Looking4 turntable preamp for vinyl digitizing/restore work

[Fac06]

I am looking for help in getting a new preamp for my turntable to do some vinyl restoration/digitizing work. What are the options for the best sounding units availible that are a decent price? Am willing to pay a little more for highest quality.

Thanks

Fact01

[centurymantra]

I've got a nice turntable rig and have owned a few phono stages. I ultimately sold a more expensive pieces to go with a Monolithic Sound PS-2, a slightly unknown smaller manufacturer that specializes in reasonably priced (relative term I know) audiophile gear. Probably worth getting the outboard power supply, but this does add quite a bit to the price - it was, like, half the price of the phono stage itself as I recall. You could scope out Audiogon to find a used one, which would definitely get you bang for the buck. Outside of that, there are a few "usual suspects" for good phono stages (Creek, Rega, Music Hall...a few others) with realistic price tags. I tried the Rega, and the Monolithic was a fair amount better IMHO. Of course, if you're looking to spend a lot of money, that's a whole 'nother thing, and you can just go out an pick up an Aesthetix, Pass Labs or one of those upper end E.A.R. or Manley phono stages.

[kayagum]

Go to the Needle Doctor in Dinkytown. They're great, and they only do turntables.

http://www.needledoctor.com/

TOLL FREE ORDER LINE : 1.800.229.0644
PHONE : 612.378.0543
FAX : 612.378.9024

SHIPPING ADDRESS :
NEEDLE DOCTOR
419 14th Av. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
U.S.A.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I have a NAD preamp that is switchable for either MM or MC turntables. That might or might not be important to you, but if you ever wanted to be able to work with any hi-fi turntable, this would be a big plus. I'd let it go for $100. If you're not familiar with NAD, they're a high end European manufacturer of stereo components. Let me know and I can send more pics or details.

m

[Cellotron]

Go to the Needle Doctor in Dinkytown. They're great, and they only do turntables.

http://www.needledoctor.com/

TOLL FREE ORDER LINE : 1.800.229.0644
PHONE : 612.378.0543
FAX : 612.378.9024

SHIPPING ADDRESS :
NEEDLE DOCTOR
419 14th Av. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
U.S.A.

Needle Doctor is definitely a cool place. LP Gear is another online spot that is a great resource - http://www.lpgear.com

Also - you can sometimes find very good deals on used high end turntables & phono pres at http://www.audiogon.com

As far as phono preamps go - I am loving my Simaudio Moon LP5.3 (which has the advantage for studios of having balanced outs on XLR along with the usual phono outs, along with a number of adjustable settings that allow it to work well with a number of different cartridge types).

Best regards.
Steve Berson