The $49 miracle phono stage

ohbythebay

ohbythebay

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Okay, laugh, scoff...don't blame but I have a $49 phono stage that pretty much blows away anything until you get to the $400 - $600 range. And I have had independent tests by others who are just as stunned.

It is the ART DJ Pre II - $49
ART Pro Audio

Before you laugh...check the specs...they are not kidding...this is a case where the specs tell the truth. But I can make it sound even better ...MUCH better.

The secret ? Spend $18 more for a rechargeable 12vdc battery and wall wart type end connector (barrel). On MM's it is incredible. On MC it is awesome if you use a SUT (Step Up transformer) to feed it.

I use an AT630 SUT to boost my AT OC9/III MC cartridge. Its a 1:15 step up. Then into the ART and it is pure joy. But without the SUT it makes MM carts sing. Proof ? Check the clips here
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=D25B243EF6E53584!133&authkey=!ABxDMm3-YV8zk_U

They take a minute or two to load so be patient...But here is the best part...this is not my Concept and OC9 MC cart...This is a $200 ATLP120 turntable and an AT440Ml/OCC cart (MM) and it sound phenom. Imagine how much better it sounds with my MC ?

So a $70 investment gets you into audiophile quality ..who'd a thunk it...One more thing...Look at the inside design...a lot going on...has gain setting and 100pf 200pf plus low pass filter

attachment.php
 
It looks interesting. Thanks for sharing. I wonder with the limited settings how hard it would be to match with a particular cartridge.
 
Hi Rob,
Yes, I came back. The ART looks like a nice affordable phono stage. I'm currently using a TCC TC-750LC phono stage also only $49, it does the job. If you are familar with the TCC, how does it compare to the ART. I'm interested in getting another phono stage as a spare or improvement perhaps for my Onkyo TXR-705 which has a terrible phono stage. I don't like MC carts so I don't worry about that. I am trying to hook up my Denon DP47-f to use on my main system and I wonder if the ART would be a better choice than the TC-750LC? I'll be using a MM cart by the way. I don't know what all this "loading" and battery and such is though.
 
Rob,

Thanks for helping us realize that there is a ton of value at the lower end of the scale. Sometimes we loose sight of that fact. I guess it's just like computers, as every generation gets better, the new high end moves up the low end. We all win.
 
MusicDirector said:
Hi Rob,
Yes, I came back. The ART looks like a nice affordable phono stage. I'm currently using a TCC TC-750LC phono stage also only $49, it does the job. If you are familar with the TCC, how does it compare to the ART. I'm interested in getting another phono stage as a spare or improvement perhaps for my Onkyo TXR-705 which has a terrible phono stage. I don't like MC carts so I don't worry about that. I am trying to hook up my Denon DP47-f to use on my main system and I wonder if the ART would be a better choice than the TC-750LC? I'll be using a MM cart by the way. I don't know what all this "loading" and battery and such is though.
Click to expand...

It is amazing...we have been running tests and needle drops on the other board. It all started when I discovered a little know spec on the ART site. It said
Power 7-12V DC or 9-12V AC @150mA

Well, it comes with a 9V wall wart and it sounds damn fine to begin with ...but when I saw 7-12vdc...Hmm..I have 12v rechargeable batteries..So I tried it,,,wow..opened that puppy up with much increased detail, clearer bass, wide soundstage (as per the clip I supplied)

So I shared it there and people who owned them tried it and found the same. Other bought them and freaked at what under $70 could do ..Blows away the Cambridge Audio's, Music Halls, etc... the typical mid-fi's..

So yes, get one...LOL

Here is my battery and cable
166002_641664815848984_1452957236_n.jpg
 
joeinid said:
Rob,

Thanks for helping us realize that there is a ton of value at the lower end of the scale. Sometimes we loose sight of that fact. I guess it's just like computers, as every generation gets better, the new high end moves up the low end. We all win.
Click to expand...

I have noticed this lately about audio gear. Marantz for instance has taken some stuff from their reference line and put it into their "lower" stuff, which really is not that low. This is the kind of stuff I just love, "value at lower end of scale" or best bang for buck.
 
joeinid said:
Rob,

Thanks for helping us realize that there is a ton of value at the lower end of the scale. Sometimes we loose sight of that fact. I guess it's just like computers, as every generation gets better, the new high end moves up the low end. We all win.
Click to expand...

