec has changed since I last looked a few months ago. They seem to be using a SQ Supermalloy 600 LCR Eq module instead of the S&B LCR one used in the past (they weren't able to get sufficient LCR modules from S&B, I think). It comes with a SQ Supermalloy step up transformer whereas last year you had a choice between ordering it with a basic amorphous core transformer or a S&B TX103.
I was previously thinking of buying this phono stage but I've no idea how this SQ stuff compares to S&Bs. Also, its a bit risky buying something at that price ($1337) without hearing it first, despite its good reputation! This appears impossible without actually going to Hong Kong! Shame though, because with the dollar-pound rate being so favourable, the LCR Cole would only cost about £900 including shipping and import duty (by my calculation). This is substantially less than something like a Noteworthy phonote at £1700.
Another even cheaper option I could consider would be to buy a cheap second-hand Ear 834P MM, chuck out the valves and coupling caps, and wire up something like a TX103.
Returning to the topic of the thread, I'd say using a high quality step up is the best way to go with MC.
