New Phono Pre-amp!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Although I'm in the market for a dedicated 2-Channel setup, I am still tweaking around with my present system and trying to improve the sound.

In recent months I've upgraded my cartridge to a Grado Refrence Platinum, replaced the belt and had it looked over and adjusted by my dealer when installing the cartridge. Barring a few instances when my tracking force and anti-skate delivered some issues, my turntable is now back to its wonderful and reliable condition.

So last week I came upon a Phono Pre-amp from a company called Tonar International B.V. They're based in The Netherlands and I tried getting some info to no avail. Their site is under construction and the only reference I could find was here. I decided to take the jump and bought it. I know, it was impulsive to do so, but for $113 U.S. or $150 CDN (bought from a local dealer) I didn't think it was too much of a big deal.

My initial impressions are good to very good. I listened to it for the first time last night by playing 3 of my fave LP's and ones that I know inside-out. Ricky Lee Jones' self-titled debut, Jazz At The Pawnshop Volume 1 and PF's Dark Side Of The Moon. I am not the best person to describe the tonal qualities of a recording with audiophile vernacular, but I can say it opened up a whole new world so to speak. These LP's sound much more open and less muddled. There is a tightness and quickness to them on almost every instrument and soft background harmonies are now really apparent. This was especially noticable on the Ricky Lee Jones LP. The piano on Jazz At The Pawnshop is much more open and lingering once the last note is played. On DSOTM I heard things I haven't heard in years, but I also think this LP has more things going on than any LP I've ever heard. It was an absolutely fantastic night and I'm looking forward to spending several hours more in the next few days, as I'm off til Sunday.

Bottom line, from my first impressions, get yourself a Phono Pre-amp. I don't know how I ever did without it! The results are astounding!

[richteer]

Congrats on your new purchase--you have many hours of listening fun ahead while you contemplate your big upgrade later this year!

Seems we have overlapping musical tastes: I also have Ricky Lee Jones' eponymous LP and DSotM, and Jazz at the Pawnshop is on my "to acquire" list. :-)

[dobyblue]

I will be looking into a phono amp probably sometime this April when I get my next 1/4-ly bonus.

From what I can research these are the specs on the TX-SR805's phono input:

Sensitivity & Impedance: 2.5mV / 50k ohms
Phono Overload: 120mV RMS at 1.000 Hz. 0.08% THD
Frequency Response: 20 to 30,000 Hz, +/-1 dB
RIAA Deviation: 20 to 20,000 Hz, +/-0.8dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 80 dB (IHF A, 5 mV input)


I was looking at the following:

Rega Fono Mini
Input sensitivity = 2mV for 200mV output
Input loading = 47KW in parallel with 100pF
Maximum input level = 65mV@1KHz
Minimum output load impedance = 10k Ohm
Power requirements = 24VAC @ 27.5mA
Frequency response (50KW load) = 15Hz (-3dB) to 100KHz (-0.5dB)
RIAA accuracy (50KW load) = +/-0.5dB 40Hz to 100Khz

Parasound zPhono
Input Sensitivity: 0.15 mV - 2 v
Input Impedance: 47 k ohms
Input Overload, MM: 220 mV, 1 kHz
RIAA Accuracy: 0.25 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: 75 dB, ref. 5 mV input
Power Requirement: 120 V/60 Hz, 5W
Dimensions: 9.5" wide, 2" tall (with feet) 9.25" deep
Weight: 3 lb.

Cambridge Azur 640p
Nominal output: 300 mV
Gain @ 1kHz: 39 dB / 55 dB
Sensitivity for nominal output: 3.35 mV / 0.5 mV
THD 20 Hz - 20 kHz: <0.007%
RIAA curve accuracy: <+/-0.3 dB 20 Hz-50 kHz (subsonic filter off)
Signal to Noise Ratio: >85 dB / 82 dB using Audio Precision RIAA-1 with grounded inputs
Crosstalk @ 20kHz: >76 dB / 72 dB
Maximum Power Consumption: 5W
Dimensions: 8.5" wide, 1.8" high, 5.2" deep
Weight: 2 lbs.

Vincent Audio PHOIII
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Output voltage: 200 mV / 1 kHz
Total harmonic distortion: <0.0005 % max.
Input sensitivity: MM I & II, 4 mV/1 kHz; MC, 0.45 mV/1 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: MM I & II, >88 dB; MC, >78 dB
Input Impedance: MM I, 47 k Ohm / 100 pF; MM II, 47 k Ohm / 300 pF; MC, 100 Ohm / 100 pF
Dimensions (W x H x D): 5.7" wide, 2.1" high, 5" deep
Weight: 1.1 lbs.

Music Hall PA-1.2
Gain: MM 40 dB; MC 60 dB
Input Sensitivity: MM 5 mV / 1 kHz; MC 0.45 mV / 1 kHz
Input Impedance MM 47K ohms / 120 pF; MC 100 ohms / 120 pF
Output Voltage: Typically MM / MC 300 mV @ 1 kHz - 3 mV / 0.3 mV
Total Harmonic Distortion: MM <0.01; MC <0.05%
RIAA Curve Accuracy: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.5 dB
Signal to noise Ratio: MM -86 dB; MC -68 dB (-94 dB / -75 dB – A weighted)
Output voltage: 15 V / 300 mA AC
Dimensions: 4.2" wide, 2" high, 6" deep
Weight: 2 lbs


They're all between $145~$179 but I can get an open box zPhono for $119.

