Good MM preamp?

Bama Slamma · 15th February 2007, 12:48 AM

I just built my first power amplifier. It works fine with line level devices (cd players, radio tuners, tape decks, etc.) As of now it is powering two Sony 3-way bookshelf speakers. It is my beefed up computer sound system. Anyway, can anybody recommend a good moving magnet stereo preamp? I want to play some of my vinyl through my new amp. My turntable is an old AR with a Shure M97XE cartridge.

vinylkid58 · 15th February 2007, 02:33 AM

NAD 1020 pre or 3020 integrated or similar NAD integrated amps with phono and pre-amp jumpers. The later integrated amps have better rear panel RCA connectors, the 1020/3020 have stupid elevated RCA's that tend to fail.

Jeff

pjanda1 · 15th February 2007, 03:20 AM

I sure like my Hagerman bugle. I spent about $65 and an hour building it. I don't have anything decent (my old integrated's phono section doesn't count) to compare to.

pj

jrdmedford · 15th February 2007, 03:27 AM

Since you've already built an amp, making a MM stage is
very doable. I think you'll like the OP27. I used the OP270 from
Analog Devices (an OP27 follow on) and loved the sound over
the ever popular OPA2134 op-amp based phono stages...

http://www.geocities.com/rjm003.geo/.../diy_pho4.html

An external AC supply is critical. Next is a low noise bipolar regulator.
Dont bother with 7815/7915 regulators. Consider LM317/337 regulators. Even better, use a buried zener reference based
supply like this:

http://www.lcaudio.com/index.php?page=69

-- Jim

eclectic2k · 15th February 2007, 06:50 AM

Were you thinking DIY or something off the shelf? Any cost goal?

I've seen nice kits around, such as at Borbely audio or Marchand Electronics. And Hagtech has a nice kit or bare PCB for not too much $$. Sorry, but no idea how any of these sound.

I have a Rolls Bellari VP129 that I really like. I looked at all the kits before I bought this one, but got lazy. (plus the local shop loaned it to me and I liked it) Luckily I got it before the price increase - though I would have bought it even for the new price

It has volume control and headphone output too if you like that kinda thing.

Rolls also makes a neat little cheap VP29 that is only around $50. It's probably all op-amp, but it may not be too bad??

Of course there are plenty of decent phono preamps available from all the usual suspects NAD, Rotel, Cambridge audio, etc...

-Chris

jrdmedford · 15th February 2007, 02:29 PM

If you're going to hear the differences between op-amps, it's
going to be in a phono preamp! These are simple enough
to build that you ought to try it. Battery power is very attainable
and gets you out of the tyranny of AC power supplies, noise, etc.
You still however, need good regulation.

The VSPS Phono pre is a great starting point. For a selection
of op-amps to try out, try the ADI OP270 or the BB OPA2134
in the gain stage. The ADI AD826 makes an excellent unity gain
buffer for driving the cable between your phono stage and preamp/integrated.

If you want a far easier way to do the project, go purchase a
Gemini PA-7000. It has a handsome brushed alum case and
features a line stage and phono preamp. The PA-7000 is very
easy to "upgrade"

-- Jim

Bas Horneman · 15th February 2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

The VSPS Phono pre is a great starting point

Seconded.

thinker10 · 16th February 2007, 09:10 PM

How good the inside of the Gemini PA-7000 ?

Whats weak ?

Thanks

Bama Slamma · 17th February 2007, 09:44 PM

I want to build something relatively inexpensive that can run off a 12-0-12V 50VA transformer I have lying around. I already have a small chassis that I can put it in. The transformer is an EI type. Any special considerations for that?

eclectic2k · 17th February 2007, 10:31 PM

sounds like the Hagerman bugle or the circuit that Jim posted a link to would be good.

I think the only consideration for the transformer would be a little extra attention to shielding or keeping it a bit further from the preamp circuit. - but that's good practice anyway.

