Cheap phono stages—how good are they?*

do you use a MM or MC with the MANI?

 

Hi.

I own the Cambridge CP2. It's solid state and provides MM & MC capability. It's listed in your link for Best Budget Pre-amps above.

My experience has been its sonics are much better defined than simply using my receiver's phono loop. I bought it on ebay like new for about $150 including shipping.

CP2

 

Learned a long time ago no such thing as a cheap phono stage & they can make or break your system
but you do get excellent & bad low cost designs

 

I 'm very happy with the Tisbury audio Domino pre amp +- 160 £
Tisbury Audio

 

No I don't.
I agree that it has limited settings but it has more settings than the
Little Bear T8

And I do believe you will not find a full fledged MC RIAA in your price range anyway.
But this is a good MM that you can add a SUT to and grow with.

Here is a guy that tries the MC setup with Mani:

 

This;https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...nostage-kits-modules-and-power-supply.873413/

 

For the "hum noise issue" they have fixed that in the new version.

 

Did anyone made audio comparisons between the two variants of the Schiit Mani? I don't recall seeing actual in-depth discussions online from what I can sift through.

 

This is the one of the few things that I could find.

New Schiit Mani

 

One other thing about the Bugle: despite being housed in a plastic case, it had no hum or noise issues.

John K.

 

Regarding the new version of Mani vs old, that is.

 

it doesn't lead to a valid link

 

but i still don't understand if i get an ready to use item , or i have to do things before it?

 

Schiit Mani phono preamp

Not really a full review, but the author does discuss the hum and RFI issues and concludes:

"Present Mani owners know how good the Mani can be, and for those who were put off by reports of the hum and RF interference, if you’re still in the market, I urge you to re-visit as I can, without equivocation, recommend the $129 Schiit Mani as an absolute bargain and able performer."

I am seriously considering picking up one of these. My current amp (vintage Yamaha A-1000) is in need of some servicing and my other preamp (Acurus L10) is line stage only. The Schiit seems like an economical, short term solution while the A-1000 is temporarily out of commission.

 

Already assembled.

John K.

 

my thing is that i still not sure if going on a solid state phono stage , or a tube one, which i usually prefer it's sound, although i'm aware of it's some disadvantages compare to solid state .

 

Better hope you don't live near radio or TV stations with this thing. I wouldn't touch anything in a plastic case like that in my area.

 

Bottom line, there are zero advantages of a tube phono stage on a very limited budget. I think that's what people have been trying to tell you.

 

I believe this model has been replaced by the newer Alva Duo model. There is no MC loading on either of these, it appears the Duo is fixed at 100 ohms. Not sure if that is a good match for the OP's cart or not. The Duo did perform well on bench tests, but I have not heard it. At least with CA products you typically get a decent return policy through a large retailer if it doesn't work out.

 

I've been beating that drum for a while. It's difficult for some who underestimate the value of a good phono stage how much of a difference-maker it is and how quality is worth the price when a cheaper price will almost always provide mediocre quality.

 

i quiet agree with that.
The emphasis is : "on a very limited budget".

 

i feel that it's kind of a general statement, which of course no one can argue with.
since i have right now a "mediocre" system , and i don't know to what kind of upgrade i'm going in future ( and i think that the match is also part of the decision) , i feel that there is no point to invest in a expansive phono stage.

 

I'll say the Littlebear T11, with the right tubes it sounds really good. Not bad for a clone of the EAR 834p. And if you like to tinker with things you can replace some of the stock capacitors and it sounds even better.

 

i'm not sure it has enough gain for a LOMC .
it's official definition is MM.

 

I believe you are correct, I've read about people adding a sut for their lomc carts.