I am looking to pick up a phono preamp for a MM cartridge table. I have a budget of 350$ or so. Silver color prefered I guess. Not a dealbreaker though.

So far I am looking at a Graham Slee communicator. Any other suggestions? I'll probably end up buying online if that factors into rcommendations at all.


Thanks!

I have a project tubebox SE-II that I really like. I have read good thngs about graham slee as well over at Vinyl Engine. I have bought from needle doctor and lp gear but that was before our dollar went to the crapper. Check out canuck audio mart lots of good deals on there. I like to the tubebox that way I can change tubes with one I get off ebay to alter the sound of the playback. There is a tube box S on Canuckaudiomart for 265.
Cambridge phone pre is also very popular.

I've got a cambridge audio 640p. however, it seems that there is a newer option available, the 651p.

http://www.spearitsound.com/Phono_Preamps-Cambridge_Audio_651P.html


I'm quite happy with the 640 that i have. I've had it for a couple of years now.

See I told you that Cambridge is popular , even dakkon has one.

For a relatively simple component such as a phono preamp, especially for a moving magnet cartridge, there appears to be no good reason to pay around that budget figure(much less the $10,000 some units run). Consider a reasonably-priced one such as this .

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll probably give Cambridge a shot. Price is right.

I was originally into the cambridge, but reviews of the slee were great. But 350 before tax and shipping will land me over 400 easy.

John, I did a little digging and it seems the TCC unit is affected by radio frequency interference. I'm not sure it would happen in my case, but airing on the side of caution suggests letting that deal go by. Thanks for the suggestion.

With the 640p, there are quite a few DIY upgrades on the internet. The same very well could be true for the 651. Depending on your comfort level with component soldering, it would be yet another hobby. i haven't moded my 640p yet.. But, likely will in the not too terribly distant future, once i get all the projects around the house caught up...


When i was in the market Cambridge seemed to be a very good value, which is why i went that route. Good luck, and let us know what you get and what you think of it when it arrives.

Serenity

What turntable and cartridge combination are you using. ?

Cartridge is Audiotecnica AT120E in a mitsubishi DP-EC20 Table. Budget setup that sounded great. Till I bought a new integrated without built in phono......

Picked up a used 640P. Cant wait till it gets here.

Got a 180gm double Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream Album I'm dying to spin again.

I look forward to hearing how you like it. I can guarantee it will be hands and feet above anything you would get built into an AVR or what you would buy for $49 .

Richard

Finally got my speaker wire delivered and the table is back up. So far the 640p is performing like a champ. Spinning a new album, future islands, singles. Sounds great! Thanks for the input guys. Weeeee!