Cambridge Alva Solo vs Rega fono MM mk5

[TK421]

Hi all,
I have the Cambridge Audio Alva solo phono preamp in between my Technics SL1500C and my Cambridge Audio CXA81.
Reading through some of the reviews, it seems that the Rega fono mm MK5 is possibly a more interesting alternative
Do you think that it would be an uprgrade or that the margins will be minimal?

 

[Al ears]

Hi all,
I have the Cambridge Audio Alva solo phono preamp in between my Technics SL1500C and my Cambridge Audio CXA81.
Reading through some of the reviews, it seems that the Rega fono mm MK5 is possibly a more interesting alternative
Do you think that it would be an uprgrade or that the margins will be minimal?

Minimal if any.
On the plus side your Alva will handle MC cartridges should you ever use one.....

 

[Integralista]

Hi all,
I have the Cambridge Audio Alva solo phono preamp in between my Technics SL1500C and my Cambridge Audio CXA81.
Reading through some of the reviews, it seems that the Rega fono mm MK5 is possibly a more interesting alternative
Do you think that it would be an uprgrade or that the margins will be minimal?

Hi, I think here will be Rega more different than better. Rega has different sound signature than Cambridge. Rega has more energy, drive especialy here in MM version. But Cambridge Alva Solo is also very good. Larger step will be Rega Aria (not so important which generation even mk1 is very good). And Aria has two independent circuits inside. One for MM and one for MC and two turntables can be connected, one with MM second with MC cartridge. This way I was using my Aria mk1 with two Rega turntables. It was happy pairing. BR.

 

[Al ears]

Hi, I think here will be Rega more different than better. Rega has different sound signature than Cambridge. Rega has more energy, drive especialy here in MM version. But Cambridge Alva Solo is also very good. Larger step will be Rega Aria (not so important which generation even mk1 is very good). And Aria has two independent circuits inside. One for MM and one for MC and two turntables can be connected, one with MM second with MC cartridge. This way I was using my Aria mk1 with two Rega turntables. It was happy pairing. BR.

The latest Aria is much more expensive which is why I didn't mention it.
The OP was comparing two devices that cost a similar amount.
For the money he would be better off upgrading his cartridge rather than the preamp.

 

[Integralista]

The latest Aria is much more expensive which is why I didn't mention it.
The OP was comparing two devices that cost a similar amount.
For the money he would be better off upgrading his cartridge rather than the preamp.

Yes agreed. But Aria mk1 you can get today for 400 Eur. I got my used 10 years ago for 650 Eur. It was a repaired warranty and it worked and worked no problem. I still have Aria mk3 as one of my phonopreamp family. And love it.

 

[Al ears]

Yes agreed. But Aria mk1 you can get today for 400 Eur. I got my used 10 years ago for 650 Eur. It was a repaired warranty and it worked and worked no problem. I still have Aria mk3 as one of my phonopreamp family. And love it.

Excellent. However even 400Euro is nearly double what the OP was looking at spending, that's always If you can find one in good condition.
I am a great believer in not paying for bits you don't need so unless the OP plans to run an MC cartridge at some point I wouldn't recommend it.