Question about phono pre-amps...

[Steelmaker]

As I've been researching pre-amps I've discovered that much like with guitar amps, you can get tube amps or solid state amps. Are the tube based pre-amps that much superior? I was looking at this Bellari VP130 tube amp. Has anyone had any experience with this?

[Steelmaker]

Anybody have any experience with Vincent pre-amps? The reviews on this one seem pretty solid. It's priced at 299.99 which is more than I initially wanted to spend but reviews suggest that it's quality far surpasses the price. I might splurge if it really is that good. Has anyone dealt with these before? Does it's spec sheet look pretty solid?

Spec Sheet:

■Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
■T.H.D.: < 0.05 % (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
■Input Sensitivity: MM 58 mV; MC 6.8 mV
■S/N Ratio: MM > 83 dB; MC > 70 dB
■Input Impedance: MM 47 k Ohm; MC 100 Ohm
■Output Impedance: 250 Ohm
■Max. Voltage Output: 8 V (per channel)
■Amplifier Gain: MM 40 dB; MC 60 dB
■Power Consumption: 10 W
■Weight: 3.3 lbs (power supply); 2.6 lbs. (preamplifier)
■Dimensions: 4.5" wide, 2.3" high, 5.4" deep

[schan1269]

That Vincent has been the "darling" of $400 phono amps since it was new.

It has a construction quality on par with PA costing over $600.

And it sold well at $400. It only recently dropped when it started stalling in sales(everything reaches that point...).

By the way, these pop up on Audiogon for $200-$250 periodically. They disappear in hours...

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by schan1269

That Vincent has been the "darling" of $400 phono amps since it was new.

It has a construction quality on par with PA costing over $600.

And it sold well at $400. It only recently dropped when it started stalling in sales(everything reaches that point...).

By the way, these pop up on Audiogon for $200-$250 periodically. They disappear in hours...

Well they have a tube version now that sells at 499.99. However I simply CANNOT spend that much. I'm already on thin ice with the wife as it is at 299.99 LOL! Besides, with my current setup I doubt a tube pre amp would offer a huge difference anyway.

[schan1269]

The 700 is not "a version" of the 8.

The only thing similar is the outside PS. They share 1 part...

The on switch.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by schan1269

The 700 is not "a version" of the 8.

The only thing similar is the outside PS. They share 1 part...

The on switch.

Yes I get that. I just meant that Vincent offers another phono pre-amp in the 400-500.00 range that's a tube amp. I didn't mean to imply it was a "version" of the Phono-8.

[Johnny Vinyl]

DangeRuss has the Vincent Pho-8 and seems to like it.

To answer your question about a tube stage versus an SS stage and which is better........it's simply a matter of preference.

[schan1269]

Very true on SS vs tube.

I still use a Kenwood C2, just as a phono preamp(tape monitor to an AVR).

I've tried a few phono preamp...against the C2. The C2 is just plain...neutral.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

DangeRuss has the Vincent Pho-8 and seems to like it.

To answer your question about a tube stage versus an SS stage and which is better........it's simply a matter of preference.

Thanks! I believe the Vincent will be the one I go with. I order both it and the turntable tomorrow. I cannot wait!

[Steelmaker]

So I decided not to get the Vincent Pho-8 as I thought that at 299.99 it was too much money to spend on a pre-amp for my set up.

Instead I found a Cambridge 640p new on Ebay for 180.00. I found out the only difference between this model and the 651p (249.99) is the on/off switch. Since I'm hooking mine up to a power strip anyway I don't really care about that. I thought it was a good price for a pre-amp that gets a lot of positive reviews.

So I have a brand new Pro Ject Carbon DC (in red) on the way along with this pre-amp! I also purchased a copy of Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" to test it out with when it comes in! I haven't been this excited to received a product in a long long time! I feel like a kid!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Congrats my friend! Looking forward to reading your impressions about the new setup!

[Steelmaker]

Ha!! I just got an email from the company I bought the pre-amp from. They said they actually were out of the 640p amp and were going to ship me the newer 651p model at no additional cost! SCORE!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Ha!! I just got an email from the company I bought the pre-amp from. They said they actually were out of the 640p amp and were going to ship me the newer 651p model at no additional cost! SCORE!

Sweet! That kinda happened with me and my Dell PC. Bought an Core i5 and received a Core i7.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Sweet! That kinda happened with me and my Dell PC. Bought an Core i5 and received a Core i7.

At first they tried to be sneaky about it. They tried to coerce me into buying the upgraded model, saying "oh it's better because it comes with an on/off switch and it uses superior WIMA capacitors, etc." It was only after I declined that they came clean and said "wellllll, we actually don't carry that model anymore so we'll send you the newer model at no extra cost."

