Advise on Phono preamp

MartinLogan Audio Owners Forum

Help Support MartinLogan Audio Owners Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

jolen1aub

Active member
Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Location
Fremont, CA.
Just wanted to hear from ML owners who still listen to vinyls, what Phono preamp/ cartridge/line preamp you use that gives good result (better than CDs?).

I just completed assembling/aligning my LP12 with Ittok LVII/ Grado gold (got the right tools and meticuluosly followed Linns intructions, even build my own jig).
I have a SF line 2 SE pre. mated with MC402 amp/ Ascent . The phono preamp I currently am using is the AES PH-1 tube phono preamp. It sounds okay but doesn't seem to have enough umph (gain). I wish it could be more warmer.
PH-1 gain is 36dB when other phono preamps I read on Audiogon are somewhere in the 40dB's or higher. I am aware that gain has to match the type of cartridge you use. But in this case I feel strongly that a gain of 36dB is kind of on the low side. :)

I noticed that when palying CDs I can play moderately loud with my preamp set at 65 but have to crank it to 75 when palying vinyls. Any suggestion would greatly help. :D

Joel
 
I have enjoyed an Audio Research PH3SE for several years, 1st with a Sonic Frontiers SFL2 preamp and now with an Audio Research LS25II. The PH3 has been replaced by the PH5 and I have seen these very reasonably priced on Audiogon. Should have plenty of gain (I use a Koetsu) for all but the lowest output MC.
 
I should be able to give you a comparison in a few weeks. I know this may not be what you wanted to hear. I bought the NAD PP2 Phono Preamp and the day I went to get it my needle/cartridge decided to die. I have decided on getting a Grado Prestige Gold but I have to wait for my tax return. :(

If you are still interested I will let you know

Jeff
 
75% Vinyl 25% Digital

jolen1aub said:
Just wanted to hear from ML owners who still listen to vinyls, what Phono preamp/ cartridge/line preamp you use that gives good result (better than CDs?).

I just completed assembling/aligning my LP12 with Ittok LVII/ Grado gold (got the right tools and meticuluosly followed Linns intructions, even build my own jig).
I have a SF line 2 SE pre. mated with MC402 amp/ Ascent . The phono preamp I currently am using is the AES PH-1 tube phono preamp. It sounds okay but doesn't seem to have enough umph (gain). I wish it could be more warmer.
PH-1 gain is 36dB when other phono preamps I read on Audiogon are somewhere in the 40dB's or higher. I am aware that gain has to match the type of cartridge you use. But in this case I feel strongly that a gain of 36dB is kind of on the low side. :)

I noticed that when palying CDs I can play moderately loud with my preamp set at 65 but have to crank it to 75 when palying vinyls. Any suggestion would greatly help. :D

Joel

I use a TAD-150 which I feel is competitive with more expensive units, fed by an LP-12/Ittok with a Talisman S low output MC. I find the gain to be adequate though I too run my volume control up above 3:00 o'clock at normal to high listening levels. The benefit to this is that the higher the volume control is run the less it effects the sound of the system, generally, I don't care where the VC is when I listen. On some albums, typically cut none too hot, I'll max out the control for realistic crescendos on large scale symphonic works, so be it.
 
Last edited:
upstairs i have a lp-12 with an ittok arm, connected to a quad-44 preamp (in turn into Mac tubes and then esl-57). the cartridge is seen by sacriledge by some, it's a shure v-15.

the sound is pretty darn good, no surface noise and great midrange (although i credit the esl and the mac tubes for that). it's as equal to the CD player i have attached which provides lots of boom and lots of "tish" but is hardly as musical.


downstairs i run an oracle delphi mk III with a sme IV arm and koetsu rosewood. done by the father, just after his eye surgery about a decade or so ago ;)

that feeds into a meitner PA-6 pre-amp which i use for just the phono section. (in turn into the bryston sp1.7, meitner mono-block amps and then CLS).

the sound is pretty darn good, but i can't quite get the soundstage to where it has been, and i blame the arm setup for that. i need to play with the VTA some.

it's no secret that i like the sound of meitner electronics. there is whack of punch to the table, but without losing any detail on guitar fingerwork or warmth to female vocals.

i've heard a lot of people talk about using old pre-amps for just their phone section. there are a few companies taking old tube pres (scott, eico, fisher) and rebuilding them for their phono sections.

myself, i'd be inclined toward an old CJ pre if i were to replace the meitner.

cheers
 
Lehman

Hi there,

I'm still using a pretty basic Rega cartridge (scheduled for upgrade soon!).

