Inexpensive Preamps, as in "Mega Cheap!"

[NewOldVinyl]

OK, since I'm the one who requested the creation of a preamp forum, I guess I better post something on it. Here's a mini-review of a couple of budget preamps, actually Budget! in bold and with an exclamation point. lol.

I do most of my listening through headphones, which even though they're excellent (Sennheiser HD-650), I'm not sure they can reveal the subtle nuances of different esoteric phono pre-amps. I've been using the phono section of a Proton stereo receiver, with generally pleasing results, no real complaints. The Proton has adjustable capacitance loading as a bonus.

On a whim, and while not wanting to risk a whole lot of money, I ordered a couple of very inexpensive separate preamps:

• ART DeeJay Pre II: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DeeJayPre/
• TCC TC-750: http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750pp.html

I received the ART DeeJay Pre II first, and it was defective. There was a constant "motorboating" sound in the right channel. I contacted the manufacturer, who referred me to the dealer, Sweetwater. Sweetwater exchanged it for me promptly, no hassle except for having to send the bad one back.

The bad news is the new one, although it works, just doesn't sound very good to me. Very harsh, not musical. On the positive side, it looks very rugged and I suppose if you're a DJ, you might like it for that reason. Sound-wise though, I think it's lacking.

On to the TCC TC-750. This preamp has excellent paper specs:

• RIAA freq response 20hz-20,000hz +/- 0.5dB
• S/N ratio >85dB
• THD <0.05%, input sensitivity 3.0mV
• Nominal / max output 300mV / 1.8V
• Output impedence 200 ohms, input 47kohm /220 pF
• CE certified
• gold-plated jacks
• black anodized metal casing
• ground wire terminal
• power indicator

The TCC unit also claims to not use op-amps, which I guess implies discrete circuitry?

I have to say the TC-750 sounds pretty good to me, and superior to the Proton receiver's built-in phono section. It's musical, clean, and it never sounds "strained". Also, the noise floor is *very* low, noticeably lower than the Proton. I like it enough that I'm using it full-time now.

For reference, my humble phono system consists of a Technics SL-1200MK2 with an OL1 Arm and Shure M97xE cartridge. It may not be high-end, but it's definitely capable of making music.

OK, that's my mini-review of a couple of the lowest of low-end phono preamps. If you're looking for something inexpensive that sounds decent, I can recommend the TCC TC-750. It's definitely suitable as a front-end to a consumer-grade PC sound card for digitizing your records, and it might be good enough for general listening too. It is for me anyway.

[bauzace50]

Hello NewOldVinyl,
Good of you to freely share your testimonial of two good products! May I say that Proton is one of the unheralded excellent brands, which I don't even know if they are still in the market. I have one Excellent AM/FM tuner from them. I understand that their parent company is NAD.
Just to add another Excellent preamp to your modest-cost models:
Creek OBH-9, WITH their optional extra-cost power supply OBH-2. It has given me Excellent sound and service with widely differing moving-coils.
The OBH-9 is discontinued, and I see NO owners moving them on. But they have newer models, which may just be an improvement on an already Excellent design.
Cheers,
bauzace50
PS- Your Sennheisser DH-650 are considered among the very top headphones, with all the virtues that you may care to look for! I have the DH-600, which are considered to be slightly behind yours!

[bully]

A VERY inexpensive preamp with an exceptional phono section is the Kenwood Basic C2.
It has provisions for MM & MC carts, and several loadings.
This was my first preamp. I still have one, can't seem to get round to selling it--it is that good, and I keep it in reserve if one of my "better" (more expensive) preamps ever fails.
I have also been hugely impressed by the phono sections of my Yamaha preamps (I have the CX-2 & C-80, and had the superlative C-2x). The Luxman C-383 also has a superb phono section.

[NewOldVinyl]

Have you tried the TCC unit with 12volt...or just AC?

The power adapter output is rated at 12VDC 200ma. It barely gets warm during operation, so the preamp's load is probably very low. It would be interesting to try a better-regulated source of 12VDC power, or even batteries.

Here's a photo of the preamp with the cover removed in case anyone's interested.

[Blue Angel]

Hi bully

I agree with the Kenwoods. I did not know there was a C2. I have a Kenwood Stereo Control Amplifier Basic C1, also with MC and MM stages on the button. Very good for what it cost.

blue