My friend is starting to get interested in vinyl. His doesn't own anything with a phono stage built in and his speakers range from high end computer speakers to a large home theater in a box. Also his budget is non-existent. Does anyone have any experience with the ultra low end? Like $30 and under. I have this vague recollection of an old acquaintance buying one and it humming the whole time. I don't want to repeat the problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Check here for a couple of options in your price range. For $30, your not going to have the ultimate vinyl experience, but it'll get you in the game:

http://phonopreamps.com/

You might also choose to keep an eye out of a decent vintage receiver with a phono section. You might be able to buy a local, good quality receiver for under $30.

I have a Rolls VP-29. It's the only phono pre I own so I can't give any comparison information but it dosen't hum or exhibit any other problems. It was around $50 I think. It gets the job done.

Check here for a couple of options in your price range. For $30, your not going to have the ultimate vinyl experience, but it'll get you in the game:

http://phonopreamps.com/

You might also choose to keep an eye out of a decent vintage receiver with a phono section. You might be able to buy a local, good quality receiver for under $30.

Thanks for the link, I forwarded it to him. I know they aren't going to be great, but I don't think you can hear the difference with the speakers he has.

$16.99 on sale through the weekend:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Microphono-PP400-Phono-Preamp?sku=187200

I just today ordered one.

I'm using one of the TCC's from preamps.com, and found it better than expected. They have a wide variety of offerings in their line-up, too. That Behringer beatcomber linked you looks like an affordable solution, too, though I've had no experience with it.

I'm using one of the TCC's from preamps.com, and found it better than expected. They have a wide variety of offerings in their line-up, too. That Behringer beatcomber linked you looks like an affordable solution, too, though I've had no experience with it.

I agree, even for 19.99 it looks good.

I'm not sure if they are still available, but several years ago I bought several little battery operated phono stages from Radio Shack Online. They are a nice little MM phono stage that runs off a 9 volt battery and they were about $15 or $20 a piece. They don't sound too bad either.

As a previous posted said, they aren't the ultimate phono experience, but they will get you in the game. (They'll be enough to give you the vinyl fever too!) :music::D

Tell him to check out one of these made by Audio technica so it should be a decent sounding phono pre and it will probably hold it's resale value should he decide to upgrade.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=191109

I'm not sure if they are still available, but several years ago I bought several little battery operated phono stages from Radio Shack Online. They are a nice little MM phono stage that runs off a 9 volt battery and they were about $15 or $20 a piece. They don't sound too bad either.

As a previous posted said, they aren't the ultimate phono experience, but they will get you in the game. (They'll be enough to give you the vinyl fever too!) :music::D

I have one of these and it works fine. For my low-buck Sony stereo and turntable it sounds fine. I bought it 3 years ago for about $30.

I noticed that Radio Shack does not sell it any longer, though they do have 2 pre-amps for $30 or less.

There are some circles of audio enthusiasts who will ONLY use a battery-powered phono preamp. The idea is a fluctuation-free supply and ultra low noise level on the supply. Good idea. The early Fisher SS phono stages were run from battery power IIRC. That combo Microphone/Phono pre for 19.99 looks pretty decent. But of course, 100 bucks will get you way better.

Try goodwill for a used receiver... he can use the phono stage in it until he finds some decent used speakers.... I have seen quite a few for $15 that more than likely have better phono stages than what you can buy new for that kind of money.

Try goodwill for a used receiver... he can use the phono stage in it until he finds some decent used speakers.... I have seen quite a few for $15 that more than likely have better phono stages than what you can buy new for that kind of money.

Quite true; just tap into the receiver on a Tape output and you're all set

Why not screw something like this together and use two 9V batteries to power it?

http://sound.westhost.com/project06.htm

mike

I've had the TC-750 from phonopreamps.com for over a year and have been very satisfied with it. :music:

The TCC has an excellent rep. I been looking at one myself as an add-on experiment.