Hi. I have an Audio Technica LP120XUSB turntable that has a built in phono stage. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a reasonably priced smallish unit that would sound better than the built in one. New or second hand. Thanks.
Phono stage.
- Thread starter camcroft
- Start date
Al ears
Well-known member
Define reasonably priced....
Something like the Edwards Audio Apprentice MM perhaps or something from Graham Slee, or iFi Audio Zen Phono?
All these are very good.
Will, of course, depend on what you can find if going second-hand.
sticking to a MM only design will save you a bit of money.
Last edited:
Thanks. Space is the problem I would need to sort of hide it away so a smaller unit would be more suitable and regarding budget as it's a second system I don't really want to spend a fortune like I have on my main system's phono stage. I am just trying to improve the quality of sound from the onboard unit.
Al ears
Well-known member
Just about any small phono preamp will probably out perform the one built into the turntable so see what you can find second-hand for a price that suits you.
Although, to be honest, you are more likely to notice a distinct improvement by upgrading the cartridge rather than the phono stage.
what amplifier do you use in this set-up??
It's powered speakers Audioengine 5+ and the cartridge is a AT-VM95E with RigB mod done . I also have the ML stylus but that is kept as a spare for my main turntable which is using a Paratrace stylus.
Al ears
Well-known member
Please read my previous reply. You replied before I has finished editing it. Cheers.
This doesn't look too bad for the price.
Al ears
Well-known member
nopiano
Well-known member
I’ve had two versions of the Rega Fono Mini and both were excellent. It’s small enough to tuck away and has a wall wart PS.
The original Mini I got in 2011, and it predated the popular A2D model which was updated to enable recording LPs onto a computer. I used it until about 5/6 years ago when I bought a newer one with a power switch on the front. I couldn’t honestly say it sounded better, but it had a posher box - though it was larger.
Sold them when I got my Akurate pre as that had Linn’s own MM or MC board, which was maybe a shade more rich, as well it should at the price. I’d not hesitate to get a Rega again, especially as there are usually a few to choose from on eBay etc.
The original Mini I got in 2011, and it predated the popular A2D model which was updated to enable recording LPs onto a computer. I used it until about 5/6 years ago when I bought a newer one with a power switch on the front. I couldn’t honestly say it sounded better, but it had a posher box - though it was larger.
Sold them when I got my Akurate pre as that had Linn’s own MM or MC board, which was maybe a shade more rich, as well it should at the price. I’d not hesitate to get a Rega again, especially as there are usually a few to choose from on eBay etc.
Update: I know it's not the best but I purchased the Project Phono Box E to use as an external phono stage. The size was just perfect for the room. I listened first and thought the clarity and separation of the instruments was a lot better than the internal one and there seemed to be more volume which is easy to remedy I then went back to the internal one and checked again and decided that the Project was definitely staying so all in all £45 well spent.
Al ears
Well-known member
Because it's not going through an integrated amp I think that it is a bit more difficult what phono stage you buy as the speakers built in amp hasn't got any controls to fiddle with it either sounds right or it doesn't. Thanks for all of the replies much appreciated.
Al ears
Well-known member
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