Phono preamp suggestions up to £800

[Happy_Listner]

I am using an older Creek 4330 with its phono card and a Rega RP40 with a Elys-40 MM cartridge. Any suggestions on a good stand alone phono preamp that would be a good upgrade?

Anyone have any thoughts on the The Graham Slee Reflex M?

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Rega Aria.

 

[Happy_Listner]

I suppose the Rega Aria would be the logical choice here. I guess I was thinking that I didn't really need low output MC capability, but it might be nice to have just case in future. Wonder how i compares to the The Graham Slee Reflex Phono Preamp? The Graham is a little less costly and I like the external power supply. Not sure how the power supply on the Aria is?

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

For what i've read is an isolated circuit, but if you want to go with a external power supply look at Clearaudio Basic Plus as well, and is MM and MC as well, so if future upgrade will appear on the horizon you're prepared...

 

[DIB]

I home demoed both the Graham Slee Reflex M along with the less expensive Rothwell Rialto phono amp. Personally I found no difference between the two (both excellent) , but more importantly for me, I found that my existing onboard Creek Sequel 40 MM phonoboard was a match for both.

The beauty of the Graham Slee is that you can get a home loan arranged via their website and just for the cost of postage you can trial it at home and see for yourself.

.

 

[Happy_Listner]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Clearaudio HiFi Outlaw.

That is very interesting DIB. I thought my Creek phono card sounded good. Better than a lot of other integrated amps with phono input I have tried in the past that were around the same price or more than the Creek 4330 is. Some of those amps were better on CD but not when using the phono input.

I might give that Graham Slee a try anyways just to compare. The Rega too is still an option if I can get a home demo for a day or two.

 

[nopiano]

Not quite what you asked, H_L, but I would suggest you consider putting the £800 towards a better amplifier with a decent phono input. You should get a something worthwhile for your Creek so would have a tidy sum available.

Had you not had a bad experience at VE I would also have said take a look there for suggestions on phono step ups. A dealer I respect is keen on the Slee range, but definitely audition because your budget is way more than I'd spend for your front end. But as you've only just got the tt it would be a bit previous to upgrade the cartridge now, but that might be the best step if LP is your main source. Then the amp!

 

[nima]

Forget about Graham Slee. But don't take my word for it, they run the loaner program on their forum, you should perhaps join and try it out yourself.

 

[stevebrock]

New Elex R or Elcit R - both have superb phono stages in them

 

[MajorFubar]

Not quite what you asked, H_L, but I would suggest you consider putting the £800 towards a better amplifier with a decent phono input. You should get a something worthwhile for your Creek so would have a tidy sum available.

Wise words imo. But if you're absolutely set on keeping the Creek and you're waving this kind of cash around, make absolutely sure you can get a home demo of a few different preamps so you can hear their effect on your own kit in your own room.

 

[Happy_Listner]

nopiano, I will upgrade the cartridge later, so far I am enjoying this Elys 40. I plan to upgrade my Creek as well but it is sounding really good with my old Proac Signature 2000 speakers right now. Whatever I decide, an integrated amp or an integrated and a separate phono pre, I want it to be good enough to keep for awhile. Something I can grow my system around. From my reading it looks like I can slowly upgrade the Rega RP40 over time. Adding a Groovetracer subplatter, different platter, new cartridge, and isolation platform.

Nima, I have heard and read many good things about the Graham Slee, maybe it didn't gel in your system?

Stevebrock, I have been thinking about the new Rega Elex-R, perhaps I can look for a demo. I still think for sound quality a separate phono pre might be worth it. Also, didn't you have a lot of problems with your Elicit R? That was you right or was that someone else?

MajorFubar, good point, did I just say that? Yes, I did. I will definitely home audition anything first before I buy it. I don't want to take a chance on reviews alone. Peace.

 

[stevebrock]

Yeah I was very unlucky with the Elicit R with various problems. However I still think its a fantastic sounding amp, very clean sounding and the phono stage iniside is very good too.

Im currently using the Rega FONO mk2 phono stage with my set up with a Benz Micro Ace (high-output) with good results - I did try the Aria and there was more space around the vocals - but £800 vs £200 is a lot money for only a small upgrade. The thing with the Aria is if you have no intention of going MC cartridge then that side of the Phono Stage is wasted and in effect you are paying for something that your not using.

The Groovetracer SubPlatter would be my choice of upgrade for you TT, but as people have said get a new amp, a clean transparent one so you can hear all these little upgrades as they DO make a difference.

Good Luck!

 

[Happy_Listner]

Hi Steve,

That's too bad about your bad luck with the Elicit R. Did you buy it when it first came out? Maybe they were having some first run production issues? I hope Rega has sorted it all out.

That Benz Ace is one of my goals in the future. Aren't those Ace's hard to come by recently? Seems like Benz was slowing down production, at least for a while. Maybe they are back up and running at a normal rate again.

 

[Happy_Listner]

G'Day,

So in my research I came across something interesting. I read and saw a couple of great reviews about this inexpensive phono preamp. These reviewers are saying it sounds as good as much more expensive phono preamps.

It's called the Lounge Audio mkIII Phono Preamplifier. Made in the USA and sold factory direct. It's MM only. There is one review on Tone Audio about it, the MK2 previous version. Plus there is one new Youtube review of the MK3, recent version. It's cheap enough to possibly take a chance on at only $300usd. If you want you guys can check out the video below and let me know what you think? It certainly peaked my interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Jdjml6lWI

P.S. I hope that didn't just sound like an advertisement, but it sort of did. Geez.

 

[stevebrock]

A year ago the Elicit R was in my lounge unitl Xmas 2013. Got a refund and got an Icon Audio ST40.

I believe Benz changed the profile of the stylus to stop tracking issues a few years ago - Analogue Seduction stock them.

 

[ifor]

Anyone have any thoughts on the The Graham Slee Reflex M?

I have one and love it. Without doubt it's the best bit of kit I've bought.