For the phono stage I use the Lehman Audio Black Cube SE. This is a 2-box stage built in Germany, and gives the best sound I've heard short of the Trichord Delphini. And with the price of the Trichord, there really wasn't that much difficulty in choosing the Lehman.

Cheers,

David
 
Dances with phono preamps

There are so many potential factors accounting for the “problem” you describe. I’ll note some that have not been mentioned so far:
1. Cartridge alignment is a difficult and tedious process with minute differences making a potentially profound sonic difference. Tools, jigs and protractors certainly assist the process, but the final “tuning” is best accomplished by ear. Search forums on the alignment process generally, your arm, and cartridge, specifically, and arm/cartridge Each of these can constitute separate domain. Maddening!
2. Record thickness varies and this can also be an issue if the thickness of the record you used is different from most you listen to. 180-200 gm lps are thicker than 140 gm (I think this is the standard). This effectively changes the cartridge alignment. If you arm adjustments are difficult to accomplish and easily replicate, as most are, well… I know several vinyl lovers who have gone to two table/arm combos.
3. I notice you don’t list what type of cables go from your AES PH-1 to your preamp. If you are a cable, agnostic, a non-issue. If you are a cable “believer,” another maddening universe of opinions and auditions awaits. I just switched to AU 24 between my Benz Lukasheck and tube pre and the difference between these cables and two others, one cheaper, the other slightly more expensive, led me to settle on these. The differences between all 3 were readily apparent with the difference between the cheapest and 2 more expensive, sadly, easily detected in my blind testing. Then, unfortunately, there is the issue of the cables from the arm to the AES PH-1.
4. Sonic isolation of your AES PH-1. Tubes are susceptible to micro-vibrations. Tube dampers and isolation platforms may help with this. More searches, etc. Mapleshade is my preference for platforms and I will be ordering their brass tube dampers soon. Pierre Sprey of Mapleshade, 301-627-7922, will be more than willing to talk to you about this, and he knows about cartridge/arm issues, too.
5. It sounds like your AES PH-1 was used. New tubes or tube rolling might help. More and more forums await.
6. Grado makes a phono pre. Theirs might be a better synergistic match for the ‘umph” and warmth you seek. You can probably call them, or, at least, some of the dealers of this unit.
7. Type of cartridge is an issue for some with distinct preferences for moving magnet (Grado) or moving coil. Forums, forums, forums.
8. You might be used to cd sound and need to adjust to the more relaxed sound on vinyl. Try to get a good quality cd and a good quality LP of the same recording of music you like. What do you like about each? I recently compared the Verve CD reissue of Bill Evans at the Montreaux Jazz Festival with the Classic Records LP reissue -- sonically quite different on my system, and neither was bad.
9. Are we having fun, yet?
 
Linn Linto

Hi
I got back into vinyl about 6 months ago, when I bought a used LP12/Ittok. I have fitted a Ortofon Kontrapunkt C (MC) cartridge. I have had a Linn Linto on loan about 2 weeks, and I have decided to buy it!.

This rig so vastly outperforms my Theta Miles CD player that it is incredible. I know the Miles is a few years old, but the LP sound I get is well beyond anything I have heard on CD, including very expensive Linn, Burmeister and Krell gear. It communicates in a different way. A more expensive phonostage such as the EAR mentioned may be even better, but the Linto is good enough to bring you well past what CD can do.

On the gain side, my Miles give more gain than the Linto to the preamp, even though the Linto is 64 DB. 36 DB sounds pretty low for a MC cartridge. (Or is the Grado MM?)

Getting back into vinyl has been a really positive experience for me, it just grabs me in a different way than CD. With your LP set-up and a phono preamp matching your cartridge you should get similar results. And running this through a pair of Logans does not hurt either...

Svein
 
Thank you co-members for all your feedback. Special thanks to Rouvin for extensively laying out a large chunk of variables to consider with my dilema.

What I stumbled on was a "micro-vibration" problem. I forgot to mention a minor detail that I use a Salamander S40 cabinet which is where I situate my PH-1. One evening, out of desperation I move the PH-1 out of the cabinet and placed it on the concrete floor. The result was night and day! The sound from my TT/Grado gold came to life with authority, tempo, clarity and soundstage. :) I could not beleive my ears...... to the extent of revelation by just merely placing the phono amp on a stable (vibration free) environment.

