Looking to jump back into LPs and would appreciate any insight as to good sounding phono preamps (separate),probably one with both mm and mc and in the $300-400 range maximum.The Creek OBH line has my interest,but I've no way to audition them.

Don't have a turntable either.My last turtable was a Kenwood KD-3055.I gave it away after a major water pipe break flooded the room with all the LPs (on the floor).Only a couple survived.This was around the time that CDs first came out and went in that direction.

So,in conjuction with a phono preamp,I'm looking at a turntable also.First choice would most likely be a used Thorens.

My audio system is an EAD Ovation and Powermaster 1000 running Aerial Acoustics Model 6's for the mains and Model 5's for center and rears.I use either a Sony DVD player or a CLD-95 LD player for cd listening.Decent sounding IMO.

Nothing over the top here.Just good enough to warrant the move back to analog.Thanks in advance!! :headscrat

Plenty of posts on this topic, so I'd encourage you to do a search (here and/or at AA).

Well-worth considering, IMNSHO, are the Bottlehead Seduction if you'd like to go with tubes, and/or the Hagerman Bugle if you're OK with SS.

http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/Seduction/seduction.htm

http://www.hagtech.com/bugle.html#bugle

Review of the Bugle (in the context of inexpensive SS phono preamps):
http://www.audioxpress.com/reviews/media/403hansen2090.pdf

Channel Island Audio is a great unit and fits on the low end of the price range. I auditioned it and the OBH, Grado and Channel island and liked the Channel island the best out of the bunch. Supports MM and MC. I would recommend upgrading the power supply from wall wart to their own power supply.

http://www.ciaudio.com/

BTW... I think a Thorens would be an excellent choice for starting (again).

If you're willing to go the vintage route, the relatively little known, and fairly rare Apt Holman preamp had a heck of a phono section. Not sure whether it had a MC input though.

If you care for Michael Fremer of "Stereophile", you could search their archives on-line for his reports. He has probably done a review of 30 'under $500' phono stages over the past 2-3 years. He generally does them several at a time. I thought quite highly of the NAD PP-2 I had for a while and is only about $150 with the larger PS. Have toyed with the thought getting another one and putting Black Gate caps to see what happens to the sound. You could start off with one and then upgrade when the mood strikes you. Try Audiogon.com for used.

Thanks for all of your responses.Many issues to ponder.I do like the thought of going the tube route.Thanks again.