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Martin888's picture
Submitted By: Martin888
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Joined: May 5 2007
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Looking for a suitable Phono Preamp for an SME - opinions, PoV???
Posted: May 5, 2007 - 1:48am

My first post.
After years of being reasonably happy with CDs, I decided on my recent sabbatical it was high time to get a turntable. And build an LP collection to go with it...
The decision was made on a mountain, about 5,000 metres up, in Nepal, on the way to the tibetan border...
Hohenrausch may have had something to do with the decision...

The turntable of choice looks like being the SME model 20, with series V tonearm, and a Lyra Skala cartridge. my Amplifier is the EAR V20, tannoy D700 speakers with the extra supertweeters. the SME I think is a little over the top with this combination, but I've had the system 6 or 7 years now and I will do a major upgrade over the next 5 years, so it should fit. however, the EAR is a triode ampflier and... my upgrade will almost certainly be EAR products, again tubes. I have really developed a liking for Tim de Paravicinis products and philosophy.
So, I now need a phono preamp.
would anyone out there like to share an opinion, a point of view, a recommendation, a gem of knowledge???

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Yiangos's picture
Submitted By: Yiangos
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Location: Cyprus
Joined: Sep 7 2005
Posts:
#1
Re: Looking for a suitable Phono Preamp for an SME - opinions, P
Posted: May 5, 2007 - 10:47am

Hello Martin888 and welcome to the forum.Since you like Tim's products,why don't you go for the 864 or 324 phono stage? If you feel the Lyra is a bit "bright" for your tastes,go for the tube based 864.If you feel you want a little bit more "bite" from your turntable,go for the 324 which btw is one of the best phono stages around.

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Martin888's picture
Submitted By: Martin888
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Joined: May 5 2007
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#2
Re: Looking for a suitable Phono Preamp for an SME - opinions, P
Posted: May 6, 2007 - 6:12am

Hi,
and thanks.
I'd more or less decided on the 324, and it's nice to get this confirmed by someone else.
I didn't know about the 864 though, probably because it's so new. I've decided against a tube phono preamp, because my amplifier is already quite warm. 20 12AX7 working together.... And the upgrade will almost certainly be EAR monoblock power amps.
I had a look at the Musical Fidelity kw Phono Preamp also. But this one was not so convincing. I think it only had the XLR connections, and not the RCA, so I would have to run an adaptor.
In any case, everyone who has heard one says wonderful things about the 324.
I'm still open though, I still likely have a few months to make up my mind, since we're still looking for an apartment after our trip...

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Yiangos's picture
Submitted By: Yiangos
member
Location: Cyprus
Joined: Sep 7 2005
Posts:
#3
Re: Looking for a suitable Phono Preamp for an SME - opinions, P
Posted: May 7, 2007 - 1:28am

Hi again
I believe you got it all wrong regarding the MF phono stage.
MF use only RCAs.They never got any XLRs or "balanced" imputs or outputs on theur equipment. BTW,i own a E.A.R. 324
and yes,it is a great phono stage.Go for it !!

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Monty's picture
Submitted By: Monty
member
Joined: Sep 16 2005
Posts:
#4
Re: Looking for a suitable Phono Preamp for an SME - opinions, P
Posted: May 7, 2007 - 1:25pm

You have an amplifier that uses 20 12AX7 tubes? What in the world is it?

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Martin888's picture
Submitted By: Martin888
member
Joined: May 5 2007
Posts:
#5
Re: Looking for a suitable Phono Preamp for an SME - opinions, P
Posted: May 10, 2007 - 8:09am

Actually it's 30 tubes.
10 input.
20 output.
if I remember correctly.
it's an E.A.R. V20

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