Best Balanced Output Phono Stage

[Bob from Florida]

I'm using it, made my own cable to plug it into miniDSP SHD's XLR inputs. I even did some measurements at some point, balanced connection brought the level noise down noticeably.

Did you happen to try the Zen without going through the DSP

 

[kokoon]

Did you happen to try the Zen without going through the DSP

I did, hooked it up to an AS-500 and it sounded great.

 

[audiopile]

Pozz is right- the Elac PPA-2 does have seperate grounds -10 ohm difference between the two terminals. I had been struck so positively by the sound of this Phono pre that it went into my GF's furniture and just stayed there. Finally pulled it out a few days ago to put a Bryston BP-1.5 in it's place and poped PPA-2's cover . Very pretty -the chassis ground lug comes off the back panel and via a very short ,nice n thick piece of wire is very securly bolted to a screw terminal mounted/welded to the bottom cover . You look over to the other end of the back plate and the third (safety ground) pin on the IEC AC input goes via another short n thick wire to a welded on screw terminal mounted onto the bottom cover. The other ground wire goes via another short and thick wire to the circuit board corner . In my set up I don't hear any difference between the grounds- this is a VERY quiet phono pre. Full disclosure: probably like most folks nutz enough to hook up four turntables into their system at one time -I'm used to chasing hum (usually ground loops in all their myriad glory) -since I went to Meridian DSP-5000 active speakers a couple of years ago - I seem to have a lot fewer "It doesn't know the words"moments. Guy who refurbished this house years before we moved in was a great craftsman in many areas -absolute idiot when it came to any form of wiring . No idea why the Meridian's seem immune to most hum/buzz issues ?

 

[Bob from Florida]

I did, hooked it up to an AS-500 and it sounded great.

Where you comparing to the internal phono preamp of the Yamaha or a different stand alone phono preamp?
It certainly is at a good price point for its capabilities.

 

[kokoon]

Where you comparing to the internal phono preamp of the Yamaha or a different stand alone phono preamp?
It certainly is at a good price point for its capabilities.

Yeah, compared it to Yamaha's internal phono. Wasn't very scientific (had to switch the cables each time), but I liked the Zen far better - simply clearer, more silent.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Yeah, compared it to Yamaha's internal phono. Wasn't very scientific (had to switch the cables each time), but I liked the Zen far better - simply clearer, more silent.

What table, arm, cartridge and gain setting are you using?

 

[kokoon]

What table, arm, cartridge and gain setting are you using?

Ah just a stock Rega P1 with a Nagaoka MP-110 :shrug:
Gain is the lowest (the only MM setting actually)

 

[Bob from Florida]

Ah just a stock Rega P1 with a Nagaoka MP-110 :shrug:
Gain is the lowest (the only MM setting actually)

That MP-110 is an over achiever at its price point. I tried one a few years ago and liked it.

 

[Tom C]

Did you choose one yet, pozz?

 

[pozz]

Did you choose one yet, pozz?

Not yet, although my trigger finger is itchy.

 

[arftech]

I like my Primare R35.

 

[pozz]

I like my Primare R35.

Looks very nice. Good input overload margin.

Primare R35 Phono Preamplifier Marginal Gain

Marginal Gain The popular 2M Red from Ortofon [HFN Oct '08], one of the highest output MMs available, still only produces 6.7mV (re. 1kHz/5cm/sec). However, you might be surprised to learn that with the most vigorous LP groove excursions (typically +15dB, and rarely +18dB), it is possible for...

www.hifinews.com

 

[antcollinet]

iFi Zen phono also has balanced output, I have one and I like it a lot.

OK - that looks interesting. My TT is a distance away from the rest of the audio gear. I really need balanced, and this seems to be at the right price.

EDIT: The connectors are expensive though.

 

[SCG]

Another option: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...hiit-skoll-balanced-phono-stage-review.48678/