Joe, thank you so much

So many of the folks I deal with would like to have the Phonomena II's and higher but its just too far out of reach. I tend to find the gold nuggets that cost like LOW FI but sound like HI FI...LOL

What's cool is how welcoming this site is and its not all about $2000 phono stages...its about enjoying the music !!!
 
ohbythebay said:
It is amazing...we have been running tests and needle drops on the other board. It all started when I discovered a little know spec on the ART site. It said
Power 7-12V DC or 9-12V AC @150mA

Well, it comes with a 9V wall wart and it sounds damn fine to begin with ...but when I saw 7-12vdc...Hmm..I have 12v rechargeable batteries..So I tried it,,,wow..opened that puppy up with much increased detail, clearer bass, wide soundstage (as per the clip I supplied)

So I shared it there and people who owned them tried it and found the same. Other bought them and freaked at what under $70 could do ..Blows away the Cambridge Audio's, Music Halls, etc... the typical mid-fi's..

So yes, get one...LOL

Here is my battery and cable
166002_641664815848984_1452957236_n.jpg
Click to expand...

Does the battery and cable come all ready to plug and play or do you have to build the cable and mod the battery and such? How long does the battery power last, 1 record, 2 records...?
 
ohbythebay said:
Joe, thank you so much

So many of the folks I deal with would like to have the Phonomena II's and higher but its just too far out of reach. I tend to find the gold nuggets that cost like LOW FI but sound like HI FI...LOL

What's cool is how welcoming this site is and its not all about $2000 phono stages...its about enjoying the music !!!
Click to expand...

Yes, most welcoming! I'm glad you post this stuff!!!!!!!:audiophile::woot:
 
MusicDirector said:
Does the battery and cable come all ready to plug and play or do you have to build the cable and mod the battery and such? How long does the battery power last, 1 record, 2 records...?
Click to expand...

That's the beauty of this...the battery will play for ...well..I don't know...at least 50 or 60 records before you need a recharge...AT LEAST...might be closer to 100

The battery looks like a small car battery and has two terminals. The charger goes to the two terminals to charge. The cable you make is SO easy.

Two wires. One end you connect to a used wall wart barrel plug that fits the ART (we all have some spares tucked away or buy one for 3 bucks at radio shack). The other end you put two terminal clips to clip to the battery.
That's it ..did you know you could even use one of those Black and Decker 12vdc drill batteries (though it wont last as long on a charge) . Same principle...+, - to +, -. Nothing could be easier. And it would make your TCC sound better ..just check the DC voltage in (Catman does this)

Go to this link and scroll down 1/2 a page..You can get the battery and charger for $17.97

Amazon.com: Rechargeable 12V 7AH Sealed Battery: Electronics

NOTE TO YOU HIGHER END GUYS
This process could work well also for your high end gear that uses a wall wart. Check your specks, contact me if you need help...But straight DC is always better than the wall warts which use switching power supplies that introduce noise...I am not techyon it but I understand ripple is a side effect also which you don't get with the DC power however; when the battery drains down, there will be higher impendence ...this will not be a problem though unless you really run it down

With a 7200ma battery drawing 150ma you could say conceivably 48 hours of play time but I would cut that in half and say 24...or about 32 albums
 
Mike,

Remember this is tailored for MM. So the 100pf and 200pf are okay. The unit is the standard RIAA 47k equalization however; you and I know sometimes you need lower on certain carts...this part throws me a bit because I know if you want to do this directly into a receiver phono stage, you can use Y-cables and resistor plugs to lower ...I am just not sure if you would do the same in the ART (Turntable to Y cable , one end to the ART, other to resistor plugs)...Would the ART force the 47k or would it work the same?

Hmmm....:P
 
MusicDirector said:
I have noticed this lately about audio gear. Marantz for instance has taken some stuff from their reference line and put it into their "lower" stuff, which really is not that low. This is the kind of stuff I just love, "value at lower end of scale" or best bang for buck.
Click to expand...