In most circumstances like that I would be pissed off and claim they were trying to make me the victim of a bait and switch tactic. However the deal was too sweet for me to refuse. I didn't want to rock the boat before I receive the product. I may do a nice little "follow up" email telling them how I really feel after I receive the product!

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Anybody have any experience with Vincent pre-amps? The reviews on this one seem pretty solid. It's priced at 299.99 which is more than I initially wanted to spend but reviews suggest that it's quality far surpasses the price. I might splurge if it really is that good. Has anyone dealt with these before? Does it's spec sheet look pretty solid?

Spec Sheet:

■Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
■T.H.D.: < 0.05 % (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
■Input Sensitivity: MM 58 mV; MC 6.8 mV
■S/N Ratio: MM > 83 dB; MC > 70 dB
■Input Impedance: MM 47 k Ohm; MC 100 Ohm
■Output Impedance: 250 Ohm
■Max. Voltage Output: 8 V (per channel)
■Amplifier Gain: MM 40 dB; MC 60 dB
■Power Consumption: 10 W
■Weight: 3.3 lbs (power supply); 2.6 lbs. (preamplifier)
■Dimensions: 4.5" wide, 2.3" high, 5.4" deep

[Show spoiler]

I own one and find it to be a great phono stage, easily besting costlier models .............

Here's mine in action ............

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

DangeRuss has the Vincent Pho-8 and seems to like it.

To answer your question about a tube stage versus an SS stage and which is better........it's simply a matter of preference.

Fellow member CrazDogg also has one and is quite fond of it

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Thanks! I believe the Vincent will be the one I go with. I order both it and the turntable tomorrow. I cannot wait!

You'll be a happy camper for sure ...........

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

So I decided not to get the Vincent Pho-8 as I thought that at 299.99 it was too much money to spend on a pre-amp for my set up.

Instead I found a Cambridge 640p new on Ebay for 180.00. I found out the only difference between this model and the 651p (249.99) is the on/off switch. Since I'm hooking mine up to a power strip anyway I don't really care about that. I thought it was a good price for a pre-amp that gets a lot of positive reviews.

There are several other differences as well (between the Cambridge and Vincent) though ........

So I have a brand new Pro Ject Carbon DC (in red) on the way along with this pre-amp! I also purchased a copy of Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" to test it out with when it comes in! I haven't been this excited to received a product in a long long time! I feel like a kid!

Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of vinyl

I wish I could've been of assistance earlier

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by DangeRuss

I wish I could've been of assistance earlier

Ha! It's OK. Ultimately I just felt that the Vincent was too much pre-amp for my other components. This will be going through a Sony AV receiver and 7" Polk Audio satellite speakers. So spending 300.00 for the pre-amp made no sense to me, considering I could upgrade my speakers or stylus and probably get more performance. Maybe down the road after I upgrade my components I'll re-visit the idea of owning the Vincent.

I think my next course of action will be a speaker upgrade to maybe some nice Klipsch desktops and after that I'll probably go from my Ortofon Red to the Blue as I hear the blue is a pretty significant jump in performance.

[DangeRuss]

Good Morning Steel!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Ha! It's OK. Ultimately I just felt that the Vincent was too much pre-amp for my other components. This will be going through a Sony AV receiver and 7" Polk Audio satellite speakers. So spending 300.00 for the pre-amp made no sense to me, considering I could upgrade my speakers or stylus and probably get more performance. Maybe down the road after I upgrade my components I'll re-visit the idea of owning the Vincent.

I think my next course of action will be a speaker upgrade to maybe some nice Klipsch desktops and after that I'll probably go from my Ortofon Red to the Blue as I hear the blue is a pretty significant jump in performance.

I fully understand your reasoning and you will be quite happy with the purchase you made

Have you ever thought about creating a gallery to show off your gear ?
I'd love to see what you're working with

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by DangeRuss

Good Morning Steel!!!!!!!!!

I fully understand your reasoning and you will be quite happy with the purchase you made

Have you ever thought about creating a gallery to show off your gear ?
I'd love to see what you're working with

I will as soon as all of it is delivered and I get it all installed. My turntable is supposed to be delivered Monday. I should see my pre-amp either today or tomrrow. I also ordered new speaker stands.

As for my speakers and receiver, this is what I'm currently using.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FG9V1I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDH520-Receiver-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B004NHCGJO/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436992072&s r=1-15&keywords=sony+AV+receiver

It's not terribly 'high end' equipment but as a home theater it's been fantastic. I've listened to plenty of music through my set up via CD and digital files and it all sounds very good to my untrained ears, so I fully expect to be happy with the way vinyl wil sound too. However I DO want to get better front speakers. I mean, part of the fun of getting into vinyl is the musical "journey" afterall. That quest for audio nirvana is what we all strive for! :-D