LJSuau wrote:

Hi. Last year I inherited an AR “The Turntable” from my dad (last time used was 25 years ago). It took me a lot of research, hours of work and $$ but I have it like new almost new everything and it sound extremely good but just a bit bright in my opinion. I am looking at something that gives me more warmth or less high pitch in the voices.. NOW my speakers are a bit bright but when I use CD the pre amp do wonders and makes it sound amazing.

My current set up is : My equipment is: AR The Turntable, Jelco 750D for tone arm, Hanna EL MC cartridge, Emotiva XMP-1 for pre-amp... Emotiva XPA-1 for amp.. and since the Emotiva XMC-1 don't have a phono input, I have the TT connected to a Parasound Z phono... and the Zphono to the emotiva pre-amp.

Basically I am looking to substitute the Zphono for a small under $1,000 pre amp that is a bit warmer … possibly a tube one.

Any ideas or suggestions.

Many thanks!!

Luis

Personally, I think the Emotiva equipment is your whole problem, and parasound is not much better.

I suggest that you consider one of the Musical Fidelity integrated amplifiers, which include their excellent phono preamp.

The M5si is only $2000, and it will transform your system completely, with much nicer sound and tons of power.

The M3si is $1500, and still has enough power for the large majority of speakers.

The Jolida JD9 is tube based and routinely named one of the best value units on the market. I would call Needledoctor and discuss with them if this units is one you are considering because there is a base and upgraded modelat $699 and $899 respectively.

An even better value might be the Vincent PHO-700 though for some reason I am thinking I read this is not a true tube unit. It can be purchased for like $450 or $499 at Audio Advisor and is great sounding.