Old phono pre- amp amplifier Vs modern separate phono pre- amps

[stevebro]

Hi guys,
Would it make sense to purchase an old pre-amp that has two phono outputs and upgrade the caps etc that are in the signal path or buy a dedicated phone pre-amp that can take to inputs for mm?

Pre- amp I have in mind is the Nicco TRM 500/600/700 series that would feed a Dynaco St70 valve amp and also a marantz pm 6004 amp & cd player by beens of a speaker selector switch.

Answer and recommendations would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[rayma]

A separate, more recent phono preamp would likely be better, but the cost to refurbish the Nikko phono stage
would be so little that you might as well try it first anyway.

 

[adason]

I used to have full sets of nikko separates. Very good stuff. Dedicated preamp was clean sounding, its phono section was far more complex than what i expected. All discrete.
Not familiar with trm 500. If its integrated amp with phono section based on two opamps, forget it, its garbage.

 

[stevebro]

Thanks for your info much appreciated. I think I need some more feedback to truly evaluate this dilemma

Regards

Steve

 

[adason]

Go with ear834 phono kit from ebay, the one board with power supply section included. No hum.

 

[rayma]

It's discrete, two stages plus buffer. There are 5 capacitors per channel in the Nikko phono to replace,
so not too bad. There are switches and pots to clean also.

Nikko TRM-500 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Manual | HiFi Engine

 

[adason]

Not too shaby then. You may as well restore old nikko. I would use audio grade (crossover designed) bipolar caps in signal path.

 

[rayma]

https://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/products/pdfs/e-ues.pdf