Advice on MM phono pre-amp requested.

[DaveK]

Hi all you knowledgeable Techiephiles :) ,
It looks as though my small, old, ex-ebay MM phono pre-amp has decided to retire. My Techie is a SL1210 with an off-board Paul Hynes PSU, a Nagaoka MP30 cart and pure silver tonearm cable right through to the pre-amp and I have no plans to change any of that any time soon :) . I would be interested in hearing any advice on a good MM pre-amp to suit that set up. Budget around £50 or so but would be willing to go further if the 'bang for buck' calculations justified it. I am open to both new and second hand purchases if in minty condition.
Any advice guys?
TIA,
Dave.

[Ammonite Audio]

That's quite a challenge for £50! If you can stretch the budget, I recommend looking at Alex Nikitin's Kora 3T designs - see http://www.ant-audio.co.uk/index.php?cat=product

[DaveK]

That's quite a challenge for £50! If you can stretch the budget, I recommend looking at Alex Nikitin's Kora 3T designs - see http://www.ant-audio.co.uk/index.php?cat=product

Hi Shuggie,
Thanks for your reply. I must admit I'm out of touch with phono pre-amp prices - and I am a Yorkshire born and bred pensioner :lol: - the now dead one cost me about that on ebay a few years ago and I've been very happy with it. I could stretch the budget a bit but a factor of 7 to 10 is a stretch too far. I don't think the rest of my kit, or my failing ears ;), would justify that sort of expenditure. I have heard a lot about Alex Nitikin's products and have no doubt they are excellent value for money but sadly out of my reach. Something about half Alex's cheaper option price would probably be just about achievable - it is Christmas after all :).
Thanks again,
Dave.

[walpurgis]

I've said before that for the money a used Cambridge 640P or 540P is pretty well unbeatable at the budget end. £50 to £80 seems to be the going rate on eBay. They are decent enough sounding and well made. Unlike many cheaper phono stages they at least present the music with a bit of body and no 'nasties'. The 640P has the option of use with low output MC cartridges.

[DaveK]

Thanks Geoff,
Coincidentally I have been looking at what I believe are the current variants of these, the 551P and the 651P - it's always good to hear a personal recommendation to counter the usual salesman hype.
Many thanks.
Dave.

[Beobloke]

The 640P is a great little unit but if you can stretch to the 651P, do. It improves on the 640P in pretty much all areas!

[rubber duck]

The 640P is a great little unit but if you can stretch to the 651P, do. It improves on the 640P in pretty much all areas!

Really? I thought they were exactly the same circuit, unless I read it wrong...

[Arkless Electronics]

The 640P is a great little unit but if you can stretch to the 651P, do. It improves on the 640P in pretty much all areas!

They are exactly the same....

[DaveK]

They are exactly the same....

Hi,
I have no wish to pour petrol on an already smouldering fire but I have just had discussions with a sales guy at Richer Sounds on the subject of the 651 vs the 551. According to him, the Cambridge Audio Sales Engineer who visited their shop to 'educate' them on these items advised that the 651 has upgraded components and does give better SQ than the 551. As usual, a word of caution about accepting salesman's hype without a huge pinch of salt but I just add it to the pool of 'knowledge' on this item.
FWIW, as they did not have any 551s in stock I got a good deal on the 651. I will not be able to compare the two but I will report on the 651 when I've had a good listen.
Cheers,
Dave.