Phono Preamp upgrade ?

[Graham Doggett]

I'm considering upgrading my phono preamp from a Rega Fono Mini and rather like the idea of a valve unit.
What is the general consensus on the Project Tube Box II ?
Would this match up well with my Denon DL160 ?
Graham.:)

[Graham Doggett]

I gather from the deathly silence that nobody has expreience or opinions re this preamp.

Graham.:confused:

[maxgate]

Graham, I have no experience of the Project gear, however forum member Paul (in another current thread) writes: "One last thing on my rant, if you go valve don't buy the Project tube phonostage. It is a cheat, it just uses valves as an output buffer, not in the RIAA stage!"

[Michael Wong]

I'm considering upgrading my phono preamp from a Rega Fono Mini and rather like the idea of a valve unit.
What is the general consensus on the Project Tube Box II ?
Would this match up well with my Denon DL160 ?
Graham.:)

I think I reviewed the Tube Box II ?

:confused:

Found it...
http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2007/project_phono.shtml

Still current I see.

Might not be 100% happy with your Denon which optimally requires ~50dB gain.
The Project offers 40dB for MM, 60dB for MC.

A lot depends on the rest of your system.

[Graham Doggett]

Might not be 100% happy with your Denon which optimally requires ~50dB gain.
The Project offers 40dB for MM, 60dB for MC.

Can you explain the significance of using a preamp with less than ideal gain ?
Other than having to use a bit more volume what does this do to the sound ?
Graham.

[bizzar]

I have been using the Project Phono Tube Box SEII for a few years now, I recently added a Denon 103R to the set up, last word is - no need to purchase another CD ever.
I'm using the 220ohm setting and have more than enough gain.
The whole thing sounds really dynamic, great soundstage etc, brilliant.

Cheers.

[bizzar]

Oh the TT is LP12 with Sumiko MMT arm via Project Tubes into Rotel RSP 1068 and then to the Perreaux 2150B and all is revealed through Yamaha NS 1000 Rosewoods.

[Michael Wong]

Might not be 100% happy with your Denon which optimally requires ~50dB gain.
The Project offers 40dB for MM, 60dB for MC.

Can you explain the significance of using a preamp with less than ideal gain ?
Other than having to use a bit more volume what does this do to the sound ?
Graham.

Noise can be a problem.

[Owen Young]

Lack of dynamic horsepower can also be a problem.

[Zolar Czakl]

I have a friend who uses the Project unit (Rega P5/Denon) and it sounds OK, a little too astringent for my ears but he's happy with it – I much prefer my (rather pricier) Icon PS1.

[wizard]

Hi Graham,
The Phono SEII with the 301 MrkII sounds great. Some reports have the Tube version sounding even better, some not. At least with both models you have a degree of loading control.
If the connection to preamp is clean - I have to turn volume way up just to get some hum thats past 3 oclock, then what is left at 10 oclock is loud enough for me with the 301.
Bizzar has some years of use with his tube version.
Pro's and cons either way.
Be nice if you could get one to try though.
Any agents do that?