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Thread: Phono pre-amp advice please

  1. #1
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Sheffield/Peak District. UK

    Posts: 574
    I'm Richard.

    Default Phono pre-amp advice please

    HI, I've been re-visiting my LPs since changing my amp to a WD KEL84 valve jobbie.

    I have an Inspire Apollo deck with an AT33PGT cartridge in a Roksan Nima arm serving a Cambridge CP2 MC pre-amp.

    The sound is good but lacking bass - when compared with listening to the same recording from a digital source (Cambridge CXC: Beresford SEG DAC; Radio Paradise etc).

    Any recommendations? (I have checked the cartridge set-up). I was wondering if the Rega Fono would be a better bet as it has more adjustments to match the specific characteristics of the cartridge.

    Budget: "restricted".

    The G Slee also took my eye but not sure if the low 0.3mV output from the AT would be an ideal match. I know G Slee offer a free loan.
    There's a Leema Essentials in Classifieds for £320. Any good?
    My local dealer specialises in Pro-Ject and Lehmann stages.
    The iFi Phono2 gets excellent reviews - but reliability seems an issue.
    Arcam?

    Any advice?

    (Also posted in another forum - AS)

    Thanks,

  2. #2
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire/Panteg is where my late father was born

    Posts: 4,382
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    AT33PTG should not be lacking in bass?

    What settings are you using?
    Chris

    We've gone on holiday by mistake !

  3. #3
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Sheffield/Peak District. UK

    Posts: 574
    I'm Richard.

    Default

    I think the Cambridge CP2 is the possible bottleneck. It's set on MC (of course), and apart from a rumble filter and 'balance' that's all that can be done.

    Thanks.

    Richard

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

    Default

    Can you switch the rumble filter off? Does it make a difference?

  5. #5
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default

    There was no lack of bass with the AT33 I had here for a while. It's presentation was less impactful and more of a softer feel. Delicate, let's say. Is that where the difference lies or is it tonally deficient?

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Firebottle View Post
    Can you switch the rumble filter off? Does it make a difference?
    That's what I was thinking. Don't like rumble filters, they always seem to weaken the bottom end.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Sheffield/Peak District. UK

    Posts: 574
    I'm Richard.

    Default

    No, the rumble filter doesn't make any difference (to my ears).

    Any recommendations for a good mid-range MC phono preamp?
    Thanks.
    R

  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2017

    Location: West Sussex, UK

    Posts: 775
    I'm Steve.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bonky View Post
    HI, I've been re-visiting my LPs since changing my amp to a WD KEL84 valve jobbie.

    I have an Inspire Apollo deck with an AT33PGT cartridge in a Roksan Nima arm serving a Cambridge CP2 MC pre-amp.

    The sound is good but lacking bass - when compared with listening to the same recording from a digital source (Cambridge CXC: Beresford SEG DAC; Radio Paradise etc).

    Any recommendations? (I have checked the cartridge set-up). I was wondering if the Rega Fono would be a better bet as it has more adjustments to match the specific characteristics of the cartridge.

    Budget: "restricted".

    The G Slee also took my eye but not sure if the low 0.3mV output from the AT would be an ideal match. I know G Slee offer a free loan.
    There's a Leema Essentials in Classifieds for £320. Any good?
    My local dealer specialises in Pro-Ject and Lehmann stages.
    The iFi Phono2 gets excellent reviews - but reliability seems an issue.
    Arcam?

    Any advice?

    (Also posted in another forum - AS)

    Thanks,
    .
    Turntable; Rega p8
    Cartridge; Alpheta mc
    Phono Stage; Rega Aria, Bigbottle 3 mm/mc
    Amplifier; Rega Elicit
    Speakers; Rega Rx3

  9. #9
    Join Date: May 2017

    Location: West Sussex, UK

    Posts: 775
    I'm Steve.

    Default

    Hi Richard,
    Im using the same cart with an old A&Rcam HA10 and it sounds great, not lacking in bass at all.
    You can pick a second hand one up really cheap on Flee-bay.

    Steve...
    Last edited by STD305M; 14-04-2018 at 11:05. Reason: Spelling
    Turntable; Rega p8
    Cartridge; Alpheta mc
    Phono Stage; Rega Aria, Bigbottle 3 mm/mc
    Amplifier; Rega Elicit
    Speakers; Rega Rx3

  10. #10
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Much Wenlock

    Posts: 1,522
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Let's explore a bit deeper please, what interconnects are you using, are they the same? Try swapping them over and see if it makes a difference.

    My turntable was sounding poor recently and although the cartridge had been set up a while ago, somehow things moved.
    Cartridge VTA and downforce.

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