Unless you go crazy on expensive op-amps, you should be able to build this for pretty cheap. You already have the most expensive parts ;-)

15th February 2007, 12:48 AM	#1
Bama Slamma diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Good MM preamp? I just built my first power amplifier. It works fine with line level devices (cd players, radio tuners, tape decks, etc.) As of now it is powering two Sony 3-way bookshelf speakers. It is my beefed up computer sound system. Anyway, can anybody recommend a good moving magnet stereo preamp? I want to play some of my vinyl through my new amp. My turntable is an old AR with a Shure M97XE cartridge.

15th February 2007, 06:50 AM	#5
eclectic2k diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silicon Valley	MM preamps? Were you thinking DIY or something off the shelf? Any cost goal? I've seen nice kits around, such as at Borbely audio or Marchand Electronics. And Hagtech has a nice kit or bare PCB for not too much $$. Sorry, but no idea how any of these sound. I have a Rolls Bellari VP129 that I really like. I looked at all the kits before I bought this one, but got lazy. (plus the local shop loaned it to me and I liked it) Luckily I got it before the price increase - though I would have bought it even for the new price It has volume control and headphone output too if you like that kinda thing. Rolls also makes a neat little cheap VP29 that is only around $50. It's probably all op-amp, but it may not be too bad?? Of course there are plenty of decent phono preamps available from all the usual suspects NAD, Rotel, Cambridge audio, etc... -Chris

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15th February 2007, 02:33 AM	#2
vinylkid58 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, B.C.	NAD 1020 pre or 3020 integrated or similar NAD integrated amps with phono and pre-amp jumpers. The later integrated amps have better rear panel RCA connectors, the 1020/3020 have stupid elevated RCA's that tend to fail. Jeff

15th February 2007, 03:20 AM	#3
pjanda1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Nebraska Panhandle	I sure like my Hagerman bugle. I spent about $65 and an hour building it. I don't have anything decent (my old integrated's phono section doesn't count) to compare to. pj

15th February 2007, 03:27 AM	#4
jrdmedford diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Medford, MA	Since you've already built an amp, making a MM stage is very doable. I think you'll like the OP27. I used the OP270 from Analog Devices (an OP27 follow on) and loved the sound over the ever popular OPA2134 op-amp based phono stages... http://www.geocities.com/rjm003.geo/.../diy_pho4.html An external AC supply is critical. Next is a low noise bipolar regulator. Dont bother with 7815/7915 regulators. Consider LM317/337 regulators. Even better, use a buried zener reference based supply like this: http://www.lcaudio.com/index.php?page=69 -- Jim

15th February 2007, 02:29 PM	#6
jrdmedford diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Medford, MA	If you're going to hear the differences between op-amps, it's going to be in a phono preamp! These are simple enough to build that you ought to try it. Battery power is very attainable and gets you out of the tyranny of AC power supplies, noise, etc. You still however, need good regulation. The VSPS Phono pre is a great starting point. For a selection of op-amps to try out, try the ADI OP270 or the BB OPA2134 in the gain stage. The ADI AD826 makes an excellent unity gain buffer for driving the cable between your phono stage and preamp/integrated. If you want a far easier way to do the project, go purchase a Gemini PA-7000. It has a handsome brushed alum case and features a line stage and phono preamp. The PA-7000 is very easy to "upgrade" -- Jim

16th February 2007, 09:10 PM	#8
thinker10 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canada	How good the inside of the Gemini PA-7000 ? Whats weak ? Thanks

17th February 2007, 09:44 PM	#9
Bama Slamma diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	I want to build something relatively inexpensive that can run off a 12-0-12V 50VA transformer I have lying around. I already have a small chassis that I can put it in. The transformer is an EI type. Any special considerations for that?

17th February 2007, 10:31 PM	#10
eclectic2k diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silicon Valley	sounds like the Hagerman bugle or the circuit that Jim posted a link to would be good. I think the only consideration for the transformer would be a little extra attention to shielding or keeping it a bit further from the preamp circuit. - but that's good practice anyway. Unless you go crazy on expensive op-amps, you should be able to build this for pretty cheap. You already have the most expensive parts ;-)

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