PHONO PREAMPS AT KABUSA.COM


Record Players	Phono Preamps	Phono Cartridges	Needles Belts	Record Cleaners	Record Sleeves	KAB Cables	Sound Accessories
Home Page		Info Page		Show Cart		Check Out	Contact Us

What's On This Page?	A Phono Preamp Is The Gateway From Your Turntable To The Rest Of The Audio World! Thank You for Choosing KAB	FAQ	INFO	HELP

Do I Need? Vintage EQ Curves? A Simple Preamp? Moving Coil Booster? To Connect To A SoundCard? A LF Rumble Filter Interconnect Cables		Related Links -Special Deals - Gain Computer - RIAA Computer -Interconnects

**Basic Phono Preamps**
Rolls VP29 MM Preamp		Rolls GCi404 MM Preamp, Line, Mic, Instrument Mixer
	Only $49.95	Only $84.95
MC MM :MM AC POWERED :YES GAIN :35dB ADJUSTABLE :NO # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :47K Ohm NOISE FIGURE :-80dB HEADPHONE OUT :NO Higher quality preamp for critical listening and transferring to CD etc. Small and compact. Can be located anywhere.		MC MM :MM AC POWERED :YES GAIN :38dB ADJUSTABLE :YES # Inputs :3 LOAD :47K Ohm NOISE FIGURE :-80dB HEADPHONE OUT :YES 1 Phono, 1 Line, 1 Microphone, and 1 Istrument with mixing capability. Use independantly or installs in PC drive bay. Very, very cool!
TOP

**Hi Quality MM Phono Preamps**
Creek OBH-15 MK2 MM/MC Preamp		Bellari VP-130 MM Preamp W/ Headphone Amp		Bellari VP530 Computer Audio Interface
	Only $595 Or Click Here For A Special Offer		Only $225 Spare Tube $15.00		Only $325
MC MM :MM/MC AC POWERED :YES GAIN :40-70dB ADJUSTABLE :YES # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :47K/500 NOISE FIGURE :-76dB HEADPHONE OUT :NO Actual Front Panel Color is Black. Discrete transistor circuitry offers very quiet hiss free sound with lots of detail. Adjustable gain and loading Read More...		MC MM :MM AC POWERED :YES GAIN :39dB Max ADJUSTABLE :Gain/Headphone # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :47K Ohm NOISE FIGURE :-75dB HEADPHONE OUT :YES Tube phono stage offers warmth and harmonic detail not found in other designs. Headphone output is a nice addition. This reminds us alot of the NYAL Super IT! Anyone remember that? The New VP-130 features a lower noise power supply. In Stock Now.		AC POWERED :YES GAIN :39dB Max ADJUSTABLE :Gain/Headphone EQ :RIAA/FLAT OUTPUT :Analog, USB # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :47K Ohm NOISE FIGURE :-75dB HEADPHONE OUT :YES Essentially a hi end archival phono stage. Features analog and USB outputs. Allows for RIAA and flat eq transfers. Built in switchable rumble filter. Tube phono stage offers warmth and harmonic detail not found in other designs. Level controls for main out and headphones. Analog and USB
		TOP

**Hi Quality MM/MC Phono Preamps**
Music Hall PA1.2 MM/MC Preamp		Grado PH-1 MM / MC Preamp
	$150.00		$500.00 No Longer Available See Creek OBH15MK2
MC MM :BOTH AC POWERED :YES GAIN :40/60dB ADJUSTABLE :NO # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :47K // 120pF NOISE FIGURE :-86/75dB HEADPHONE OUT :NO Another great performance value from Music Hall. Read More...		MC MM :BOTH AC POWERED :YES GAIN :40dB/60dB ADJUSTABLE :NO # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :47K Ohm NOISE FIGURE :N/A HEADPHONE OUT :NO What is so significant about the PH-1 is the fact that the technical superiority claims absolutely correlate to an unprecedented improvement in openness, greater depth of field and increased definition to the sound of each musical instrument. The PH-1 offers a true freedom from past sonic problems along with Grado's usual warm, smooth, full bodied, non-fatiguing and rich sound qualities that everyone has embraced.Read More...