This indicated that the cabinet (although looks good & sturdy...) did produced micro-vibrations caused by cabinet resonance itself. I will experiment further to determine which part of the cabinet is mostly the culprit (doors, wood panels, wooden shelfs...etc.) Why not just get another rack or table you might ask (Adona rack)? Had this rack for over 6 years playing CDs without any problem until last month when I decided to get a serious TT and resurrect my vinyls. I plan to keep this rack and do what's necessary to make it work ( Dampers, weights, isolators, chopping board, ..etc). :rolleyes:

I'm also consisdering replacing the Philips JAN6SL7WGTs with RCA 5691(Red or Black base) for better performance especially in the microphonic area.
;)
 
You might want to look at your interconnects and the connection from turntable to phono preamp. That tube rolling idea is a good one too.

I just picked up a Cardas Neutral Reference "Phono" interconnect from "The Cable Company" and it's made a huge difference across the board.
 
kach22i said:
You might want to look at your interconnects and the connection from turntable to phono preamp. That tube rolling idea is a good one too.

I just picked up a Cardas Neutral Reference "Phono" interconnect from "The Cable Company" and it's made a huge difference across the board.


Kach,

Thanks for the suggestion. I may try the cables next....
 
Jeff Zaret said:
I should be able to give you a comparison in a few weeks. I know this may not be what you wanted to hear. I bought the NAD PP2 Phono Preamp and the day I went to get it my needle/cartridge decided to die. I have decided on getting a Grado Prestige Gold but I have to wait for my tax return. :(

If you are still interested I will let you know
Jeff

Jeff,

Sorry about your cartridge/needle. BUT yes I would appreciate to hear what you find out with the Grado Prestige Gold. In particular, the volume setting comparison between phono and CD. :eek:

Joel
 
Gain and bad vibrations

Jolen,
I was thinking about the difference in the volume setting between your CD and Phono. Although there are several potential reasons for this, I'm not sure they are of that much consequence. Unless the higher setting for the phono is either in an area thta your preamp has higher distortion for some reason (not too likely with a good pre) or has to be so high that the gain setting means that your pre is running out of headroom (also unlikely), you will just have to get used to setting the volume at a different level for each. Some separates, like tuners, may have a gain setting that allows you to more or less match the output to that of another component, but this is rarely the case with a phono. Generally, the more gain settings there are, the more the sound is compromised by more electronics in the path.
On the step up, I'm glad that moving it to the floor made a difference. I had my tube amp on a slab floor and thought that this would provide a mass that would make it impervcious from vibrations. Then I talked to Pierre Sprey of Mapleshade who persuaded me that this might not be the case. I ordered one of his 4" thick maple stands with umtimate triplepoint cones and some othetr composite footers, and ....well, it made a distinct and more than noticeable difference, particularly in the bass (and across the board) of my Quest z's, tightening it considerably and reducing the discontinuities between the panels and woofers. His stuff is returnable, so it seems a safe try.
The Linn tables, btw, are notorious for their susceptibility to vibration and might benefit from some isolation. Different models, and there are many, have different problems in this area, so some forum searching might also yield some improvement there, too.
Good luck,
Rouvin
 
On the step up, I'm glad that moving it to the floor made a difference. I had my tube amp on a slab floor and thought that this would provide a mass that would make it impervcious from vibrations. Then I talked to Pierre Sprey of Mapleshade who persuaded me that this might not be the case. I ordered one of his 4" thick maple stands with umtimate triplepoint cones and some othetr composite footers, and ....well, it made a distinct and more than noticeable difference, particularly in the bass (and across the board) of my Quest z's, tightening it considerably and reducing the discontinuities between the panels and woofers. His stuff is returnable, so it seems a safe try.
The Linn tables, btw, are notorious for their susceptibility to vibration and might benefit from some isolation. Different models, and there are many, have different problems in this area, so some forum searching might also yield some improvement there, too.
Good luck,

Rouvin,

You've given another good idea to try with my shelfs.. I've done some research on the web and the consensus coincides with yours.
I will try this with tube rolling and cable swapping.

Micro-vibration is the main issue here (tube dampers don't work here) and the mapleshade board idea might just do the trick. My LP12 has the trampoline which seem to be doing its job. But who knows somewhere along the trial chain I may find that its not. Not too concern with volume settings at this point.
Thanks for the help.. :)


Joel
 
Joel,
I finally got some money and bought the Grado Prestige Gold. I have only played about 6 albums so far but what I have noticed is that it is extremely quiet and has a natural sound. It appears I have more bass which is amazing on some of the older albums. ;)

As far as the NAD phono preamp, it appears to be functioning and there are no adjustments. Unfortunatly, I have nothing to compare this with now but I would have to guess that it is at the very least as good as the phono section of the Rotel preamp I had or I would have heard a difference as far as "worse" is concerned.

I have a Conrad Johnson preamp and the NAD and this is a completely different "animal" than the Rotel. The sound is warm, open and very life- like. It would have been nice to have gotten the phono preamp in the CJ but at the time and money I had it was not a possibility.

