Best bang-for-the-buck

[J!m]

Hello!

I posted within another thread regarding a phono preamp, but thought it better to start my own.

I'm a cheapskate. I also don't have a lot of vinyl, but I have some you can't get on any other media.

Anyway, I was thinking about a Rega Planar 3 table, but have no idea about a preamp. The Rega is one of the best tables for the money, so I'm looking for the same in a preamp. Note it will be connected to the Perreaux below.

So what do we think about the best bang for the buck in a preamp? I am also open to other suggestions for the table too, if we have other suggestions.

Thanks!

[AudioAdvisorJoe]

In this price range, the Rega table is a great unit. The arm is the winner here. I think that the best "bang for buck" phono amp would be the Cambridge 640P. For under 200.00,
it's one of the best out there. I like the Vincent PHO 111 and the NAD PP2 also.

Joe

[WmAx]

OP, I guess it depends on if you believe in non-measurable voodoo, or just want superb real measurable performance.

If the latter, the Music Hall phono pre has great performance - should just be a transparent pre. Good for MM and MC. Has loading options, too, I think. This should leave the real differences down to the cartridge and table you use.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo....2%20%20%20BLK

-Chris

[J!m]

A little Voodoo never hurt!

Anyway, I have decided to build my own table. Therefore, the preamp will be back-burnered for a while. I appreciate the suggestions and links- I may have to re-ask the question as I get closer to completion.,..

Thanks again!

[Rapalyea]

If you are into retro you might consider a Marantz 1060 integrated amp. It is my understanding the pre-amp is direct out of their higher end models of the era in order to get this first(?) solid state model on the market fast. Also, I have a couple of NAD pieces including NAD 4155 tuner and 310 integrated AMP.

The 310 SEEMS to work, but the Marantz 1060 makes it sound like a walkman. Literally. To this day I wonder if there isn't something wrong with it. If anyone wants it you can have it for free, just shipping.

[Mose Pa.]

We are talking about a budget system here and I have tried a big bunch of phono preamps in my time ( I'm a Geezer ). The best one I have found is the one I am using now which is the Cambridge 640. It is around 180 new and can be had for less on auiogon. I think it is the most quiet and least interefering phono stage for the money.
Point of diminishing returns must be considered in all purchases. This is the point for budget preamps. If you want one with absolutely huge soundstage and churchmouse quiet with your lowest output cart, be prepared to spend many times more than this. but for plug it in and not worry about it performance, this is it.
Also, I commend you on building your own deck. Its not that hard. What are you intending to use for the bearing?. Also, if you are thinking about plastic or delrin for the platter, check out standard industrial warehouses for that material. Many are pre cut to a 12 inch disc shape requiring only final machining for the middle hole drill and the finish you desire on the edge. I am thinking about doing this myself. When I look at essentially plastic turntables like the Marantz ( Clearaudio ) that sell for over a thousand bucks and are fabricated in China for about 150.00, Hell, how badly could I do myself.

[J!m]

Also, I commend you on building your own deck.

Thanks!

Its not that hard. What are you intending to use for the bearing?

I have designed a solid carbide shaft that rides in a (massive) bronze bushing with about 0.001" clearance. Thrust is on a steel ball bearing and the entire shaft is in an oil bath. Pretty basic really.

Also, if you are thinking about plastic or delrin for the platter, check out standard industrial warehouses for that material. Many are pre cut to a 12 inch disc shape requiring only final machining for the middle hole drill and the finish you desire on the edge.

I have a few ideas on platter material. Possibly copper filled with tin, but I have a lot of work to do...

I am thinking about doing this myself. When I look at essentially plastic turntables like the Marantz ( Clearaudio ) that sell for over a thousand bucks and are fabricated in China for about 150.00, Hell, how badly could I do myself.

You can easily get the parts on-line to do essentially a DIY table for a few hundred bucks. Beautiful clear acrylic platters with the strobe printed on them and everything! Motors, tonearms etc are all fairly easy to get. Naturally, I have to design my own tonearm from scratch as well. I found what I believe to be the perfect arm design (just the 'tube' itself) however the raw piece of material alone will be over $1000.00 so I went with a carbon fiber kite tube instead for that particular piece. Ceramic fishing reel bearings are what I am planning for my arm pivot (up and down pivot) and the rotational pivot will probably be a smaller version of my platter bearing but much smaller and probably not solid carbide (but maybe- straight carbide drill blanks are cheap). This arm is over 14" long so a lot of the existing data is useless for the geometry (but the low distortion is worth it to me!)...

I am rebuilding my house currently so the 'table project is under a lot of dust right now. I have the rough plinth pieces glued up (combination of Baltic birch and MDF with other materials pending) and I want it to look good too, so that is a consideration...

I have a Premotec 24V DC motor for the drive. I plan to be able to switch 33/45 electronically, and should be able to do it with this motor.

It CAN be quite easy; I made it hard for myself.