It's been a while since this has been visited and with so many young ears turning to records for a "new" experience and so many oldtimers returning to their roots maybe it's a good time to revisit.  I am interested in maximum price performance.  Now, if your ears say you cannot get squat for less than 2k, that is price performance.  However, let's try to concentrate on avoiding raiding the kids college fund.

For instance, I use a TCC TC-778 for my 78rpm setup (http://www.phonopreamps.com/) and audiophiles and general listeners are blown away with how good they sound.  Paid 63.50 for it.  I've never tried it on LP's so I don't know how it would stack up against my Super PAS4i preamp phono section.  However, it certainly wouldn't sound awful I am sure.  I've seen 78rpm preamps for 300/2k though I find it hard to imagine an improvement that would justify those pricesMy first external was a Musical Fidelity that I paid around 100.00 for and I found it quite nice.  I've seen some really nice looking tube preamps at reasonable prices...the Bellari VP129 at 250.00 or so comes to mind.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

Regards,
Dave

Creek - OBH-18 MM Phono Preamplifier.

I use a high output Benz ACE MC. O changed the Creek input impedance to match the Benz requirements.

It's discrete, class A. Sound has always been good.

Leo

  I've seen some really nice looking tube preamps at reasonable prices...the Bellari VP129 at 250.00 or so comes to mind.

====================

I like this one.

I thas been a few years but it reminded me of Scott vintage phono sections. 

 If you want to try a Bellari VP12.  I'll sell mine for $150 shipped.

nu2toobs:

 If you want to try a Bellari VP12.  I'll sell mine for $150 shipped.

Why?  (Very tempting...)

This won't break the bank and the sound is ALL triode (unlike many cheapies which hang a tube on the output).

mdeneen:

This won't break the bank and the sound is ALL triode (unlike many cheapies which hang a tube on the output).

Knowing the build quality and reputation I'd certainly have no qualms on that one.  Whether it "breaks the bank" depends on whether we are talking a curious college student or committed audiophile ("committed" being an intentional double entendre!).  

Does the Bellari just hang a tube on the output?  And what are the precieved or real benefits of tube rectification over SCR or whatever SS rectification is now the norm?  I would expect that tube would be the one most likely to fail given the work it does.  Unless the benefit are unquestionable it seems SS rectification would be prefereable.

Dave 

mdeneen:

This won't break the bank and the sound is ALL triode (unlike many cheapies which hang a tube on the output).

I second Larry's comment Mark

Kind of partial to this one

Mallette:

mdeneen:

This won't break the bank and the sound is ALL triode (unlike many cheapies which hang a tube on the output).

Knowing the build quality and reputation I'd certainly have no qualms on that one.  Whether it "breaks the bank" depends on whether we are talking a curious college student or committed audiophile ("committed" being an intentional double entendre!).  

Does the Bellari just hang a tube on the output?  And what are the precieved or real benefits of tube rectification over SCR or whatever SS rectification is now the norm?  I would expect that tube would be the one most likely to fail given the work it does.  Unless the benefit are unquestionable it seems SS rectification would be prefereable.

Dave 

I like tube rectifiers, but they do cost more and are less reliable than SS diodes. We are using SS rectifiers for the first time in the new Tercel.

Any "phono preamp" with but a single tube must be using OpAmps or transistors for most of the work, because you simply cannot build a 2 channel RIAA phono preamplifier from a single 12AX7 or any other single tube. It would be somewhat silly to build an RIAA phono preamp with an OpAmp and then dangle a tube off the end for show. But, apparently................ 

 >I like tube rectifiers, but they do cost more and are less reliable than SS diodes.

The question is why?  I like steam engines and am willing to spend extra for them, but the end result is scientifically the same. 

Dave 

Mallette:

 >I like tube rectifiers, but they do cost more and are less reliable than SS diodes.

The question is why?  I like steam engines and am willing to spend extra for them, but the end result is scientifically the same. 

Dave 

In most circuits you can "hear" the difference between tube and SS rectifiers. So my preference is based on the sound. It is subtle and small, but it is there.

Kev---

Yes, the original Tercel was tube rectified. The new one is not for space and cost reasons.  The cases for the new one are Walnut, Curly Maple, Mahogany, and bloodwood. The pix are the walnut case.

Rick Rigler just left.  He brought over his bottlehead phono preamp which is now hooked up to my system. 

Sounds flawless.  We did a number of my better LP's, Louis Armstrong (1966), Crystal Clear Direct Cut Organ and Brass.  We compared the Louis directly to the 24/88.2 digital version I recorded.  I'll leave it to him to comment on that.  

I'm going to enjoy it for a while.  He brought me a few of his favorite LP's which I am going to high res digitize and decompress as rent.  Fair enough deal!

I'll post some pix of his work when I get the chance.

Dave 

Dave,

Generally, when I go to audio meets or friendly get-togethers, I get to listen to some different gear; some good, some very good, and some that leave me asking myself, “you paid how much for that?”, or “you think THAT sounds good?” Of course, it is all subjective, each to his own, etc. We all have our own tastes and preferences, and we have no idea what may sound good to the next person, or if the sound I like will sound right to them.

Anyhow, I may leave said audio meet feeling just a little humbled, but smiling about all the good sounds I heard. But when I get back home and fire up my system, you know what; I am still smiling ‘cause it sounds pretty darn good, too; at least to me.

And then I had to go to your place…thanks!

Your system is so accurate and, well, large. There is really nothing that compares with anything I have heard to date. I like my system a lot, and it think it is pretty accurate, albeit on a much smaller scale that what I heard today.

The Louis Armstrong was pristine. You had it turned up very loud, but it was very clean and absent of any distortion. The only time I cringed was when I thought something was crawling on my head, but it was actually the SPLs moving my hair; and, oh, the bass was perfect!

I only wish my vinyl rig was as advanced as yours. I am not experiencing that vinyl magic yet in my system, but today I did with yours. And the hi-res digital capture was indeed a near perfect image of the vinyl we heard yet a few seconds prior. The only comment I might have there is that the vinyl playback seemed just a tad quieter. Of course the noise floor can vary from play to play. And you have been having issues with your PAS pre. But there was no lack of resolution in either playback. Bottom line, I have heard no CD with that resolution!

Enjoy the Seduction for a while. I will say again that Bottlehead gear is one of the better/best values in hi-fi.

Rick