Looking for advice on a (new) phono pre-amp

[The Grand Wazoo]

What was wrong with the Cyrus 2 in the first place? - that had a pretty respectable phono stage - MM & MC.
I've got one knocking about somewhere.

[Themis]

What was wrong with the Cyrus 2 in the first place? - that had a pretty respectable phono stage - MM & MC.

Nothing really, my wife was complaining that I had too much hifi gear, and a friend of mine needed it more than me. (he gave it to his wife, then divorced...)

I make mistakes, sometimes...

[Hypnotoad]

Hi all,

It's uncommon enough, but I'll have to change my phono stage...

So, I asked my (favorite) local dealer who advised me to get a Pro-ject Tube Box II.

Any opinions on this or an alternative option (on the same budget: around 350€) would be appreciated.

Thank you for you help.

Your dealer is on the right track, I have one and I love it.

It easily beats out the one in my Luxman L-430.

You can swap the tubes out as the Pro-Ject ones are not up to par and don't do the unit justice at all.

Get a pair of decent tubes and it takes it to a whole new level.

You can adjust the sound to suit your tastes depending on the tubes you use.

I have some Philips/Amperex and they give a very forward detailed presentation.

I also have some Mullard reissues and they are very sweet and laid back, the sort of sound you can listen to all day.

If I were you I would seriously consider one.

[Primalsea]

I have a Pro-Ject Tube Box (Mk1) and that is very good as well. It wont be a bad choice at all if you get one. I use mine on MC which works by just cranking the gain right up and the thing is fairly silent.

[DSJR]

Thanks for filling in on the system.

The Cyrus 2 has only one reliability problem and as yours hasn't broken, your mate should be ok. the supply caps to the phono stage used to go bad and cause a loud buzzing through the amp. A PSX used to beef the whole effect up and we used to supply an Isoplat to "present" them on which kept the two boxes together well if nothing else.

I would suggest a new cartridge. Depending on the Rega, which changed arms from the R200 to RB250 in late 1983, their cartridges always seemed too bass-heavy to me (apart from the Exact, which wasn't as bad - don't know the tricky Apheta).

depending on the Rega arm, look out for an AT120e or 440e, one of Marco's favourite Nagaoka's or the safe-as-houses Denon DL110 or 160

[Themis]

I would suggest a new cartridge.
...
depending on the Rega arm, look out for an AT120e or 440e, one of Marco's favourite Nagaoka's or the safe-as-houses Denon DL110 or 160

Ok, thanks for the advice. I never tried a Nagaoka, but a 440e why not, I haven't listened to an AT for years... will bring back some souvenirs.
I'll look at my Rega's arm tomorrow to see which one it is. EDIT: it's an RB300 (because I'd made a typo on my Planar model) with an Elys cartridge. If I change my turntable my wife will divorce then kill me, and not necessarily in that order...

(I emailed Glenn to see where/how could I get his amp... it looks a good choice)

[Hypnotoad]

Ok, thanks for the advice. I never tried a Nagaoka, but a 440e why not, I haven't listened to an AT for years... will bring back some souvenirs.
I'll look at my Rega's arm tomorrow to see which one it is. EDIT: it's an RB300 (because I'd made a typo on my Planar model) with an Elys cartridge. If I change my turntable my wife will divorce then kill me, and not necessarily in that order...

(I emailed Glenn to see where/how could I get his amp... it looks a good choice)

Maybe she will just maim you and you will still be able to listen to your new turntable.

[Peter Stockwell]

I don't have any feedback on the Nano

It's very good, works fine with MM & MC, needs a day or two to warm up but sounds good cold. (I also have some spare MP11s you can try, not special, but competant)

[Themis]

It's very good, works fine with MM & MC, needs a day or two to warm up but sounds good cold. (I also have some spare MP11s you can try, not special, but competant)

Thank you for your comments, Peter.

I ended up deciding of giving a try to Croft's 25 Micro, in an attempt of combining a more global upgrade to my system.
If Glenn's pre's phono stage doesn't sound to me "appropriate", then I'll come back for more advice.

[Peter Stockwell]

I ended up deciding of giving a try to Croft's 25 Micro, in an attempt of combining a more global upgrade to my system.
If Glenn's pre's phono stage doesn't sound to me "appropriate", then I'll come back for more advice.

I think you'll be happy with that choice, at least, you'll be giving one of the little guys a chance .