Phono Pre-Amp Suggestions?

[WndrBr3d]

Hey Everyone!

My wife and I moved recently and our new house has allowed me to setup a game room where I've hooked back up my turntable. Here's my setup:

- Stanton STR8-90 Turntable
- Harman/Kardon AVR7300 (Stereo Mode, 2x 125w)

I have several questions, so please bear with me :

1) I'm currently using an ART Pre that I got off eBay a couple years ago for $15. I see that ART has put out a new model. Since I'm in the market for a new phono pre-amp, what are your suggestions? I know the purist in me wants to find a tube based pre such as those offered by Pro-Ject Audio.

2) When listening to songs where the artist sings a hard "s", such as "Killing Me Softly" by the Fugees, the s seems to distort and get 'static-e". Is this an issue with the Cartridge or the Pre? I'm using the one that came with the Stanton and I have the tracking weight at 2 grams.

3) I know grounding is important and my turntable came with a stereo cable with a small spade ground cable and I'm curios if it would do me good to upgrade this to a better gauge cable or would I not notice the difference?? Currently I do notice a small 'hum' when listening to vinyl (and it's not coming from the receiver, I checked).

Thanks!!

 

[3db]

Hey Everyone!

My wife and I moved recently and our new house has allowed me to setup a game room where I've hooked back up my turntable. Here's my setup:

- Stanton STR8-90 Turntable
- Harman/Kardon AVR7300 (Stereo Mode, 2x 125w)

I have several questions, so please bear with me :

1) I'm currently using an ART Pre that I got off eBay a couple years ago for $15. I see that ART has put out a new model. Since I'm in the market for a new phono pre-amp, what are your suggestions? I know the purist in me wants to find a tube based pre such as those offered by Pro-Ject Audio. :

You need to audition to find out what sounds best to you.

2) When listening to songs where the artist sings a hard "s", such as "Killing Me Softly" by the Fugees, the s seems to distort and get 'static-e". Is this an issue with the Cartridge or the Pre? I'm using the one that came with the Stanton and I have the tracking weight at 2 grams.

Do you mean a pronounced "s" sound. I can't relate to a "static-e" sound.
Check to make sure your stylus isn't worn out. It maybe your cartridge as well. You need to experiment to remove some possibilities.

3) I know grounding is important and my turntable came with a stereo cable with a small spade ground cable and I'm curios if it would do me good to upgrade this to a better gauge cable or would I not notice the difference?? Currently I do notice a small 'hum' when listening to vinyl (and it's not coming from the receiver, I checked).

Thanks!!

No, An uprgrade here won't help. Just make sure the spades haven't oxidized and you should be good. If they have, use some mid grade sandpaper to remove the layer of oxidation

 

[WndrBr3d]

You need to audition to find out what sounds best to you.

Well, I think I was more asking about pre-amps in general. Are these $15-$30 pre's actually worth it? Or is there a better solution?

 

[TLS Guy]

Well, I think I was more asking about pre-amps in general. Are these $15-$30 pre's actually worth it? Or is there a better solution?

Something like this would be fine with your rig.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Esoteric-Sounds-Rek-O-Kut-Audiophile-Archival-Preamp-Professional-Moving-Magnet-Preamp;jsessionid=0a000d4a1f43011f50e900b14232ba30c2d88d605253.e3eSc34RbhyRe34Pa38Ta38Qb3n0

You don't need to go to tubes. Something on this page should do the trick.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Phono-Preamps

When did you last have your stylus checked. A worn stylus will ruin your records.

The problem you described is universal with cheaper pickups and cartridges.

As I have explained before the performance of turntables increase to a much greater degree than for digital playback equipment.

I strongly encourage finding the better vintage turntables, such as a Thorens TD 125. Mate that with a vintage SME arm or there new entry level arm. Shire cartridges excel in trackablilty and will play more records free of the problem you describe than any other.

I have always been fond of the Ortofon line.

This current Ortofon is considered the best substitute for the Shure V 15 xmr, which is sadly no longer available.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Phono-Cartridges

Turntable pictures.

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008_RKGvb#127077056

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424105_Kh5ff#127081086

 

[WndrBr3d]

You don't need to go to tubes.

Ah, well, I guess I should have said that I'm LOOKING to go tubes. I have some extra money and want to kinda perfect this system. I'm not looking for EXACT music reproduction, but something that LOOKS nice and sounds just as nice

Eventually I'll sell the HK (as it's more an audio/video thing) and get a tube amp as well.

When did you last have your stylus checked. A worn stylus will ruin your records.

The problem you described is universal with cheaper pickups and cartridges.

Ah! This is most likely the issue. The stylus is about... five? years old and I've never replaced it, so this might just be the case. I'm partial to Stanton only because I want to keep the brands the same (it's the A.D.D. in me).

And a BIG thanks for the link to NeedleDoctor.com! This was JUST the site I've been looking for

 

[mr-ben]

Ah, well, I guess I should have said that I'm LOOKING to go tubes. I have some extra money and want to kinda perfect this system.

I use the Bellari VP129 phono preamp, which uses a tube. My only comparison is to the phono input of my receiver, and the Belari sounds noticeably better.