|   Decent Phono Preamp - Under $250? | winegasman
Nov 10, 2003 4:56 PM | | I just bought my first tube equipment -- a Cayin TA-30 integrated tube amp. It has no phono stage, so now I need one. The Cayin dealer says I should go with a tubed phono preamp -- he recommends Antique Sound Lab Mini Phono in my price range. Another audio guy I like says that it isn't necessary to have a tube stage here and that a solid state unit like the Creek OBH-8 will do fine; he thinks that a tube phono preamp into a tubed integrated amp will warm up the vinyl sound too much. I have a Thorens TD-320 with a new Ortofon Super OM20. Does anyone have any advice on the best phono preamp (within my budget) for this pleasant problem? Thanks. |
| My friend get the Little Rat and save money-you will thank me... | RGA
Nov 10, 2003 8:03 PM | | Frankly I think you're overspending. You certainly don't need the ASL, and the Creek is good but not one bit better that the Little Rat.
I can't believe I'm saying it but I have one as it was recommended to me on AudioAsylum.
The Little rat is supposedly the giant killer of the phono world. It runs on a 9v battery and is said to be:
The Little Rat is afectionately called this because it is made and sold by Radio Shack(yes I know but it does actually sound good). Cost $29.99 plus the battery.
The "Little Rat" is BETTER than the NAD PP1 stand alone phono stage. AFAIK, "Rat Shack" is still selling the "Little Rat". "Surf" over to R/S Online and order catalog # 97-1018
Check out all the talk on the Audio Asylum about it...
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=vinyl&n=141311&highlight=little+rat&r=&session=
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=vinyl&n=96822&highlight=little+rat&r=&session=
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=vinyl&n=105461&highlight=little+rat&r=&session=
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=vinyl&n=84606&highlight=little+rat&r=&session=
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=vinyl&n=86044&highlight=little+rat&r=&session=
The reviews go on. It's not the last word in phono amps...but then neither is the creek and ASL. The $225.00 can be put in the back and used when you make a more significant upgrade to componants that matter a lot more - like speakers. |
| re: Decent Phono Preamp - Under $250? | Mr Peabody
Nov 10, 2003 9:48 PM | | My previous phono stage was the Creek OBH-8. It is awesome, a giant killer. It's a pure class A phono stage. When I wanted to upgrade I had a hard time finding more expensive preamps to sound better. I ended up taking a big step up to the Acoustech PH-1p. But I was amazed at how well the Creek held it's own against more expensive units. You can get the OBH-8 from www.amusicdirect.com for around $180. and if you decide you don't like it, you can return it. The sound of the OBH-8 is very musical, I think it would blend well with your system. I had a difficult time finding phono stages in stores around town, let alone one to audition, but if you have better luck, bring some home and hear it in your system. Even if you find one or two, order the OBH-8 and compare, keep the one you like best. |
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