Separate Phono Pre v. McIntosh-integrated Phono Pre-stage

[kfr01]

How good are the phono pre-amplifiers built into the McIntosh preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers?

More particularly, at what price/brand/model level would I start seeing real improvement over the stage built into my MA6600?

I'm assuming the little Pro-Ject sub $1k boxes would not do it, but that the Parasound John Curl Phono Pre would be a nice jump up.

[Removed]

I owned a c2300 and didn't care for the phono section, I thought it sounded flat and unevolving....others will disagree and it should be just that....we all chase a particular sound, have different set ups, different sounding rooms. etc.....there is really no right or wrong here just preferences....you like Ford I like Chevy......we both are happy!!!

Give a few phono stages a try and let your ears guide you to your destination....

[kfr01]

Jeff -- what would you recommend as the first step up from the built-in phono-section on my McIntosh?

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It appears your running a Blackbird cart. which is a HO MC 2.5 mV.....so you will be running a MM phono stage.....your typical MM phono stage has gain in the low 40s which will work ok....I like running a bit higher something in the mid 40s with 2.5mV cartridges.....not sure it would be appropriate for me as a dealer to be recommending phono stages in a forum!

[Face]

You're a sponsor, I don't see how that would be an issue.

[cmalak]

Well maybe another way you can do it Karl is to suggest a few phonos you have in mind and maybe Jeff can chime in with his thoughts on those specific units

Karl...I am not sure what price range you are thinking but I guess that is part of your question (i.e., how much of a step-up do you need before bettering the built-in phono in your MA6600)? I am not familiar with the Mc phonos but I agree with Jeff in that you should listen to a few across different price points that are still within your budget and let your ears guide you.

The Parasound JC-3 got great reviews at its price point but just be aware that it is limited in terms of its resistive loading (only 100ohms) in case you decide to switch to a LO MC cart down the road. It does provide 47dB gain MM and 68dB in MC so it should match well with your Blackbird cart in terms of gain (as per Jeff's comments above).

Do you have options locally to listen to?

[Removed]

Originally Posted by Face

You're a sponsor, I don't see how that would be an issue.

Its a conflict of interest.....all too many times when you see dealers participating in forums and recommending gear its in most case a plug for what they sell.....many times thier recommendations don't always have the person best interest and you see this everywhere......its one thing for a dealer to participate in forums and offer information and helping out with set up, etc.....but when dealers start to recommend gear on forums things get mucked up and IMO they loose there credibility, some can read between the lines and some cannot....So this is the reason I stay away from gear recommendations on forums.....I have a phone and a web site and happy to offer gear recommendations any time but just not in a forum.....my 2 cents!!

[Face]

I follow you.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

Its a conflict of interest.....all too many times when you see dealers participating in forums and recommending gear its in most case a plug for what they sell.....many times thier recommendations don't always have the person best interest and you see this everywhere......its one thing for a dealer to participate in forums and offer information and helping out with set up, etc.....but when dealers start to recommend gear on forums things get mucked up and IMO they loose there credibility, some can read between the lines and some cannot....So this is the reason I stay away from gear recommendations on forums.....I have a phone and a web site and happy to offer gear recommendations any time but just not in a forum.....my 2 cents!!

I agree too.
And Jeff's general advices are priceless !

[Formerly YB-2]

Will put in a plug for the Musical Surroundings Nova I got from Jeff. Very quiet, with battery power. And, considerably more flexible than the MA6600 phono stage, which I had at that time. Used the Nova for MCs and the MA6600 phono stage for MMs. Sold the MA6600............... kept the Nova.