Need help on a good preamp

TH113769

To go with a Pro-ject debut carbon record player. Thank in advance for any advice!

marjen

You looking for a phono pre? If so check out the bugle2. Great unit, I have one paired with my uturn orbit and it sounds great.

http://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopify.com/products/bugle2

TH113769

Yes - a phono preamp. Thanks for the advice!

juddboz80

Are u looking for a tube pre amp??

TH113769

doesn't have to be a tube preamp

ldent42

I can't be the only person who read this as prenup instead of preamp.

oftenreading

ldent42 said:

I can't be the only person who read this as prenup instead of preamp.

Ha! Was in fact just going to post something along those lines.... Can't help with a prenup, though. Or a preamp, come to think about it. I'm pretty much useless here.

PH20

Why not stick to the same brand. Pro-ject makes a number of highly regarded phono-pre's from $100-$500. They even have a couple super high-end ones.

How much you looking to spend?

TH113769

looking to spend under $300

lolobugg

Bellari makes a really nice tube preamp in that range.
Just make sure to change out the factory tube.

joberschlake

What kind off after market tube would you recommend?

lolobugg

joberschlake said:

What kind off after market tube would you recommend?

I am trying to think of the one I have in mine...... damn... getting old sucks.
I think I run with a Mullard NOS... but I have also used JJ Electronics and RCAs.
I also hear that Telefunken sounds good in that unit but have never used them.

I will get back to you once I get home to confirm it.
It is super quiet though and has a very warm sound.

MT132914

I have an old Akai AA-1200 from the late 70's to go with my project turntable, just started using it 2 weeks ago after my partners Dad brought it around. That combo through Bose 901 speakers has my basement rockin'.

callen

MT132914 said:

I have an old Akai AA-1200 from the late 70's to go with my project turntable, just started using it 2 weeks ago after my partners Dad brought it around. That combo through Bose 901 speakers has my basement rockin'.

Bose 901's!!! Ahhhhh always wanted a set. Memories. Still sell them?

MT132914

callen said:

MT132914 said:

I have an old Akai AA-1200 from the late 70's to go with my project turntable, just started using it 2 weeks ago after my partners Dad brought it around. That combo through Bose 901 speakers has my basement rockin'.

Bose 901's!!! Ahhhhh always wanted a set. Memories. Still sell them?

yeap, still about $2000 too. I got mine from the father in law, and a friend found as pair on the curb as someone was moving and obviously didn't want to lug them to the new place, quite the score as there is nothing wrong with them either, he just had to track down an equaliser for them.

callen

MT132914 said:

callen said:

MT132914 said:

I have an old Akai AA-1200 from the late 70's to go with my project turntable, just started using it 2 weeks ago after my partners Dad brought it around. That combo through Bose 901 speakers has my basement rockin'.

Bose 901's!!! Ahhhhh always wanted a set. Memories. Still sell them?

yeap, still about $2000 too. I got mine from the father in law, and a friend found as pair on the curb as someone was moving and obviously didn't want to lug them to the new place, quite the score as there is nothing wrong with them either, he just had to track down an equaliser for them.

Sweet.

As to preamp always just had amp with built in phono input. Much difference?

MT132914

callen said:

MT132914 said:

callen said:

MT132914 said:

I have an old Akai AA-1200 from the late 70's to go with my project turntable, just started using it 2 weeks ago after my partners Dad brought it around. That combo through Bose 901 speakers has my basement rockin'.

Bose 901's!!! Ahhhhh always wanted a set. Memories. Still sell them?

yeap, still about $2000 too. I got mine from the father in law, and a friend found as pair on the curb as someone was moving and obviously didn't want to lug them to the new place, quite the score as there is nothing wrong with them either, he just had to track down an equaliser for them.

Sweet.

As to preamp always just had amp with built in phono input. Much difference?

actually the Akai is technically a receiver, with both preamp and amp in one unit...I had no idea there was a diiference so I looked a few things up and found this
PRE-AMP.
From the Source Component (cd/dvd player, tuner, turntable,tape recorder,satellite ect.) the signal is sent to the Pre-Amp.The Pre-Amp is a component responsible for volume adjustment,input switching(choosing the Source Component you wish to use) ,tone control and balance adjustment and a gain stage.The Pre-Amp is the heart of the system and is more important than the Amp.Because the signal it passes is so small,any distortions it introduces are then amplified again by the main Amplifier.The best Pre-Amps have no tone and balance controls or filters,just a volume control. and source selection.This keeps the signal from degrading too much as it travels through less stages.These are usually more expensive than standard Pre-Amps.You pay more for less !

POWER AMPLIFIER (AMP.)

After the signal leaves the Pre-Amp,it arrives at the Power Amplifier (Amp.) Its job is to increase the small electrical signal it receives from the Pre-Amp.to a larger signal that will move the speakers back and forth with control and accuracy ,while not introducing any noise or distortions to the musical signal it receives from the Pre-Amp.It must amplify the full bandwidth of 10 octaves with complete linearity.It must not shift phase at any frequency and it must not amplify any harmnics more than others .

RECEIVER.

A Receiver is a component that has a Pre-Amp section, A Power Amplifier section and a Radio Tuner section all in the one unit. A Home Theater Receiver has a Pre-Amp/Processor section a Tuner section and 5 or more Power Amplifier sections all in the one unit.The greatest comprimise in a Receiver is the use of a single power supply for all three sections (preamp,power amp, and tuner) The needs of the power amp section affect the preamp section,which degrades the sound. A Receiver does not have discrete components otherwise it would have three power supplies for each component. That is why they are called "sections." Because of having only one power supply, each section can use part of another section when needed.This keeps the cost of Receivers fairly inexpensive.But degrades the sound for the trade off.

PH20

If you're looking new and at a $300 budget....this one is just a bit over...$350 It is a Pro-Ject.


And this one is just a bit under...$230 Musical Fidelity is a rock solid audiophile brand.


You can find both at audioadvisor.com and search phono preamp.

PH20

If you go used, of course, you can get more bang for the buck.

truant

i read prenup too. aint got nuthin man...

rw160510

If you can stretch to it I recommend getting the acrylic platter for the debut carbon. I found that mine was generating loads of static and the felt stock mat was less than useless. Anyway it's a good turntable but the platter upgrade has made a massive difference.

callen

MT, Thanks for info. Well written and understandable.

RW: always just used the rubber mat(for decades!) and never had problem. Don't get felt but still don't see how that can affect/cause static.