Which MM Phono amp for a passive pre ?

Any suggestions for a phono stage to partner a passive pre, I have tried a number from a cheap Project, sounded distant and constrained, to a EAR which was much better but a little rolled off in the top end. I like the tube sound and run SET300b`s, but its the match with the passive TVC pre that I need pointers to.
tia
Tony

 

I coudn't say whether or not it matches as such (if you could say the issues...) unless you mean output impedance but I have no complaints whatsoever with a Linn Linto into a MF TVC

 

Thanks for the quick reply, It`s the audio/sound quality match i`m interested in not the electrical match. It`s impossible to try them all but up to say £500, new or preferably used a phono stage that has a good output and that sonicaly works particually well with a TVC passive.

 

I recently changed and although I like valves I prefer solid state phonos(of the ones I have heard to date).Iused a Whest with a passive very good but pricey but recently settled on a Dynavector DP75 .Does all I want and can be adjusted to accomodate other cartridges.

 

Hi

You need a phono preamp with an output stage that will drive a TVC properly- with an output impedance as low as possible (Below about 2K, I think) Two such valve devices are the Ear 834p and DIYhifi supply Cole, which has a passive EQ circuit. The latter has an output impedance of 600 ohms and the Ear is in a similar ballpark. With solid state stages, there is usually nothing to worry about but with valve ones, there are less to choose from that work well with a tvc.

 

Had the EAR 834p on test recently and cant say I liked it , my WAD kit phono was excellent but has never been used with a TVC so dont know if it would drive a tvc

 

Thanks for the info, as I said I currently have the EAR on loan but am also underwhelmed by it, in my set up, which is all odd gear, it sounds a little dull and a bit boomy, maybe some tweaking is required but I have decided that its not for me, so am looking to see whats on offer.
Regards
Tony

 

I felt the ear834 was a bit well flabby not particularly accurate and bass was boomy,certainly in my system the wad kit was a better all rounder. I tried the Lehmann Black cube really liked it ,but the Dynavector played very much like the Whest but at a lot less money.You can also look second hand to see whats out there quite a lot to choose from its just getting a chance to listen to it.

 

My choice a while back (7 years or so) was between the Black Cube and the EAR 834P. The EAR was hopeless (and I also found out what a total nob end Tim de Paravicini is..) I can thoroughly recommend the Black Cube. For the money it's great. Good enough in fact, that I didn't bother with any more dem'ing.

 

For a value for money phono stage look no further than the Graham Slee gram-amp series you can even talk to him regarding compatability I am using the 2Se version and in knocks the spots off any others for price and performance.

 

a leftfield suggestion, try the cambridge audio £60 640P, laughable i know, but it's currently taking my cd player to the cleaners and it's only been running for 2 hours since new.

http://audioenz.co.nz/2005/cambridge_640p.shtml

beat the GS GA3 in my neighbours set up

and ran it close on tnt.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/3_phono_preamps_e.html

 

GRAM SLEE OR TOM EVANS - tried both with tvc and work very well

 

My graham slee era gold V is on sale for £280, if anyone's interested.

(excuse the blameless slug) :SWMBO:


...I mean shameful plug.

 

Thanks Larkrise, Its the compatability with the TVC that i`m looking for, using the EAR the sound is sightly dull and a little boomy so its poor at the extremes, whilst my CD a modded Alpha 5+ sounds very tight, dynamic and detailed. So for the TVC and the SET 300b amps any more reccomendations for a compatable phono stage ?

Regards
Tony

 

Baudrillard, is your Graham Slee the intro version or the full fat version with the seperate PSU1 power supply ?

Also did the Minimax sell ?

 

Hi.

Its the full, PSU1 £480 version bought new from Walrus. The Minimax is sold, pending payment.

 

I currently use an 834p into a tvc/300b setup. The 834 sound can be altered a fair bit just by trying different valves- some are warm and soft, some clean and sharp, for example. I use sovtec 12AX7LPS which are a nice improvement on the cheapo valves mine came with. Mine also has the volume control- I replaced the crappy pot with a dact a long time ago, that opened up the sound quite a lot. The EAR has no trouble driving my tvc, but yes the EAR's basic sound presentation is on the warm cuddly side.

Having said all that, I have just recieved the WD phono3 kit (also bought the pre3), so hopefully will be able to give you my views in a week or two when I have built it. (still waiting for the instructions to be finished- probably monday I was told- and also the stepups for MC)

 

If you want to think about the output and input impedance issue you could take a look at http://www.whirlwindusa.com/tech03.html

 

Baudrillard, thanks for the detail, I will consider that. Will pm later.

Dik, Interesting, the WD 3 kit is one i`ve been considering having listened to a WAD 2 phono kit which sounded excellent. Wether I can wait that long I dont know

It is the match with the TVC that is my main concern, when you look at opinions and reviews on most products up to £500 you can always find a good review of all the main phono stages, especially when VFM is added to the conclusion from the £60 Cambridge to the EAR and all in between, so if I can get the match correct it might have the edge. Fingers crossed. As a friend of mine always says " the best ingredients but you still have to bake the cake"

Regards
Tony

 

Thanks Steve, does this mean anything http://www.promitheusaudio.com/tvcfaq.htm

I understand the water/hose analagy but its effect on the sound is not so clear. Maybe a closer look at ss may be in order.

Regards
Tony