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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Styx Cover Band on March 20, 2009, 12:55:27 PM

Title: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Styx Cover Band on March 20, 2009, 12:55:27 PM

My crappy AT PL-50 turntable with a built in preamp recently died so I am looking at getting a Pro Ject Debut III or a Rega P1 turntable (leaning towards the Debut III as it's $50 cheaper). My home theater reciever, Onkyo TX-SR606, does not have a phono input so I'm looking for a decent Phone Pre Amp for ~$150. I've heard good things about the  Parasound Zphono (http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=14948), but that is at the top of my budget. Are there any other decent Phono pre's in this price range (preferable under)?

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Tim on March 20, 2009, 01:02:00 PM

Cambridge Audio 540p ~$80-100
Cambridge Audio 640p ~$160

I have the 540 (Nick->Mac->Me) and it sounds nice to me but I'm a vinyl newbie. The 640 is pretty well regarded and is supposed to be a very nice improvement over the 540 but I've never heard it. Either are easy to find online.

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: terrapinj on March 20, 2009, 02:14:51 PM

ive got the Cambridge 540p as well and have no complaints at all

i paid $89 shipped for it from Spearit sound

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Tim on March 20, 2009, 07:13:18 PM

2 bearded tapers can't be wrong. I say go for the 540.

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: nickgregory on March 20, 2009, 10:03:34 PM

Quote from: Tim on March 20, 2009, 07:13:18 PM

2 bearded tapers can't be wrong.

not a bad rule of thumb

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on March 20, 2009, 10:33:29 PM

Quote from: Tim on March 20, 2009, 07:13:18 PM

2 bearded tapers can't be wrong. I say go for the 540.

Have you been taping Tim?

I've heard a lot of good things about the Cambridge preamps. I might pick one up soon, as well.

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Tim on March 21, 2009, 01:14:16 AM

Quote from: nickgregory on March 20, 2009, 10:03:34 PM

not a bad rule of thumb

That's what I'm thinking.

Mike, I taped Saturday of Phish. I think if I run a rig twice a year I can still claim to be an actual "taper." ;)

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Styx Cover Band on March 21, 2009, 04:36:45 PM

Quote from: Tim on March 20, 2009, 07:13:18 PM

2 bearded tapers can't be wrong. I say go for the 540.

I'm going with the 540 thanks for the input guys. Should I get higher grade cables to use with the 540?

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: Nick's Picks on March 22, 2009, 09:09:30 AM

Hydra cables, of course !
:)

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: noahbickart on March 22, 2009, 11:00:49 AM

you might also check out the NAD:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAPP2

-Noah

Title: Re: Looking For A Good Phono Pre Amp for $150-ish
Post by: som on March 24, 2009, 02:16:28 PM

Sounds like you've made up your mind, but I'll throw in my two cents anyway.....

I had the NAD and lived with it for several years. Switched to the Cambridge 640 and it was like lifting a blanket off of the stereo. MUCH better detail and resolution. I don't anticipate replacing the Cambridge any time soon. I haven't heard the 540, so can't comment on it vs. the 640. Both come up on Audiogon all the time but sell quickly (there's a bunch there now).

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1241108406&/Cambridge-Audio-Azur-640P-neve

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1242591092&/Cambridge-Audio-540P-Phono-Pre