Any thoughts?

[Johnny Vinyl]

I think since the ones you're looking at are at relatively similar pricepoints, I'd pick up the zPhono for $119. I can't imagine there being a huge difference between any of them, but I could be wrong. Maybe one is considered such a bargain and stands above the others. I don't know, so I can't honestly say.

Mine is a brand I never even heard of and I'm very happy so far. I do hope to find out more about this company though once their website is completed.

If you want a more definative answer, Richteer is probably the guy you wanna talk to. He's helped me out on a few occasions regarding my present turntable and my future turntable.

[dobyblue]

Is it a TT upgrade you're hoping to do later this year? What are you leaning towards?

The zPhono seems to have lots of good things written about it, but I'd probably have to jump on that one before April which I'm trying desperately not to do as I just spend US$62 ordering the 45rpm 180g LP's of Master of Puppets and Kill 'Em All direct from Warner's store.

[Gremal]

A bit beyond your budget, but this is the ultimate...

Hand wired zero feedback phono stage with six low noise triode tubes. Sensitive and quiet, it is capable of handling even very low output moving coil cartridges. Two inputs may be selected from the front panel, one MC, and the other MM (or optional second MC); thus, multiple phono sources may be handled. A completely separate power transformer and filter circuitry are dedicated to the phono stage, eliminating any disturbance of the delicate phono signal by the powerful line stage.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Is it a TT upgrade you're hoping to do later this year? What are you leaning towards?

The zPhono seems to have lots of good things written about it, but I'd probably have to jump on that one before April which I'm trying desperately not to do as I just spend US$62 ordering the 45rpm 180g LP's of Master of Puppets and Kill 'Em All direct from Warner's store.

I'm leaning towards either a VPI Aries 3 or a Project RPM 10, but there are others in the equation as well. My real dream is to get an Oracle Delphi V, but that is out of my league at the moment.

I have a thread I started back in November and I hope to return to it shortly to either announce a final decision (LOL) or to ask more questions. There is a table I saw that I want some opinions on, but I'm not there yet. Need to do some more digging.

I'm waiting for some vinyl as well. I ordered PF: Echoes from amazon.co.uk and it should get here in a week maybe 2. I had ordered it around Xmas.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Gremal

A bit beyond your budget, but this is the ultimate...

Bad link...but yeah, probably out of my league!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Never mind.....good link now!

[Gremal]

It's essentially the same phono stage built into the integrated amp I'm using. I just get to avoid an extra set of interconnects as it's all in one chassis.

I wish I could help you with the ones you're considering but I haven't heard those.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by John72953

I'm leaning towards either a VPI Aries 3 or a Project RPM 10

Like, zoinks Scoob!!
I will have to stop by sometime once you're up and running!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Like, zoinks Scoob!!
I will have to stop by sometime once you're up and running!

Deal! The actual purchase is probably going to happen in the second half of this year (need to save, save, save!), but you are most definately invited.

[guitarist155]

i have read really good things about this one http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/Yaqin_MS-12B.html I intend to pick it up after a few other things on my wish list, gonna be a while though

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by guitarist155

i have read really good things about this one http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/Yaqin_MS-12B.html I intend to pick it up after a few other things on my wish list, gonna be a while though

Sweet! Looks like about $500-$550 CDN, plus shipping, plus possibly import duties and taxes. Now we might be up to $600-$650CDN. A little too rich for my blood and setup.

[guitarist155]

it's not too bad from here

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MS-12B-Stereo-Tube-Preamplifier-and-Phono-Stage_W0QQitemZ140293473891QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_2?hash=item140293473891&_trksid=p3286 .c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1| 240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

they are mainly sold on ebay anyway.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by guitarist155

it's not too bad from here

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MS-12B-Stereo-Tube-Preamplifier-and-Phono-Stage_W0QQitemZ140293473891QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_2?hash=item140293473891&_trksid=p3286 .c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1| 240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

they are mainly sold on ebay anyway.

That's much better for sure.......nice head-ups!

[guitarist155]

Originally Posted by Gremal

A bit beyond your budget, but this is the ultimate...

I would love one of those but that costs almost the same as the car I'm saving to get stupid transportation system, if only there was a train

[CasualKiller]

Was looking at picking one of these up:

http://grantfidelity.com/site/P307

[richteer]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

They're all between $145~$179 but I can get an open box zPhono for $119.

Any thoughts?

As others have said, at this price range you'll probably get similar results from all of your options. The Parasound zPhono has a great rep, so that $120 open-box special sounds like a great deal. Snap it up now while you can!

[richteer]

Originally Posted by John72953

If you want a more definative answer, Richteer is probably the guy you wanna talk to. He's helped me out on a few occasions regarding my present turntable and my future turntable.

*Blush*

Thanks for the compliment, John! The phono stage I currently covet, the Audio Research Phono 7, is what I'd go for if I had the cash--but it's way beyond the budget Dobyblue is asking about! :-)