**MC Step-Ups , Rumble Filters & Cables**
Bellari MT502 MC Step Up Transformer		KAB RF-1 Transparent Rumble Filter		ART Mogami Cables
	Only $399.95		Only $179.95	Click On The Cables To See Our Selection Of Cables
MC MM :MC AC POWERED :Not Required GAIN :20/30dB ADJUSTABLE :LOAD SETTINGS/GROUND # TURNTABLES :1 INPUT LOAD :50/100 OHM OUTPUT LOAD :50K THD :0.02% TURNS RATIO :22:1 or 32:1 Superb step up tranformer offer practically noise free gain allowing the use of low output MC cartridges with standard MM phono preamp Read More...		MC MM :NA AC POWERED :YES GAIN :UNITY ADJUSTABLE :NO # TURNTABLES :1 LOAD :10kOhm NOISE FIGURE :-85dB HEADPHONE OUT :NA The KAB RF-1 effectively suppresses lateral rumble below 20Hz and vertical rumble below 200Hz. Effectively supresses acoustic feedback and woofer pumping. Read More...
		TOP

**Audiophile Phono Preamps**
KAB EQS MK12 Disc Remastering Phono Preamp
	No Longer Available
MC MM :MM/MC AC POWERED :YES GAIN :Front End: 36dB/56dB. Line stage: -12 +15dB ADJUSTABLE :Gain. Load Resistance. Mono Mix. 12 Response Curves # TURNTABLES :2 LOAD :10 - 1000 Ohm MC // 600pF. 10K - 100K Ohm MM // 100pF. NOISE FIGURE :-85dB MM, -75dB MC HEADPHONE OUT :NO Hybrid transistor/ IC circuitry offers low noise sound with lots of detail. Full Resistive loading especially for MM's offers greater control over cartridge sound. Rumble filter, Mono function with Mono Mix control, Line stage with additional -12 to +15dB of gain. Read More...
TOP

**Archival Phono Preamps**
KAB VSP MK2 Vintage Signal Processor / Preamp
	No Longer Available
MC MM :MM AC POWERED :YES GAIN :36dB ADJUSTABLE :Mono Mix. EQ. Hi cut Filters. # TURNTABLES :1 with hardwire phono bypass LOAD :47kOhm MM // 100pF. NOISE FIGURE :-80dB HEADPHONE OUT :NO Designed primarily for 78 rpm and other mono era recordings. Here is a customer supplied link using the VSP MK2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JCLm2ouDg0 These are built to order, and typical build time is 2-3 weeks. You can reserve one now by using the custom order option at checkout. No prepayment neccessary. Read more.

TOP

What's On This Page?	FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PHONO PREAMPS Thank You For Choosing KAB	TOP	INFO	HELP

What is a phono preamp or phono stage?
Your new record player features a magnetic phono cartridge and stylus. The phono cartridge converts the mechanical movement of the stylus into electrical signals, very small electrical signals. In order for your stereo to make use of these tiny signals, they must first be amplified- that is the job of the phono preamp. It boosts the tiny cartridge signals to a usable level that can then go on to an AUX input in your stereo or a soundcard in your computer.
How do I know if I need a phono preamp?
You will need a phono preamp if:
-Your stereo is lacking phono inputs; many new stereo's leave this connection out.
-The input selector on your stereo has no phono position.
-You want to connect your turntable to a computer sound card .
-You are replacing a record player that had a flip over style needle.
Do the more expensive models sound better?
Yes. In audio, the choice of parts and design have a great impact on overall sound quality. Designs which use discrete devices will be the most expensive because they usually involve tedious device testing and selection. Discrete designs produce more lifelike fidelity with lower noise and better soundstage presentation than IC designs. This is most likely due to the selection process which lets a designer optimize every aspect of the design. IC's, by their very nature, don't allow this degree of optimization.
Is a phono stage also an equalizer?
Yes. One of the most important jobs of the phono preamp is to provide the RIAA equalization. When a record is made, the bass sounds are attenuated and the treble sounds are boosted. This is done in a precise manner according to the RIAA response curve. Upon playback, the phono preamp reverses this process, boosting the bass sounds and attenuating the treble sounds precisely. The result is accurate reproduction.
Why is equalization required?
Mostly an outcome of history, the EQ process reduces surface noise just like Dolby NR works in tape playback. This was a boon for the 78 RPM medium and early vinyl. Todays vinyl is a pretty quiet medium and over the years it has been suggested to eliminate the treble part of the EQ curve, but it never happened. The Bass EQ has the very useful effect of getting more music on the record. The number of grooves per inch is related to the groove width and bass sounds if unattenuated, make huge grooves!
Is RIAA the only EQ curve?
No. The progress of disc recording can actually be measured by the advance of the EQ curve. It started with very gentle curves in the early 30's climaxing with a very steep curve in the 40's favored by broadcasters for it's noise reduction quality, and then settled back a little finalizing with what we know as the RIAA curve. Our Souvenir EQS MK12 exploits this historical perspective with 12 selectable EQ curves.
Why do my speakers jump in and out when I play records?
You are seeing what is commonly called "rumble". This is very low frequency energy much of which is cut in the groove by the disc cutting process.
This can and should be removed carefully so the bass is not affected. The device that does this is called a rumble filter. This filter will have a very steep cut-off around 20 Hz and may use advanced canceleing techniques to supress both lateral and vertical rumble. Done properly, fidelity will improve because there will be less IM distortion from the speakers, and reduced affects of acoustic feedback.
KAB has a very hi performance rumble filter model RF-1.
What about Moving Coil cartridges?
Low output moving coil phono cartridges require either a dedicated phono stage or a pre preamp that boosts the MC signal up to the level of a moving magnet cartridge. Our PRE-MC can do that. Our EQS MK2, and 12 can accommodate most any cartridge.

