Budget MM phono stage recommendations?

[CageyH]

A friend has about £200 to £250 to spend to better the MM input on his Marantz AV receiver.
Deck is a Planar 3 (or whatever the new version is called) running a Rega Exact cartridge.

Obviously 2nd hand will get a better deal.

[worrasf]

If he can stretch to £299 new (obviously less preowned if he can find one) I highly recommend the Rothwell Simplex (http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/simplex_mm_phonostage.html)

I am using one at the moment (with a Rothwell MC1-H) with HOMC Benz Micro Silver and Denon DL-160 into a Croft 25RSLS line stage and it is superb. Have used it with pure MM Goldring 2500 with equally good results.

[Firebottle]

Longdog PH1 phono stage.

Don't think you will get better for £200.

[CageyH]

The Longdog PH1 good then? I have never heard it.
His other option at the moment is a Slee Gram Amp 2 SE for £150 used.

[Firebottle]

I haven't heard one but I know Nick would put money in the right places.
Couple of good reviews about.

[dgolh]

I have one of yours for some time now and not willing to change. :)

[Ali Tait]

The Longdog PH1 good then? I have never heard it.
His other option at the moment is a Slee Gram Amp 2 SE for £150 used.

Yes it is, heard one a couple of times.

[CageyH]

Thanks. He has gone for the Gram Amp 2 SE.
I did feedback the comments on here...

[Light Capture]

The Schiit Audio Mani phono preamp is the best in it's modest price range.

[Firebottle]

Schiit shot themselves in the foot by using MC input resistance of 47 ohms. WHY?

The industry standard for MC input is 100 ohms. I modified one and it sounded so much better, 47 ohms is too low for most MC carts.

[Pigmy Pony]

Schiit shot themselves in the foot by using MC input resistance of 47 ohms. WHY?

The industry standard for MC input is 100 ohms. I modified one and it sounded so much better, 47 ohms is too low for most MC carts.

47 sounds like a familiar number - is that not the resistance for MM? I know bugger all about this sort of thing, so be gentle with me Alan :)

[Firebottle]

47K for MM Steve.

Gentle enough?

[Pigmy Pony]

Thanks Alan, I barely felt a thing :)

[Light Capture]

I'd keep the Exact myself but if he wants to change here's my thought. I'm using an Ortofon 2m Blue on my Thorens TD-203. It has s a very detailed and clear sound if that is what he's looking for. Or the Ortofon 2m Red if he wants to go cheaper.