Phono pre-amp discussion

Thought I should start up the phono pre amp discussion. What are people using, how do you like it, and why? I see the TC-750 getting some love, but oddly enough no mention of the Mani here on Schiits Best Audio Friends. Also, what is the Eddie Current phono pre I've seen kicking around?

 

We did a comparison of more than a few mdoels back on Chang.

http://static.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2449.0.html

 

I've got the EC Transcription, an out of production model that I like quite a lot. It replaced a Mani in my system, it has a better staging to my ears, and is a touch warmer. The Mani felt a bit too analytical for me.

 

I have a Seta Model L (http://www.channld.com/seta/) with the optional hardware RIAA. I use the flat outputs for my LP rips and regular RIAA output for listening. All balanced from cartridge to speaker. It works very well though I had to replace the batteries after 1 year which is way ahead of time.

The downside is that I feel the software RIAA is actually better then hardware! (at least in this case)

 

I have the EAR 834p and Bryston TF-1 step up transformer. I think it's good, though I did take my tt over to a friend's house and ran it through his Avid phono-pre and I liked that better, more detail and density. But it's better since I added the good SUT and there's some tube rolling in my future before I think about something else.

 

I'm of the opinion that one should use a tube phono stage with a turntable to get the best sound out of it. Solid state seems to kill the soundstage and is often analytical.

Schiit Mani: I'm not a fan. Sound is too thin and analytical.
TCC-750: better texture, but not very detailed. This changes drastically as you start to mod it, but as it's solid state, you still don't have the soundstage.
Eddie Current Transcription: Great texture, reasonably detailed. A decent all-arounder.

I'm currently using a Zestos Andros 1.2 and I'm getting lots of rich textures and detail with a fantastic soundstage. An absolutely fantastic performer.

 

Thanks OJ - this was very helpful. I am currently in the market for my first phono amp and this comparison helped define a couple of the contenders.

OJ - Do you still use the TC-750? Looks like its major flaws are the power supply (which can be upgraded) and a couple cheap output caps (which can also be upgraded).

 

I've actually replaced the TC750 with something else although I still have it sitting around for reference. The upgrades can be done for relatively cheap so try 'em out and enjoy your records

 

Is Donald North on this forum? We need to hear about his reference phono monos

 

Balanced or SE?

 

Using my Onkyo receiver.

 

Based on drfindleys advice on tube preamps (and my own affinity for burning my finger tips), I am leaning toward the bottlehead reduction. Hopefully this is a decent starter tube pre. The integration upgrade would likely have to wait, but should give me something to look forward to.

Anyone heard this?

 

I'm a big fan of sound clips so here are a few online phono shoot-outs that Fremer has done over the past few years:

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/u-turn-pluto-versus-schiit-mani-which-sounds-better
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/u-turn-pluto-versus-schiit-mani-votes-are (follow up)

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/which-mm-phono-preamp-sounds-best
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/four-phono-preamp-file-identities-revealed (follow up)

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/five-phono-preamplifiers-compared-you-be-judge
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/phono-preamplifier-voting-results-and-files-identified (follow up)

 

BTW it seems to me that the best modern designs use either a SUT or JFET/FET solid state gain stage into a tubed second (MM) gain stage with LCR RIAA. If I do change away from solid stage it will definitely be for this type of design as I think when it's done right ($$$ transformers, DHT, super awesome power etc...) it produces the best results.

 

While I've been kicking around ideas for a DIY phono, this is pretty much what I keep coming back to. Tubes for an initial gain stage are just too damn microphonic most of the time, or are crazy expensive NOS stuff.

 

I currently use a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II and a slightly modified Jolida JD9.

I think I prefer the Phonomena II to the Jolida; it has a cleaner background and seems more predictable of a sound. Sometimes I think the Jolida is on the muddy side with bass. In all cases I have found dedicated pre's to sound better than a receiver's built in pre. I also do not take for granted cart loading options and gain settings ~ they are a must in my opinion.

Trying to upgrade from the Jolida to something else but don't want to break the bank, also may be going deeper into mods with it if I can figure out what to do!

I tried out a Mani for about a day, a Lounge mk3 for a few weeks and my impression of both were "not bad" but I am glad to have spent more in the end.

 

That was all basically day one stuff! Noise floor is too darned high. I actually have some level 2-3ish recommendations from a friend that I need to decipher and try out next.