Eric, I love getting value for the dollar. You can find value even in some higher priced gear,but it takes a little more work to find it !!

I believe,big time, in the law of diminishing returns !!
 
ohbythebay said:
Joe, thank you so much

So many of the folks I deal with would like to have the Phonomena II's and higher but its just too far out of reach. I tend to find the gold nuggets that cost like LOW FI but sound like HI FI...LOL

What's cool is how welcoming this site is and its not all about $2000 phono stages...its about enjoying the music !!!
Click to expand...

Rob, I think you could find a gold needle in a haystack !!!! You're the best at finding great bargains. That was really smart to figure out you could use battery power on the phono pre. Thanks to Trung, I've heard how much battery power can help in audio components !
 
ohbythebay said:
That's the beauty of this...the battery will play for ...well..I don't know...at least 50 or 60 records before you need a recharge...AT LEAST...might be closer to 100

The battery looks like a small car battery and has two terminals. The charger goes to the two terminals to charge. The cable you make is SO easy.

Two wires. One end you connect to a used wall wart barrel plug that fits the ART (we all have some spares tucked away or buy one for 3 bucks at radio shack). The other end you put two terminal clips to clip to the battery.
That's it ..did you know you could even use one of those Black and Decker 12vdc drill batteries (though it wont last as long on a charge) . Same principle...+, - to +, -. Nothing could be easier. And it would make your TCC sound better ..just check the DC voltage in (Catman does this)

Go to this link and scroll down 1/2 a page..You can get the battery and charger for $17.97

Amazon.com: Rechargeable 12V 7AH Sealed Battery: Electronics

NOTE TO YOU HIGHER END GUYS
This process could work well also for your high end gear that uses a wall wart. Check your specks, contact me if you need help...But straight DC is always better than the wall warts which use switching power supplies that introduce noise...I am not techyon it but I understand ripple is a side effect also which you don't get with the DC power however; when the battery drains down, there will be higher impendence ...this will not be a problem though unless you really run it down

With a 7200ma battery drawing 150ma you could say conceivably 48 hours of play time but I would cut that in half and say 24...or about 32 albums
Click to expand...

That's pretty good, but I think I'll stick with the unit as stock if I get one. It's best I don't mess about with stuff. I figure it either works or it doesn't. I just want to listen to the music. Besides, I don't have room for a bunch of DC batteries powering stuff.
 
MDP said:
Eric, I love getting value for the dollar. You can find value even in some higher priced gear,but it takes a little more work to find it !!

I believe,big time, in the law of diminishing returns !!
Click to expand...

All I look at almost is the law of diminishing returns when looking at gear. I look at that far more than any specs or what have you. Kind of have to these days ya know.:)
 
I know !! Trust me, we've all been there. But, we still get to listen to music, and that's what this is all about !

I don't know if you or any of our other members have noticed, but our Music threads are by far the most popular, check out the number of posts. I think that says a lot about who we are as members !!
 
That looks great, I am looking for a Phono Pre-amp kit! if anyone has an idea about one. Or a schematic and parts list?

Thanks,
John.
 
Hi, Thanks..I have all MM carts so that would be the best one. I like the kit. Have a question: It shows 2 9v batteries? And the power supply is 15volts?

Also, this output plugs into the AUX on your receiver? So you are still using the circuit path in the amp or receiver.

John.
 
Last edited:
jleon92f said:
Hi, Thanks..I have all MM carts so that would be the best one. I like the kit. Have a question: It shows 2 9v batteries? And the power supply is 15volts?

Also, this output plugs into the AUX on your receiver? So you are still using the circuit path in the amp or receiver.

John.
Click to expand...

The two 9 volts is straight DC power (so no noise possible)
The 15v power supply is an AC power supply 120vac that converts to 15vac +/- switching which is less desirable. The ART uses the same scheme in that it could run on 12vdc or 9vac +/- If you measured the ART wall wart, you would see it measures +4.5 AC and -4.5 AC switching

Yes, it outputs to the AUX line level on your amp....

Truly, if you want a kit this is a good one...But we are doing independent tests, Bugle VS ARt on DC power.
 
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