TOP

What's On This Page?	INFORMATION PHONO PREAMPS Thank You For Choosing KAB	FAQ	TOP	HELP

The phono preamp is a very important part of your stereo system. If records are a major part of your music library, then this should be of interest to you. We often lose sight of the degree of technology represented by the LP record. As we learn more about this technology, it becomes even more amazing that it is capable of the fidelity we cherish so much. Todays vinyl is a very quiet carrier for music. The phono preamp must not produce noise or hiss that covers over the quietest sounds in the recording. Noise is one of the most important parameters in preamp design. The better designs feature discrete devices in their circuits. These devices can be hand selected for low noise parameters. In IC designs, there is always compromise. With that said though , todays modern IC's are capable of very good noise performance. Accurate equalization is also very important. It is often said that the main culprit responsible for two preamps sounding different is the accuracy of the RIAA response. The math used to compute these networks is very straight forward and frankly, there is no excuse for accuracy outside a 1 dB window. And most hi quality preamps should beat that easily. (Click for KAB RIAA Computer.) The gain of the preamp is usually determined by the kind of phono cartridge you have. Moving Magnet cartridges will work well with about 37dB of gain. Low output moving coils need 55- 60dB. High output moving coils will usually work with a MM preamp but with some increase in overall system noise. If you have a wide variety of different cartridge technologies, then a preamp with variable gain might be a good choice. OUTPUT LEVEL CONSIDERATIONS To Maintain the best signal to noise ratio your phono preamp gain should compliment the output of your phono cartridge. The table below is a good guide to follow. Higher gains than necessary will reduce the overload margin and increase hiss. Try our gain computer below. Look up your cartridge output and type it into the space provided. The optimum gain of your phono stage will be calculated. The optimum gain is based on achieving 325mV rms output at 5 cm/s. For the current crop of CD recorders, 300mV is required for 0dB recording level with the recorder's level control set at max. Aiming for 325mV gives a little margin. If you want to know the gain of your existing preamp and all you have is a Sensitivity specification, type that into the second line and the dB gain of your preamp will be computed. The Sensitivity calculation is based on an output of 250 mV. That is still the standard for this specification though it really doesn't reflect the real world requirements when it comes to digital recording. If you know the gain and the maximum output, you can compute the maximum input overload. This is the maximum output generated by the phono cartridge, that the preamp can properly amplify without distortion. The Gain Factor is the maximum amplification produced by the preamp at the lowest RIAA frequency 25 Hz. It is an impressive figure to behold. It should give you a greater appreciation of your record player's sensitivity to seismic energy and the importance of vibration isolation.
KAB PHONO PREAMP PARAMETER CALCULATOR
OUTPUT(@5CM/S) mV SENSITIVITY mV GAIN MAX OUT dB Vrms	OPTIMUM GAIN dB GAIN dB OVERLOAD mV@1kHz	GAIN FACTOR X @ 25hZ
Copyright © 2001 KAB All Rights Reserved. http://www.kabusa.com
Chart of Typical Gain Values Output Gain 3 - 6 mV 36dB 1 - 3 mV 43dB 0.3 - 1.0 mV 53dB 0.15 - 0.3 mV 60DB
TOP

What's On This Page?	HELP USING THIS PAGE PHONO PREAMPS Thank You For Choosing KAB	FAQ	INFO	TOP

The Index Pages have three main attributes:

The Control Bar which features the Subject and click on points for Page, Frequently Asked Questions, Additional Subject Information and the Help page your viewing now. Use the Control Bar to navigate through the Index.
The MORE Button takes you to a full detailed page on that model.
The Shopping Cart Buttons
Quantity, Buy and View control your ordering activity. Select the Quantity and left click the Buy Now button to place the item in your cart. Left click the Show Cart button to see what you have purchased so far.
Java Script Errors
The cart program uses very basic JavaScript 1.0 programming so most browsers(IE3 or newer) should perform well with it. If you should have trouble or receive error messages. Let us know about it. And for the time being, click here for the Manual Order Form.

TOP