PM7200 Phono Stage?

Hi,

I've just ordered a brand new Michel Tecnodec, and I was just wondering whether it would be worth me investing in a seperate phono stage. I have a Marantz PM7200, does anyone have a considered opinion about the in built phono stage on this amp, a quick google seemed to imply that it was good. I would not have a big budget for a Phono stage, about £100-150.

Cheers,
Morb666

http://www.morbius.co.uk

 

I don't think £100-150 would make a significant improvement over the in-built stage.

 

I don't have a considered opinion on the stage in the amp but I'd have thought £100-150 would give you vast improvements over the built in phono stage as thats about 50% the cost of the amp. Especially if you buy used. Michel ISO perhaps?

 

morb,

I would absolutely definately reccomend you try an outboard phono stage at the top end of your budget. Perhaps a graham slee.

Inbuilt phono stages vary from perfectly good to downright shocking... and you just never know!

I wouldnt reccomend taking anyone's word on this one, and would definately try an off board phono stage - it will show you if you are missing anything.

below you have a trichord dino (£250) rega phono, and new graham slee phono stages. Most shops will agree to sale or return on second hand goods aswell as new if you ask nicely IME.. and as long as you offer to pay for their p&p

http://www.emporiumhifi.com/Pages/ModernPages/Turntables.html

 

Thanks for the repies, I have seen the "Graham Slee" name mentioned quite a bit so I might check that out. I think I'll have a little look on Ebay as well to see what I can get for my money.

 

yeah the graham slee stuff is superb and well worth checking out

 

If you're using MM get a Slee. If you're planning to go MC, then you're struggling a bit, the Trichord at £250 is pretty good, but a little dull when I've heard, mind I was comparing it to a stage that retails at £600.....
The phono Tube-box might come in on budget, or the new Cambridge at £40 MM or £60 MM/MC has attracted a lot of attention. That might be a cheap way of seeing whether a dedicated phono stage is for you.

 

It is a MM cartridge (supplied fitted to the deck from Vickers in York). A Pickering XV15 1800S, MM Cartridge, Output 4.4mv, Load 47k 275pf.

 

Get yourself a Slee Gram amp 2 then. There's a seller on ebay who does them for £125. They're fantastic. As good as stuff 3 or 4 times as expensive. The next thing up from that is the Loricraft, and that starts at about £600. That one punches it's weight and then some too. It had the Whest for breakfast when we compared them.
You won't regret it!

 

Hi,

Do you know the name of the seller on Ebay who does them for £125? The cheapest I can find is £149.

....also, is it worth the extra money to get the "special edition" rather than the standard Gram Amp 2? it costs about £60 more.

Cheers,

 

They may well have gone up then, it's a while since I bought one to be fair. I'm not sure what else the SE does apart from have a fancier case, perhaps someone else knows?

 

morb, did you read the link I posted?????

emporium are advertising them at £125. Thats a shop aswell, so you have a physical place to call/take it back to if you have warranty problems.

 

That Emporium website is awful...but I'm sure that has no bearing on the quality of their service. I can't find the prices for the Graham Slee products and no mention of how much delivery would be, I'll try and give them a call at lunchtime.

Lordsummit, I agree that the SE version just looks like it's in a nicer case so I think the standard issue is the one to go for.

Thanks again

 

morb, you just pick turntables as an option, and there is a list of all things vinyl related along with the prices.

cheers
chris

 

The ebay shop is Analogue seduction - based in Peterborough.

 

Give Nick at the Emporium a call...one of the most helpful guys I've come across,and a real music lover...the site is a bit of a shambles,but the service is superb.

He also sells a good bit of Trichord gear,and if you should wish,will let you demo them at home...I settled on a Dino,and upgraded the PSU to a Never-Connected one which makes a huge difference.