Topic: I'm thinking about a phono pre

[Sloan Simpson]

I'm definitely a playback n00b, and it's gonna take me forever to build up something decent, but I'm looking at taking the next step by picking up a budget phono preamp.  I'm running a Denon DP-755 table with an Inifinity Black Widow arm and AT 440MLa cart.  15 year old Technics receiver on the cheap end, and I'm using its internal phono section.  Don't really know what I'm looking for besides "better"   My understanding is that most any outboard phono pre should beat the internal?

The Bellari VP129 (~ $250) caught my untrained eye because of the tube.  Someone here recently mentioned the Cambridge Audio (~$170) also. 

Anyone want to comment on either of these, suggest something else in similar price range, tell me I'm all wrong and need to replace my speakers instead , anything?

[carlbeck]

Avoid the Bellari, I had one & the ground hum was unbearable. Supposedly it is fixed with the newer model but tech support was useless. Yep, I mentioned the Cambridge & feel for the money it can't be beat. I wouldn't waste my time with anything else.

With that being said I bet your internal pre is pretty decent if it was made in the heyday of vinyl. Maybe your receiver is a little too new but if it was an 70's vintage I would say you would be hard pressed to beat it without spending considerable money.

Also, sounds like you have a great deck. Both your arm & that cart are highly regarded. I would just make sure the cart isn't a little too much mass for the Black Widow, from what I remember the Widow needs a high compliance cart. Without getting too deep into mass vs. compliance you can check the website below & see how your arm & cart match up. Just play it & enjoy if this is a little too geeky for you 

http://www.cartridgedb.com/

[Sloan Simpson]

Now that I think back, the receiver is probably mid-90's era, so it probably just missed not having a phono section at all . ..

Mass and compliance I definitely don't understand yet  but is there something I'd hear wrong if the cart wasn't a good match for my arm?

Thanks for the advice