Phono preamp/stages question while I working on getting a cartridge

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MusicDirector

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So while I'm preparing to get a cartridge for my Denon DP-47f I'm wondering about Phono preamp /stage.
Here's what I have so far: The Denon DP47f will be hooked up to my daily driver system which has a Onkyo TX-SR705 AVR as the engine. Now the Phono stage on the Onkyo sounds like a factory. So instead I have a TCC TC750LC Phono Preamp/Stage that I use for Digitizing my Vinyl. I was thinking of using that for the Denon.
However, I also thought that perhaps I should keep it just for digitizing in case I do more.
Here's what I am wondering:
Taking into account the Onkyo AVR I'm wondering if getting another TCC Phono preamp/stage for the Denon or if there is something else inexpensive that would do better?
I'm also thinking about tubes. Eeeek! Actually, I wonder what a Phono preamp/stage with a tube in it would sound like or give me or if it would even work with a digital AVR? I'm also wondering if there is an inexpensive Tube phono preamp/stage?
My budget I'm thinking for Phono preamp/stages Tube or not would be around $30 to 150?

~Eric
 
MusicDirector said:
So while I'm preparing to get a cartridge for my Denon DP-47f I'm wondering about Phono preamp /stage.
Here's what I have so far: The Denon DP47f will be hooked up to my daily driver system which has a Onkyo TX-SR705 AVR as the engine. Now the Phono stage on the Onkyo sounds like a factory. So instead I have a TCC TC750LC Phono Preamp/Stage that I use for Digitizing my Vinyl. I was thinking of using that for the Denon.
However, I also thought that perhaps I should keep it just for digitizing in case I do more.
Here's what I am wondering:
Taking into account the Onkyo AVR I'm wondering if getting another TCC Phono preamp/stage for the Denon or if there is something else inexpensive that would do better?
I'm also thinking about tubes. Eeeek! Actually, I wonder what a Phono preamp/stage with a tube in it would sound like or give me or if it would even work with a digital AVR? I'm also wondering if there is an inexpensive Tube phono preamp/stage?
My budget I'm thinking for Phono preamp/stages Tube or not would be around $30 to 150?

~Eric
Click to expand...

Go with the $49 miracle.....PM me offline...:exciting:
 
Sorry, I can't buy from Audiogon. I don't feel comfortable in that place and do not trust their advice and such.
 
Mike said:
Cambridge Audio Azur 551P Phono Preamp, New with Full Warranty, Free Shipping | Phono | Florence, Massachusetts 01060 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

This appears to be new, and from a dealer.
Click to expand...

Hey Mike, not sure about the Parasound (we have not tested) but the $49 ART beats the Cambridge Audio hands down....Part of why its a miracle. We've tested it against the usual suspects in the several hundred dollar range and it holds its own quite well and in fact, beats the pants off most. High end audiophile ? LOL...No way...but in that under $250 weight class, it is a champ...

Currently testing against the
Music Fidelity VLPS
DB8
TC-750LC
Phonomena II (this one always comes out on top)
CA Azure 640P

With the exception of the Phonomena, it is matching or beating all....LOL

Phono stage for da little guy...:woot:
 
ohbythebay said:
Hey Mike, not sure about the Parasound (we have not tested) but the $49 ART beats the Cambridge Audio hands down....Part of why its a miracle. We've tested it against the usual suspects in the several hundred dollar range and it holds its own quite well and in fact, beats the pants off most. High end audiophile ? LOL...No way...but in that under $250 weight class, it is a champ...

Currently testing against the
Music Fidelity VLPS
DB8
TC-750LC
Phonomena II (this one always comes out on top)
CA Azure 640P

With the exception of the Phonomena, it is matching or beating all....LOL

Phono stage for da little guy...:woot:
Click to expand...

Very cool! Can you send me a link to the ART? I'm setting up my Dad's turntable and might get him one to try.
 
I have not looked up the test results against the TCC TC750LC yet, but it appears to be the same, exactly except for the size. (The ART is a little smaller). I'll look at the test results when I get the chance. Even if it is the same, I'd opt for it because the size will fit better in my cabinet. I'm also curious about tube Phono preamp/stages within my stated range, if any. First though, I'd like to know if a Tube phono preamp/stage would even work with my system and be worth looking at.
 
