Can someone recommend a good budget phono preamp ?
I would like to keep it around $50 if possible.
I remember back in the day when a Heathtkit phono preamp stage was about the best sounding around and it only basically consisted of an IC and a few outboard components to tighten up the RIAA curve..... aside from the preamp stage
Now, I'm really confused about what to get.
I'm beginning to think that a lot of hype about expensive pono pre amps is just BS.
Help......🙂
I would like to keep it around $50 if possible.
I remember back in the day when a Heathtkit phono preamp stage was about the best sounding around and it only basically consisted of an IC and a few outboard components to tighten up the RIAA curve..... aside from the preamp stage
Now, I'm really confused about what to get.
I'm beginning to think that a lot of hype about expensive pono pre amps is just BS.
Help......🙂
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It looks promising.......
I see it has a rumble filter which is what I want also .
However, it does not publish any specs on the RIAA curve adherence
I see it has a rumble filter which is what I want also .
However, it does not publish any specs on the RIAA curve adherence
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I wound up ordering an "ART DJ pre II"
As it tuns out, the Freq response spec does reflect the RIAA curve..
Thanks Jeff 🙂
As it tuns out, the Freq response spec does reflect the RIAA curve..
Thanks Jeff 🙂
The "DJ Pre II" is working out very well for me.
It has great,. clear natural tonal balance with features I want........adjustable gain, rumble filter, and switchable impedance input.
However, no on/off switch but, that will be addressed.
I do plan on replacing the PS that came with it though.
It has great,. clear natural tonal balance with features I want........adjustable gain, rumble filter, and switchable impedance input.
However, no on/off switch but, that will be addressed.
I do plan on replacing the PS that came with it though.
Are you interested in DIY? If so, one could build this for about $50:
Hagerman Technology LLC: Bugle Opamp Moving Magnet Budget Phonostage DIY Kit
It's been a well received kit, if you google around. It's been around for quite a while so there's plenty of good reading out there.
You can initially run it on two 9V's and upgrade the PS later if desired (the main reason being for convenience, because it sounds pretty good on batteries). I've used one with the power supply mentioned on the Hagtech page for years. Unfortunately I don't think that the PS board/kit is available from him anymore. It's a 15V bipolar supply, though, and I bet this one from Twisted Pear would be even better than what I'm using:
Placid HD Bipolar Power Supply
There is a newer all-in-one kit from Hagtech (all parts, PS, case), but it's a little pricier. I've read good things about it here on the boards and I believe the RIAA/gain portion to be identical to the older design (the new Bugle 2 just integrating the PS instead of running on batteries).
I'm currently working on a Boozhound JFET phono pre:
JFET Phono/RIAA Preamplifier kit – Boozhound Laboratories
You can find my build and thoughts here. This one is a bit costlier, but still fairly budget conscious. My build will end up around $200, half of which I'm spending on a premium enclosure and power supply. It could be done for considerably less. Very different build than the Bugle, but results have been promising for me so far.
Good luck on your hunt!
Hagerman Technology LLC: Bugle Opamp Moving Magnet Budget Phonostage DIY Kit
It's been a well received kit, if you google around. It's been around for quite a while so there's plenty of good reading out there.
You can initially run it on two 9V's and upgrade the PS later if desired (the main reason being for convenience, because it sounds pretty good on batteries). I've used one with the power supply mentioned on the Hagtech page for years. Unfortunately I don't think that the PS board/kit is available from him anymore. It's a 15V bipolar supply, though, and I bet this one from Twisted Pear would be even better than what I'm using:
Placid HD Bipolar Power Supply
There is a newer all-in-one kit from Hagtech (all parts, PS, case), but it's a little pricier. I've read good things about it here on the boards and I believe the RIAA/gain portion to be identical to the older design (the new Bugle 2 just integrating the PS instead of running on batteries).
I'm currently working on a Boozhound JFET phono pre:
JFET Phono/RIAA Preamplifier kit – Boozhound Laboratories
You can find my build and thoughts here. This one is a bit costlier, but still fairly budget conscious. My build will end up around $200, half of which I'm spending on a premium enclosure and power supply. It could be done for considerably less. Very different build than the Bugle, but results have been promising for me so far.
Good luck on your hunt!
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