I also had my TT "serviced" at the same place I bought the cartridge and this too I am sure helped. :D

Comments, Questions, Concerns?


Jeff
 
Jeff Zaret said:
Joel,
I finally got some money and bought the Grado Prestige Gold. I have only played about 6 albums so far but what I have noticed is that it is extremely quiet and has a natural sound. It appears I have more bass which is amazing on some of the older albums. ;)

As far as the NAD phono preamp, it appears to be functioning and there are no adjustments. Unfortunatly, I have nothing to compare this with now but I would have to guess that it is at the very least as good as the phono section of the Rotel preamp I had or I would have heard a difference as far as "worse" is concerned.

I have a Conrad Johnson preamp and the NAD and this is a completely different "animal" than the Rotel. The sound is warm, open and very life- like. It would have been nice to have gotten the phono preamp in the CJ but at the time and money I had it was not a possibility.

I also had my TT "serviced" at the same place I bought the cartridge and this too I am sure helped. :D

Comments, Questions, Concerns?


Jeff

Jeff,

Glad to hear that you finally got your Grado installed and listening to vinyls.
You mentioned "more bass".... Just out of curiousity, may I asked what model of MLs do you use? Consider youself lucky to have a trusty-experienced TT dealer that did the work for you.

I don't have any Linn dealer close by where I live (Bay Area) that's why I had to opt to performing my own assembly and set-up of a used LP12 I purchased on the net 2 months ago. Plus I liked the challenge and relaxing fun in doing the meticulous process... :D

But thank you very much for sharing your experience on this thread... :)

Joel
 
jolen1aub said:
Jeff,

Glad to hear that you finally got your Grado installed and listening to vinyls.
You mentioned "more bass".... Just out of curiousity, may I asked what model of MLs do you use? Consider youself lucky to have a trusty-experienced TT dealer that did the work for you.

I don't have any Linn dealer close by where I live (Bay Area) that's why I had to opt to performing my own assembly and set-up of a used LP12 I purchased on the net 2 months ago. Plus I liked the challenge and relaxing fun in doing the meticulous process... :D

But thank you very much for sharing your experience on this thread... :)

Joel


I believe the The Analog Room in San Jose is former Linn Dealer. If you run into any problems, they can offer expert level set-up help. Plus, you owe it yourself to pay them a visit. They have around 20 tables set-up in demo systems.
 
why don't you try some wood blocks or similar...

Hola chicos. Jeff had tried some wood blocks and he did like them...as some of you might remember, my laptop was burgled and all the wood's info. that I had was there, and as most of us, no back-up! Yes, I do know!..but I'm still in the research and believe me, it works!!! The tweak cost nothing to start and what I always do is "trust in my ears" ...and this is not mambo-jambo...if you want to learn about resonances...visit www.vansevers.com and this person will teach you how to get rid of the bad resonances! very simple.
Try this: get two logs of at least 2" X 3" X 12" of pine wood, this is very easy to get wood in any warehouse store. Place these logs under your amplifier, in a such way that the wood only touches the chassis, not any rubber feet, just the steel of the chassis. Don't place them too close to te center of the amplifier, it is better at the edges sides.. Please, report me your findings, I'm making a new file with all the information (now with back-up!!!) regarding the wood and it's natural resonance, and the most important, whay it does to my room and my sound system. I have had re-do the room and system and the sound that I'm getting now is so pleasant that I'm listening all my records and my music again...
boy! it is a lot of fun for your ears, there are so many different sounds and scenarios...you can adjust many room set-ups...specially for those who like transparency...and size of the instruments at the stage.
When I listen to LPs, I have to spend many time on digital to get used to its sound...if you want to enjoy your digital, stop listening analog...
Happy listening, trust your ears!!!
Roberto.
 
jjqiv said:
I believe the The Analog Room in San Jose is former Linn Dealer. If you run into any problems, they can offer expert level set-up help. Plus, you owe it yourself to pay them a visit. They have around 20 tables set-up in demo systems.


jjqiv,

Wow! Thanks for this info. I will pay them a visit very soon.
They are just 20 miles away... Appreciate the help...I'll be feasting my eyes and ears once again.. :D

Roberto,

thanks for the additional feedback.. I beleive I have 2 major issues that causes my resonance problem. My 6SL7WGT tubes are old and may have gotten worse in microphonics. And 2nd my salamander cabinets generates micro-vibrations. I will have to address them one at a time....will be trying your's and other's suggestions from this thread..... :)

I will post my findings once I've tried these several approach.. :eek:
 

Latest posts

Back
Top