Phono preamp

[bf_brock]

I picked up a Sony PS-X7 turntable the other day. I'm pretty inexperienced in vinyl playback but this table seems like a significant upgrade over what I've heard before. Now, I'm thinking I about upgrading my phono pre-amp. Currently I have a BBE FJB-200X (I think that's the model) preamp. I would say probably $200-300 max price range (used is fine). Any suggestions?

Side question, any cartridge recommendations? It came with a Shure V15 Type IV.

[Glen B]

Following is a list of some popular good phono preamp choices in the $200-$300 range. See how you like the Shure V15 first. How much are you looking to spend on a cartridge ? Options are Grado, Audio-Technica, Ortofon and Denon in the budget price range. Check out Needle Doctor.

Cambridge Azur 640P - $179.00
Musical Fidelity V-LPS - $149.00
Musical Fidelity X-LPS - $250.00-$280.00 (used)
Pro-Ject Phono Box II - $159.00
Pro-Ject Phono Box SE II - $329.00

[bf_brock]

The Shure cart does sound pretty good. It might be good to get another cart though. Not sure how much I can spend, maybe a couple hundred. It would depend on how much I spend on other components I guess. What's your opinion of Sumiko carts?

What about the Gram Amp II or Gram Amp II SE phono preamp? Any experience with those? A little above the price range I see some Jolida tube preamps. They seem to get good reviews from what I've read. There's about a million choices...

[Glen B]

No experience with Sumiko cartridges or Gram Slee phono preamps. I don't know if you can do too much better than a Shure V15-IV for $200.00. A Denon DL-103 might be worth a try.

[wkhanna]

Based on your table, Glen has V good recomentations, IMHO.
Cambridge or MF phono-pre and Denon cart.....some of the best values to be had.

As always, IMHO YMMV

[aarsoe]

As a Dane I need to point to Ortofon. They really do make a lot of great cartridges. If budget is limited then go with the MM line. Very hard to beat..

[bf_brock]

Thanks for the information guys. I ended up picking up the Pro-Ject phono box last weekend. The other day I picked up the Cambridge Azur 640P since every single review I read preferred it over the Pro-Ject box and some reviews even over SE version. Unfortunetly I haven't really been able to compare the units because the right channel on the turntable died before I was able to hook the Cambridge unit up. I was able to at least test the Cambridge unit to make sure it worked at least. I think I'm going to keep the Cambride and return the Pro-Ject.

For the cartridge I think I'm going to keep the Shure, maybe get the Jico stylus for it and keep my eye out for any deals I can find. I've had a few people recommend Ortofon. I may actually get to try one out on my table if I get the right channel working again.

As to the right channel issue, I did some troubleshooting and it looks like it a bad RCA cable. Not surprised since it's the original ones. I had been planning on changing them anyways, just didn't want do it this soon. Looks like it'll be a pain in the a**. Any suggestions on what cable to use? Should I just get an RCA cable and cut one end off?