Phono preamps

patrick bateman · Post by **patrick bateman** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:01 pm

Since I am thinking about selling my dj mixer, I need to be able to still listen to vinyls from time to time, and therefore need a solution to get the sound from the 1210 into my soundcard or into my little Behringer studio mixer.
I'm guessing I need a phono preamp?
Something like this:
http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750lcpp.html

But I have no experience in this field, what is good, what is bad?

Tips wanted, thanks in advance.

prussell · Post by **prussell** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:07 am

that one actually isn't too bad for the price.
in that price range i would also recommend the Rolls.

prussell · Post by **prussell** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:16 am

btw, Rolls = Bellari

and here's some more options:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Stor ... 8Ta38Sbxb0

patrick bateman · Post by **patrick bateman** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:35 am

Don't look into the one I posted, that was just the first hit on google. I need some hands on experience.
Got this advice from some Danish friends, which looks cool and good quality, but I would like to know other options too.

http://www.hifiklubben.dk/produkter/til ... grafit.htm

prussell · Post by **prussell** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 12:38 pm

given your background in music production, i would guess you already own a soundcard that's better than what's in the PP3.
in other words, your money would be better spent on upgrading to an option without built-in USB.

choose your preamp based on character; for instance, a Cambridge Audio 640 will be much brighter than a Bellari VP-130, which is tube-driven and has an inherent 'warmness'...then again, a Rega Fono Mini will be rather neutral/transparent, in between the previous two examples.
that said, pay attention to how you match one with your cartridge.
in other words, don't pair the Cambridge Audio preamp with a high-end Audio-Technica cartridge, which tends to be more crisp...the combo may be a little too strong on the high-end.

regarding NAD, i've read numerous reviews saying the PP2 is a good <$200 preamp though...i personally have not heard one, so i can't speak to it.
NAD is typically a decent well-rounded brand though.

thom · Post by **thom** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:30 pm

It should be noted that some older tuners/amplifiers have excellent preamps in them. I've had several of them and dj mixers... and I have this old phono preamp box with no stickers watsoever on it as well.

I'm currently using this 70's Toshiba Sa-520 in my living room+Shure M95ed (on a thorens tt). Things never sounded so tight, punchy and clear. When I say "tight", I mean the bass, mostly. Very clean and precise, no mud.

tintin2085 · Post by **tintin2085** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:49 pm

The ART USB phono preamp looks nice : http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp ... =13&id=128

I have nerver heard it but a lot of people say it's sound quite nice.

The advantage with this stuff is that you don't need to go into an 3rd party soundcard. I think it's better for the sound quality.

patrick bateman · Post by **patrick bateman** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:24 pm

tintin2085 wrote:The ART USB phono preamp looks nice : http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp ... =13&id=128

I have nerver heard it but a lot of people say it's sound quite nice.

The advantage with this stuff is that you don't need to go into an 3rd party soundcard. I think it's better for the sound quality.

WOW it comes with Audacity on CD ROM !!! and it usb 1.1 compliant !!
Welcome to the future!