Observations and recommendations desired here

[Deleted]

So, now I've been a member in this forum for 6 or 7 months and I've learned a lot. I've purchased a Slee green headphone amp, and I'm thinking of getting into vinyl again, with a Slee phono preamp.

I own 3 preamps, one with a phono stage, and would be interested in hearing which of the 3 would be a choice among vinyl enthusiasts here.

The one with a built in phono stage is a 40 year old Dynaco PAT-5, just gone over by a local tech familiar with the kit.

Another is an AudioNote M2-B transformer output line only 6922 based.

The other is a Rothwell Indus SE (latest version) dual volume control line only.

Is that enough info to get a thought or two of the preamp some would use for vinyl appreciation, mostly through a Slee green headphone amp and either AKG-701's or Audio Technica W-5000's?

John

[rowuk]

I used the Dynaco for MANY years. Never thought ANYTHING was wrong with it (except no moving coil input). It was a DIY playground for me. I tried all sorts of caps and resistors, rolled tubes, etc. I'd probably still be using it if I hadn't received an offer that I couldn't refuse...............
Let me know how the AKG-701 sounds with the Green Solo. It is probably my next investment!

[landychris]

i'm a fan of the Trichord Dino+ phono stage, seems to be a good all-rounder

[FritzS]

Let me know how the AKG-701 sounds with the Green Solo. It is probably my next investment!

I have an K701 and the Green Solo is rolling on the way to me

I will report ASAP

[fanboi]

Hi johnsan, not sure I understand the question, if you want to use one of Grahams phono stages what do you need a preamp for?
Just plug the phono direct to the Solo and groove away.

[Deleted]

Johnsan and Fanboi
I am not sure of the output level of Graham Slee's phono amplifiers, but many phono amplifiers only output <300mV. Although this may drive the Green Solo etc. satisfactorily at low listening levels, it may not be loud enough for many people, due to many Headphone Amplifiers being optimised for higher level sources such as CD (2V RMS max. typically)
DTV has a similar problem due to maximum level being around -25dB.
Sandyk

[fanboi]

Sandy, I cannot quote exact output levels, but my Era Gold or Reflex feed direct into a normal linelevel input on the preamp.
Depending on the cartridge output whether I need to up the volume on the preamp to achieve equivalent to CD output.
eg with 2mv HOMC I need to increase volume at the pre, with .4mv MC-> 10:1 SUT = 4mv into Era, output is around the same as CD.
With 4-5mv MM the result is the same as for MC with SUT. ie no increase required over CD input.
Cannot vouch for the Gram 2 SE but would expect similar.
My expectation of any standalone phono stage would be that it would be built to provide linelevel equivalent output.

[Deleted]

fanboi
Looks like some manufacturers have seen the light at last. Very few internal phono preamps
had levels anywhere near that of CD. I tried looking at Graham's website before posting, but the MC/MM preamp that I looked at did not seem to quote output levels.
Line level equivalent output on items such as FM tuners etc was also very rarely more than 500mV. Many earlier preamplifier designs used to attenuate the CD input to bring the various source levels closer together.Perhaps times have changed ?
SandyK

[Deleted]

Below are the superb specifications of Graham's Era Gold Reflex.
SandyK

Nominal Input sensitivity: 4 mV rms
Maximum input: 45 mV rms
Nominal output: 472 mV rms
Maximum output: 5.3 V rms
Gain: 41.5 dB (118)
Input resistance: 47 kOhms
Input capacitance: 100 pF
Output will drive: 10k Ohms
Noise: -68 dB CCIR q-pk 20Hz - 20kHz
Distortion: 0.02%
RIAA accuracy: 0.5 dB
Frequency response: 5Hz - 150kHz
Channel balance: 0.2 dB
Channel separation: 64 dB



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[Deleted]

fanboi said:

Hi johnsan, not sure I understand the question, if you want to use one of Grahams phono stages what do you need a preamp for?
Just plug the phono direct to the Solo and groove away.

Dear Fanboi,

I guess I'm thinking that as I buy a turntable, I'll still have several other sources hooked up through a preamp and the Slee headphone amp would be for the phono, primarily, but my speaker based amplifiers would take on the other sources, i.e., cd, reel to reel, tuner, dvd, vhs (yes, I still have one and it sounds damn great). So, choice of currently owned preamps, and a dual volume control passive switch box (the Rothwell) is the reason for my query. I really didn't even think of a direct line from phono cartridge to the Slee phono preamp to the Slee Solo Green headphone amp. I could take any source out of the speaker based loop and just run the Slee headphone amp.

Thanks much, sometimes the forest is invisible for the trees, to me at least.

John