Recommendations for Phono Stage (RIAA?)

[LucasAdamson]

I am trying to get recommendations for a rock solid phono pre-amp design for integrating into a Pass Labs First Watt B1 bufer/ LM3875 Chip amp combo for use with a Technics SL1210 Mk2 turntable with MC cartridge. Ideally I'd like to be able to use it with a MM cartridge as well down the road, though it's not critical.

It's really hard to find something that's really highly recommended and has been put through the paces and improved upon. I need that because although I love making electronics, I'm lost when it comes to designing or improving upon the designs. I basically like making kits.

Many thanks
Lucas

[mr ed]

Hagerman Technology LLC: Cornet2 Vacuum Tube Moving Magnet Phonostage DIY Kit

I love mine!
Ed

[burbeck]

hi
designed by john Linsley Hood, gain adjustable MM or MC carts, pcb or kit availible, i use this circuit myself sounds nice. the pcb looks good from these guys and price looks ok too.

Circuit (bottom of page 1450 phono)

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/paulkemble/sound3.html

PCB/Kit

1450 Phono Stage

i have no connection with this company.

[georgehifi]

If you can get the circuit somewhere to make yourself, the Tom Evans Microgroove or Microgroove+ a British made solid state phono stage left all others in it's wake at our Audio Society phono stage comparison, it sounded big and full bodied like tube but with the detail and control of solid state, it was truly head and shoulders above the others.

Cheers George

[LucasAdamson]

Originally Posted by mr ed

Hagerman Technology LLC: Cornet2 Vacuum Tube Moving Magnet Phonostage DIY Kit

I love mine!
Ed

It looks nice, but I think putting tubes into this particular integrated amp may be a bit of a mishmash. Besides, it's expensive and from what you say, MM only, whereas I've got an MC cartridge (on the Technics SL1210 Mk2 I have bought but yet to collect).

Thanks for the heads up though!
Lucas

[LucasAdamson]

Originally Posted by burbeck

hi
designed by john Linsley Hood, gain adjustable MM or MC carts, pcb or kit availible, i use this circuit myself sounds nice. the pcb looks good from these guys and price looks ok too.

Circuit (bottom of page 1450 phono)

A Paul Kemble web page - John Linsley Hood preamp designs.

PCB/Kit

1450 Phono Stage

i have no connection with this company.

Now this, Burbeck, looks bang on the money! Many thanks indeed. Unless Nelson Pass decides he wants to give me the design to his new all singing RIAA stage, I think I'll go with this. I looked up J. L. Hood in Wikipedia, and it seems he was an English nuclear physicist, among other things. It will be good to get some classic British-ness in my amp design...

Many thanks again. If you can advise me about the build or substitutions you've made, please feel free to do so.

Lucas

[binspaul]

Hi,

Anybody got the Tom Evans Microgroove schematic that George mentioned ?

The link to the product site is: Tom Evans Audio Design-USA

Best regards,
Bins.

[LucasAdamson]

Originally Posted by georgehifi

If you can get the circuit somewhere to make yourself, the Tom Evans Microgroove or Microgroove+ a British made solid state phono stage left all others in it's wake at our Audio Society phono stage comparison, it sounded big and full bodied like tube but with the detail and control of solid state, it was truly head and shoulders above the others.

Cheers George

Sounds like you've heard a few and this was the best, but I can't find a clone anywhere (in a fairly cursory search, I'll admit).

Thanks for the recommendation
Lucas

[binspaul]

Keep on searching... one day you will find that little bit !!!

[peranders]

You have my monster RIAA amp, only for people with no heart condition