Buying A Phono Preamp Necessary?

[shaizada]

Parasound gear with VPI is a really good sound.  It's a great direction to go into.

[ajxd]

The amount we have in common is insane. The next amplification I'm looking to get is the Parasound Halo P3 and A23. How do you like yours? And I'm really seriously looking at VPI.

 

I cheated on speakers though, I have a pair of B&W CM5s.

 

I'd re-think the P3... the model is old, now discontinued, and generally... badly reviewed. I went with 2100 and 2125. New model preamp, greatly, professionally reviewed. But, my first idea was A23/P3. Then after about 3 months, I just pulled the trigger on the New Classic combo. And funny, I at one point was looking at the CM5s. But... now leaning towards the Ascend Sierras.

[mattalica17]

i wish i knew stuff

[ajxd]

Never too late to learn!

[thirdfromthesun]

I'd re-think the P3... the model is old, now discontinued, and generally... badly reviewed. I went with 2100 and 2125. New model preamp, greatly, professionally reviewed. But, my first idea was A23/P3. Then after about 3 months, I just pulled the trigger on the New Classic combo. And funny, I at one point was looking at the CM5s. But... now leaning towards the Ascend Sierras.

 

Really, from what I've read it seems like the P3 is pretty well liked for its price. Plus my local stereo store still has it in stock, and that's where I would be buying it from. He'd probably give me a pretty good deal on it too since it's discontinued.

 

I haven't looked at the New Classic line yet, I've only experienced the Halo line. Do you know if they ever replaced the P3 with something similar in price? Thee P7 is $2000 and the JC2 is about the same I think.

 

If you're still looking for speakers, Golden Ear is supposed to be out of this world. They have both towers and bookshelfs.

 

Or you could really support America and buy a pair of Wilson Alexandrias.

[mattalica17]

Never too late to learn!

i keep reading your posts and i think i'm picking up a little bit. b4 i knew that my receiver made sounds from my record player come out of my speakers

[torres]

Glad I found this thread. Had found some nifty speakers with RCA cables to hook into my receiver thinking the receiver was the power source. I thought I was all set. Had the volume on the receiver maxed out and the music was barely audible. Now I'm looking for an amp to power the speakers up.

[slinch]

 

I cannot even count the amount of wrongs in your post. Here's what I want you to do, post pics or model names of everything you have and I'll tell you how to use it properly.

[chubbler108]

One of the biggest upgrades I ever did was upgrading a $40 ART preamp to a $400 Pro-ject Tube Box II. When I had the $40 preamp, I was honestly going to sell the few records that I had and never listen to vinyl again. After upgrading, I never looked back. 

[kannibal]

This is a great example of Slinch's suggestion to try to buy something good, that hold some value on the resale market, to see if you like records as a medium. It can apply to all links in the chain. And while it certainly applies to the digital chain, it is even more important in analog reprodution.