MusicDirector said:
I have not looked up the test results against the TCC TC750LC yet, but it appears to be the same, exactly except for the size. (The ART is a little smaller). I'll look at the test results when I get the chance. Even if it is the same, I'd opt for it because the size will fit better in my cabinet. I'm also curious about tube Phono preamp/stages within my stated range, if any. First though, I'd like to know if a Tube phono preamp/stage would even work with my system and be worth looking at.
Click to expand...

Definitely! Tube phono stages are my favorite. But, may have to increase your budget.
 
Mike said:
Definitely! Tube phono stages are my favorite. But, may have to increase your budget.
Click to expand...

If a Tube phono stage would work with my Digital AVR, I could stretch to $200 just because I've heard a little Tube phono stage before at a shop and was amazed at the warmth and sound of it and ever since I've been wanting to try one. Of course, it was an expensive stage and they just had it plugged into an amp, not a digital AVR, so that is a whole different animal. That's why I wonder if I would get a pleasant sound from using a tube phono stage with a digital AVR in the first place.
 
ohbythebay said:
You could go this route
YAQIN MS-22B MKII Phone Stage - Tube Phone Stage @ on9mart.com

But to be 100% safe, go with Amazon

Amazon.com: YAQIN MS22B 12AX7B X2 Stereo Tube Phono Stage: MP3 Players & Accessories
Click to expand...

Yes, Amazon is my friend.:) I'll put this one on the list to look at. I admit though that I don't know anything about Tube stuff and I don't know what is considered good or not. Since this one is untested and most reviews must be taken with a grain of salt and since I am the last person you want as a lab rat, I think it's best I wait to find out of there are tried and true ones in my range.
 
MusicDirector said:
Yes, Amazon is my friend.:) I'll put this one on the list to look at. I admit though that I don't know anything about Tube stuff and I don't know what is considered good or not. Since this one is untested and most reviews must be taken with a grain of salt and since I am the last person you want as a lab rat, I think it's best I wait to find out of there are tried and true ones in my range.
Click to expand...

Just so you know, owners on "the other board" like it very much. And with 12AX7 tubes, you can do some tube rolling (swap tube) down the road for different sounds.

Here is a cool chart but I can tell you about NOS tubes (new old stock) and how they sounds
12AX7 Comparison of Current Made Tubes | Antique Electronic Supply
 
ohbythebay said:
Just so you know, owners on "the other board" like it very much. And with 12AX7 tubes, you can do some tube rolling (swap tube) down the road for different sounds.

Here is a cool chart but I can tell you about NOS tubes (new old stock) and how they sounds
12AX7 Comparison of Current Made Tubes | Antique Electronic Supply
Click to expand...

I guess your changing the gain when you change tubes according to that chart? I guess that gives you different roll offs at different frequencies? I know nothing about all this. I'm not so sure about this unit. I don't trust "the other board". There is no support for it should something go south and I also don't see how I would hook this up to my receiver. Also, why are there cheap metal shields around the tubes? Tube glow is pretty. I'll keep looking and see what I can dig up and then ask about what I find here.
 
MusicDirector said:
I guess your changing the gain when you change tubes according to that chart? I guess that gives you different roll offs at different frequencies? I know nothing about all this. I'm not so sure about this unit. I don't trust "the other board". There is no support for it should something go south and I also don't see how I would hook this up to my receiver. Also, why are there cheap metal shields around the tubes? Tube glow is pretty. I'll keep looking and see what I can dig up and then ask about what I find here.
Click to expand...

Do a little research on 12AX7 type tube amps.

The hookup would be TT to the Yaqiin to the receiver as line level in (like aux, cd, etc.) not phono

Its not gain as much on the tube types and I probably should not have sent that chart - much of the match is new tubes as opposed to the older tubes.

a 12AX7 is the baseline, say 100%. If its a 5751, that's about 90% but the sound is very very good. An A or W on the end is very low microphonics (low noise) such as a 12AX7A or 12AX7WA (military grade).

Those cheap metal shields as you called them can be expensive. They are designed to keep any noise causing radio frequency interference from vacuum tubes in electronic circuits.

Hope this helps in the quest !!!
 
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