To Pre pr not to Pre

[AudioArcher]

My Pre-amp has two phono inputs and my turntable cartridge is a MM. I f I buy a phono pre-amp and use one of my tape inputs will I get an improved sound from my turntable. By the way my turntable is a Rega P3 and the pre-amp is David Hafler DH-101.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My Pre-amp has two phono inputs and my turntable cartridge is a MM. I f I buy a phono pre-amp and use one of my tape inputs will I get an improved sound from my turntable. By the way my turntable is a Rega P3 and the pre-amp is David Hafler DH-101.

If that pre you have can take the MM cartridge, no reason to buy another one. Hafler makes/made good products.

 

[Swerd]

My Pre-amp has two phono inputs and my turntable cartridge is a MM. I f I buy a phono pre-amp and use one of my tape inputs will I get an improved sound from my turntable. By the way my turntable is a Rega P3 and the pre-amp is David Hafler DH-101.

Is there anything wrong with your turntable sound now, or do you just have the upgrade bug? You can always try an outboard phono preamp, but I wouldn't buy one unless it included a 30-day money-back trial period. Of the few outboard phono preamps I've heard, they can be prone to picking up noise and interference, i.e. loud humming. You may have to move it around to different locations, away from other gear, to minimize the interference. The preamp section in your Hafler is likely to be better shielded and probably works as well anything you can buy for a reasonable price.

If money is really burning a hole in your pocket, you are more likely to hear a difference in sound by changing the cartridge than by using a different phono preamp. I'm going to guess here that you already have a good cartridge.

 

[AudioArcher]

Phono Preamp

The only problem that I seem to have is some nasty hum from the phono inputs. Ground Loop ? Other than that it sounds just fine. The cartidge is what came with the P3, an Elise I think. I wasn't sure if an outboard phono preamp would be an improvement or not. I can get a decent phono amp for around $200 to $400. I don't really want to spend more than that as far as upgrading goes right now. I guess going to an MC cartridge and phono amp would be the way to go then? I guess I'll save up. Thanks for the opinions. Any others comments are most certainly welcome.

 

[jaxvon]

The implementation of the EQ required in a phono stage can make a difference in the sound, as can the cartridge (obviously). Stereophile reviewed a few phono stages this month, one of them was only like $200 and very well liked. Go browse a copy at your local bookstore to see what you think.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The only problem that I seem to have is some nasty hum from the phono inputs. Ground Loop ? .

Is this a new hum? By chance you have cable TV connected to the setup? If so, unplug it totally and evaluate the hum again. If there, you may have a cable issue? Unplug one channel at a time and see if you can isolate to one channel?

 

[AudioArcher]

Hum

No I have had the hum for quite sometime. My video and audio systems are not interconnected. Just finding the time to do something about it is hard. Thanks for the helpful suggestion. I hope to take care of it soon. For the time being I am going to forego purchasing a phono preamp. I am now considering buying all new amps, afterall my system is 20+ years old. I am also considering a good MC cartidge. Whatever the wallet can handle I guess.