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da2222
20-10-2018, 17:01
Looking for opinions of worthy contenders for a used MM phono stage. I'll be using an AT AT33PTG/II moving coil cart with a Phonomac modded Denon HA 500, front end 300B valve power amp. What do you think's worth consideration/ best bang for the buck on a £400 budget? Thanks very much.
STD305M
20-10-2018, 18:26
Hi Drew

I used it with a Schitt Mani and it sounded really good, if you want better a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2
I used both to good effect

Steve...
Bigman80
20-10-2018, 18:38
Looking for opinions of worthy contenders for a used MM phono stage. I'll be using an AT AT33PTG/II moving coil cart with a Phonomac modded Denon HA 500, from-end 300B valve power amp. What do you think's worth consideration/ best bang for the buck on a £400 budget? Thanks very much.I know it's over budget but ......

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 301892991405

Just can't go wrong for that money.

There's better value in the used market and that's where i'd aim TBH
Bigman80
20-10-2018, 18:39
Actually, I'll have a look
karma67
20-10-2018, 18:45
nakamichi ca-5 is what i use with the same denon ha-500 as yours,a very good combo
struth
20-10-2018, 18:48
A firebottle can be a good second hand buy. The man knows his onions.

Plenty good second hand ones Worthing that budget
Bigman80
20-10-2018, 19:00
A firebottle can be a good second hand buy. The man knows his onions.

Plenty good second hand ones Worthing that budgetIf you can find one!
steve-z
20-10-2018, 19:06
As you have a valve power amp it would seem sensible to stick with a valve phono stage, the Project Tube Box S2 is very flexible for loading and gain so should work well, the Schiit Mani is great with MM but has too low an impedance (47ohms) for moving coil, I had one, it was hopeless with my ATF7 and was sold on.


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struth
20-10-2018, 19:06
The second bit didn't come out well. Lol

Didn't mean there were plenty firebottle ones. Just that there are plenty good second hand stages under 400
struth
20-10-2018, 19:10
As you have a valve power amp it would seem sensible to stick with a valve phono stage, the Project Tube Box S2 is very flexible for loading and gain so should work well, the Schiit Mani is great with MM but has too low an impedance (47ohms) for moving coil, I had one, it was hopeless with my ATF7 and was sold on.


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Found the mani ok on mc with a ortophon. Only one I tried it on. But a good amp for little money.
The emotiva I'm using now is better when broken in and the psu is improved
Stryder5
20-10-2018, 19:16
I have a Project Tube Box II with upgraded valves, PM me if interested.

Gary
da2222
20-10-2018, 19:28
I know it's over budget but ......

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 301892991405

Just can't go wrong for that money.

Yes...There was a Croft RIAA R on ebay until a few days ago for not much more but procrastination beat me to it...

There's better value in the used market and that's where i'd aim TBH

Yes...There was a Croft RIAA R on ebay until a few days ago for not much more but procrastination beat me to it :-(...
da2222
20-10-2018, 19:30
Also considering a Graham Slee Reflex M but yet to find one used...
STD305M
20-10-2018, 19:32
Loading is really easy to change if you can solder
I got great results with the ptg33 ha500 and mani.

However loading shouldn't be an issue as he's using the Ha500
Steve...
da2222
20-10-2018, 19:38
However loading shouldn't be an issue as he's using the Ha500
Steve...

That's what I thought, the head amp should cover that
Bigman80
20-10-2018, 19:39
Yes...There was a Croft RIAA R on ebay until a few days ago for not much more but procrastination beat me to it :-(...A costly mistake. They are serious phonostages. If I had £500 for a phonostage and couldn't (nearly) build my own, that's where id go.
da2222
20-10-2018, 19:48
A costly mistake. They are serious phonostages. If I had £500 for a phonostage and couldn't (nearly) build my own, that's where id go.

Yep, a costly mistake indeed... A review banging on about 'wooly' bass response kept my finger off the trigger. And the size!
Bigman80
20-10-2018, 19:59
Yep, a costly mistake indeed... A review banging on about 'wooly' bass response kept my finger off the trigger. And the size!Ah, well, in my experience, bass quality is largely dependent on what valves are used.

I had Mullards, soft bass, swapped to Telefunken and the bass detail soared. Admittedly the Mullard weren't originals.
steve-z
20-10-2018, 20:00
Loading is really easy to change if you can solder
I got great results with the ptg33 ha500 and mani.

However loading shouldn't be an issue as he's using the Ha500
Steve...

Didn’t cotton on that he was using a head amp, that said the Mani should work fine.


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Bigman80
21-10-2018, 13:16
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound%2Enet%2F forum%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D58462&share_tid=58462&share_fid=4177&share_type=t

FS: Firebottle Plus MM/MC Phonostage
Floyddroid
21-10-2018, 15:35
I know it's over budget but ......

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 301892991405

Just can't go wrong for that money.

There's better value in the used market and that's where i'd aim TBH

It depends if you like the Croft sound. I auditioned one of these a while back and thought it was as dull as dish water. One man's meat and all that.....
Bigman80
21-10-2018, 15:37
It depends if you like the Croft sound. I auditioned one of these a while back and thought it was as dull as dish water. One man's meat and all that.....You need a fairly "bright" cartridge like the 2M black to get it going. I should've mentioned that.

Alternatives are available mind. For £500, there shouldn't be a la know choice.