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May 20, 2007 - 1:30pm
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pre-ampflication basics. for a beginner with increasing knowledge...
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Don't have experience with the EAR products.
As for phono preamps, I have always used those integrated with the preamp, because I have used moving-magnet (MM) cartridges with outputs in the 3-5 millivolt range. I had also used an electret cartridge which was claimed to be full resistive and did not need any capacitance compensation to adjust its response, also in the same output range.
Moving coil (MC) cartridges need more gain, thus a pre-preamp, unless you get a high-output MC cartridge, although those outputs are at the bottom end of output of the MM type. My impression of the reviews is that MC sounds much better, but you pay more $$$ for it.
Hope others can provide more relevant comments.
A separate phono device gives you more choices in your taste in sound.
As for a dealer wanting to sell the products that they carry. First, they as a business must sell stuff to stay in business. Second, if they are a sincere audio store they will have chosen products that they believe are the best.
All phono cartridges require an amplifier and RIAA equalization. Generally a MC cartridge will have a lower output level and need more gain than a MM cartridge.
Still either one will need additional gain and equalization relative to a line level input.
Martin888,this is a difficult question.Usually,external phono stages benefit from the extra isolation (transormers etc)that exist in a pre-amplifier.Also,usually when a manufacturer makes a pre-amp with a built-in phono stage and the decides to produce the same phono stage as a stand alone unit,he/she fits better components in the stand alone unit but the only advantage i can think of without knowing exactly what the manufacturer did,is extra electrical and emi/rfi isolation. As for the 324,it is a great phono stage.
I am using a SME model 20.2 with series V arm and a Koetsu urushi or VDH Black Beauty cartridge.The 324 works perfectly with both cartridges although i believe it is more
in-tune with the Koetsu than the VDH. Back to your original question,it all depends what you own right now and what you want to have.If you have a good integrated or pre/power,all you need is a phono stage.If you are planning to get a new amp as well,the choices are not very broad.Unless you are willing to spend big bucks,you won't find many integrateds or pre amps with a better phono stage than the 324 and when you do,they won't be cheap.
However, standalone is also more expensive because you need an extra chassis, power transformer, etc. besides just the phono preamp circuits themselves.
You also add in an extra RCA cable to connect the two boxes, which can increase risk of EMI/RFI trouble, plus you are at greater risk of grounding problems.
I don't think it's a clear choice either way. It depends upon the circumstances.
Personally, I like a separate preamp and amp, with a phono section built into the preamp.
However, an integrated amp can also be a good choice, can save you money, and will almost certainly take up less space.
On the other hand, if I already owned a a preamp or integrated amp I was happy with that didn't have phono, it might well turn out to be most cost-effective to just add a standalone phono preamp.