You know I wanted a turntable

[JoelSim]

but had no vinyl.

Well my dad has just rearranged his living room and doesn't want his Pro-Ject Debut III that I bought him a couple of years back, says he can't be bothered with the hassle and has put all the other stuff into a cupboard so it's hidden away.

So I now have a Pro-Ject Debut III and all his old vinyl, so now I just need a very small phono stage.

Any recommendations?

 

 

[chebby]

My Rega Fono-Mini is very small and costs around £60.

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/Fono%20mini.htm

 

[John Duncan]

The Arcam plugin one...

 

[Clare Newsome]

The Cambridge Audio Azur 640P phono stage could suit for price/performance - double Award winner and a @£60 bargain -but over to you on whether you consider it small....

 

[John Duncan]

£80 now...

 

[chebby]

Clare Newsome:The Cambridge Audio Azur 640P phono stage could suit for price/performance - double Award winner and a @£60 bargain -but over to you on whether you consider it small....

Clare, Cambridge Audio specify the 640P is 215mm x 133mm x 46mm (8.5" x 5.2" x 1.8") and weighs 2lbs...

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specifications.php?PID=29&Title=Specifications

This is somewhat 'hefty' compared to some other phono-stages at this price level.

Also (according to today's Richer Sounds website) the 640P is £79.95 and not £60

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yes I knew the dimensions/weight - hence my comment about only Joel judging whether it's small enough. It's seen off all other sub-£100 (and some over) phono stages in our testing though... (And i'll get that price hike noted on the review....)

 

[Anonymous]

I have a NAD pp-1 which measures 135mm x 35 x 70. Its a good low cost option. Try ebay?
This has now been superceded by the pp-2 which I think is the same size.

 

[chebby]

And the NAD PP3 which is the same box but with an additional built in ADC and USB interface so you can rip your vinyl LP music to your computer.

 

[Big Chris]

JohnDuncan:The Arcam plugin one...

Quite surprised the A85 hasn't got one as standard. Even my A65+ has one out of the box.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:Yes I knew the dimensions/weight - hence my comment about only Joel judging whether it's small enough. It's seen off all other sub-£100 (and some over) phono stages in our testing though... (And i'll get that price hike noted on the review....)

Does that include the Rega mini Fono, the "budget" Clearaudio and the Musical Fidelity v-lps? I've not seen reviews in any mags on them.

 

[matthewpiano]

Listening to my Debut III now. Lovely budget deck. Vinyl is just so much better than listening to digital music.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Tarquinh:
Clare Newsome:Yes I knew the dimensions/weight - hence my comment about only Joel judging whether it's small enough. It's seen off all other sub-£100 (and some over) phono stages in our testing though... (And i'll get that price hike noted on the review....)

Does that include the Rega mini Fono, the "budget" Clearaudio and the Musical Fidelity v-lps? I've not seen reviews in any mags on them.

We've certainly tried the Clearaudio (good but you can buy better for the money, in our opinion). We culled so many other ancient phono stage tests when we uploaded this website I can't confirm re Rega or MF...

 

[chebby]

Clare Newsome:We culled so many other ancient phono stage tests when we uploaded this website I can't confirm re Rega or MF...

Did a lot of cartridge reviews get culled also? Strange lack of cartridges in WHF's online reviews. Phono stages yes. Turntables yes. But not the vital bit on the end of the arm that actually gets the signal out.

 

[JoelSim]

matthewpiano:Listening to my Debut III now. Lovely budget deck. Vinyl is just so much better than listening to digital music.

It didn't sound as good as my dad's old Arcam alpha 6 CD so I don't have high aspirations for it really. But we will see. The smaller the better for the phono stage.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Clare. If you haven't reviewed the MF and the Rega, I'd certainly love to see a test, preferably up against the 640p..

 

[chebby]

JoelSim:The smaller the better for the phono stage.

The Rega Fono-Mini is tiny (the clue is in the 'Mini' bit) and inexpensive and from people who know a bit about phono-stages.

 

[Anonymous]

The smallest phono stage that will be of amazing quality will be to get your local Arcam dealer to fit the optional phono stage for £110.00 (it is still available as an upgrade on the A85 - I know because I am saving the money to do mine).

As an Arcam boy I am surprised that you are considering anything else!!!!!!

Even if you go for the Cambridge Audio it is an extra box and £60..... anything else will be more expensive......

Why not just get the Arcam fitted?

 

[chebby]

bloatedgut:
The smallest phono stage that will be of amazing quality will be to get your local Arcam dealer to fit the optional phono stage for £110.00 (it is still available as an upgrade on the A85 - I know because I am saving the money to do mine).

As an Arcam boy I am surprised that you are considering anything else!!!!!!

Even if you go for the Cambridge Audio it is an extra box and £60..... anything else will be more expensive......

Why not just get the Arcam fitted?

Good strategy that. Except when you come to upgrade/sell the A85 and the phono-stage goes with it. It is also unlikely that you will recover any of that £110 in the sale value of the A85 given that most people aren't bothered whether amps have built in phono-stages or not.

Just a thought and if you intend to keep the A85 for a long time yet then the Arcam module is a sound idea.

 

[JoelSim]

chebby:My Rega Fono-Mini is very small and costs around £60.http://www.rega.co.uk/html/Fono%20mini.htm

Looks good, but I can't find the dimensions anywhereÿ

 

[chebby]

JoelSim:Looks good, but I can't find the dimensions anywhere

I have quickly measured mine.

The case is 102mm wide and 110mm from back to front and 25mm deep.

 

[JoelSim]

Looks like it may be just the ticket

 

[Anonymous]

Very complimentary report of the fono mini in a French magazine. Pluses are stereo imagery, voicing, placement of instruments in the room, instruments at the lower end of the audio spectrum, good at deciphering complex musical passages. Negatives were the top end being restrained - violins, cymbals etc compared to the others but musicality made up for it. they tested with an LP12/Goldring 2100.

Didn't mention how it goes with Zep, but think I'm off shopping to-morrow

 

[JoelSim]

Thanks Chebbster

ÿ

2 problems with the Arcam phono stage:

1) unplugging and taking to dealer etc

2) no money back upon resale

3) The missus doesn't know that I'd have to buy something new and I can hide the phono box and she willl never know any different

4) I can't countÿ

 

[survivor]

chebby:My Rega Fono-Mini is very small and costs around £60. http://www.rega.co.uk/html/Fono%20mini.htm

Another great avatar from chebbs! How are you getting on with the blue ortofon? (Apologies if you`ve already talked of this on another thread)

Great result Joel by the way! Hope you like your turntable.