Matched and lovin it

[poppachubby]

Poppa,

I reread that post about the preamp buffer and basically from what I understand is that you plug all your components into the pre and then run it through the tape outs, thus bypassing any equalization and then plug it into the phono stage of your receiver for the RIAA equalizing? I also looked at some of those recommended old choices are still really expensive. I can always dream.

Eno, you are looking at Salvatore's choices. But consider this, if you could find a cheap or defunct EICO, Dynaco, etc. and use this concept, you would have a sweet azz, powerhouse phono stage for a song.

A busted azz tube pre might cost you $50. Here's an Ebay example...http://cgi.ebay.ca/DYNACO-PAS-2-TUBE...item5887c84084 A tube tech would charge you probably $200-300 to mod it to your specs and bam!! The great thing with the 12AX7 pre's are that they don't cost a fortune to tube. Even the Jolida JD9 can't be had for that cheap, and you would have something that could make the Jolida blush.

OOOOoooooo, an unassembled kit, real sweet! http://cgi.ebay.ca/Vintage-Dynaco-PA...item3a5b345d5e

As an example, here's a guy I found near you...http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...755737250.html

If he charges too much find a guy who doesn't. I bought my EICO HF-85 for $100 fully functional with original tubes. So working or not, a tech can mod it and make it into a real gem for a reasonable price.

As for the tape outputs I think he explains the reasons pretty good. With a phono signal you want as much noise isolation as possible.

Here's a wacky guy who may be able to help you...http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...747537692.html

I don't see alot of stuff for pre amps, BUT, here's an example of a tubed piece for a decent price in working condition, also he says he has more. Why not call him??....http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...759512683.html

Essentially you would be putting out a marginal amount of cash for a piece that would perform well out of it's range. Apologies about the rambling post. If it were me, I would buy that unassembled kit and give it to a tech who in turn could build you something really sweet.