What phono stage

[curvature]

I’ve just sold an Arcam amp that had a built in phone stage to go back to a Naim Nait 5 amp without.

Any suggestions on what phono stage I should look at for a maximum of £150

Happy to buy used.

[skylarking808]

Maybe not everybody's go to, but I am using a NAD PP2 with my Naim Nait 5i.
I preferred it to the Naim phono stage as I could use my fave Chord 5 pin interconnect to make it sound more musical.

There are a few other alternatives at that price point however.

[curvature]

Thanks they look quite reasonable.

[BiggaJ]

I was going to suggest the Electrocompaniet ECP MK2 until I saw your budget, it is a stunning phono stage nonetheless.

Buying used must be/is the way to go with what you have to spend but if you wanted to buy new then the Schiit Mani is a nifty little unit though, it may not be in the same realm quality wise with what you have ... worth a listen.

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 3rd February 08:55

Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 3rd February 08:55

[PM3]

Pleased with the Pro-Ject Phono Box Ultra 500 I bought second had - "open box" deal . I think they have changed designation now to Phono Box S2 Ultra . Has MM or MC and various input/gain adjustments
It replaced the NAD PP4 is had whch was noisey

[toon10]

I found a Graham Slee gram amp 2 on eBay which I use on my 2nd Yamaha system. It has a basic phone stage built in but the gram amp gives better results. It was £200 new and the PSU-1 power pack was about £150 but I got both used for £200 all in. The phone stage is about £180 on Amazon without the power pack. I can't say it's better or worse than other options as I've not tested anything else but I'm happy with it.

The Schiit Mani 2 is also highly regarded and can be had around your budget.

[danb79]

I agree with the NAD idea; or this Fosi for well under budget:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosi-Audio-BOX-X5-Preampl...

Not much more needed really

[curvature]

Thanks for the ideas.

This all started because I was told we needed to decorate the lounge and put a herringbone floor down in November. The lounge is finished but I was informed that my Monitor Audio S5 Oak speakers were not allowed back as they clashed with the floor.

So now I also have to buy new speakers!

[BiggaJ]

curvature said:

Thanks for the ideas.

This all started because I was told we needed to decorate the lounge and put a herringbone floor down in November. The lounge is finished but I was informed that my Monitor Audio S5 Oak speakers were not allowed back as they clashed with the floor.

So now I also have to buy new speakers!

Probably cheaper to change the wife!!

[TWODs]

danb79 said:

I agree with the NAD idea; or this Fosi for well under budget:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosi-Audio-BOX-X5-Preampl...

Not much more needed really

I have this, works very well, very discrete & minimal, only very slight gripe is the manual on/off even after the mains is turned on, but as you have to get up to put a record on in the first place it is really not much of an issue.

[TWODs]

curvature said:

Thanks for the ideas.

This all started because I was told we needed to decorate the lounge and put a herringbone floor down in November. The lounge is finished but I was informed that my Monitor Audio S5 Oak speakers were not allowed back as they clashed with the floor.

So now I also have to buy new speakers!

I'm sure these will not look out of place and even come in a few colour options to suit, bit pricy but probably still less costly than a wife.

[curvature]

Love the speakers above. Possibly a bit too big but they are not oak so you never know, they may be deemed acceptable.

The best bit is the room has been finished for two months and we haven’t used it!

[dobly]

The obvious answer to the phono stage question is a used Arcam r-phono, if you can find one.
Some of the r-series designs were later used inside the top-model amplifiers and receivers, so are good quality.
Another option is Heed - the quasar or questar - again used.

Edited by dobly on Friday 6th February 04:57

[Paule2359]

I've been using a Cambridge Audio unit with my Naim gear, or maybe one of the Rega units.

[Deranged Rover]

You have to spend a considerable amount of money to significantly better a Cambridge Audio Azur 640P, IMHO.

[gbbird]

The Rega Fono Mini A2D is decent for the price, and you can record & digitise your vinyl with it.

[curvature]

Thanks for all the input.

In the end I bought a Phono Box S2 Ultra. This coincided with the LP12 turntable getting a new cartridge, sub chassis and bearing upgrade.

[PM3]

^ more recently I added to my Pro-ject phono by adding the "Accu Box S2" power supply/DC supply .
Probbaly all unecessary in scheme of things , but liked the idea of decoupling the mains from the phono stage

[andy_s]

I did a whole spreadsheet when I was looking for one and it's an atypical distribution depending on what you're looking for - but the specs here are are as good as most, better than a fair few and the price is very sensible - nothing wrong with that choice for sure.

[andy_s]

BiggaJ said:

curvature said:

Thanks for the ideas.

This all started because I was told we needed to decorate the lounge and put a herringbone floor down in November. The lounge is finished but I was informed that my Monitor Audio S5 Oak speakers were not allowed back as they clashed with the floor.

So now I also have to buy new speakers!

Probably cheaper to change the wife!!

Conversely, my wife had a wee grumble about my latest monkey coffins saying she preferred something less sharp/bit more curvy. Well, OK-dokey then, so I'm trading them in for some Davones, which by all accounts aren't 'all show no go' but perform very well [basically down to the good drivers and cabinet architecture].

When wife gives you lemons...