Hi All,

I am looking to making the plunge to vinyl and was wondering if a Tube preamp is a worthy investment. I am looking at a music hall 5.1 turntable and I was considering the Bellari 130 tube phono preamp. I am running a 990/7700 combo with Aperion 6T towers. On a side note, I also have a rr2150 with NHT 2.5i mains for my stereo listening. Does anyone know how the phono sections compare on the two units? I am not sure which unit I will use the turntable on, but I am leaning towards the 990 combo for now. Thanks!!

I would try the MusicHall table without the Bellari to see how you like it first. I use the 990 phono stage and I love it. The Bellari has a good rep but why spend $$$ if you don't have to.

I'm using the 5.1 with the 990 phono stage and am quite happy with it, but maybe I don't have the requisite "golden ears" - worth a try, for sure. (PSB 6Ts, Energy Center & Surrounds, etc.)

I liked the 990 phono section,but liked it better when I added a Pro-ject Phono box SE

Thanks All. I order the Music Hall, so I should have it on Monday. I hope I like it. I am holding off on the preamp.

Thanks again!!

Anthony L, any specifics about why you chose the Music Hall? I have looked at them before as a replacement and would like to know how it performs for you. I have an old Technics 1200 and a big album collection which I almost never play since I got "digitized". For me it is not a sound thing but more of a convenience thing as digital is just so easy. I do love my old music though. I am going to set up a music only system in my bedroom.

Xenon -

A technics 1200, even an "old" one, is a really decent turntable. While you lose a little isolation from the direct drive when compared to a belt, the speed accuracy and stability makes up for it. I actually bought a new one a few years ago from KAB, who adds back the dust cover and sells some accessories for them like record clamps, etc.

Considering the engineering that has gone into the 1200, they are a really good deal. Not to mention they will run forever.

Mine is a little harsh in the midrange, so at some point I may go to a different cartridge. I had thought previously it might be my phono preamp (a Nohr ACA), but it's not really any different through the 990 I acquired recently.

I'm about to add a tube/SS hybrid amp to the system to see if that helps. I've never quite gotten back the warm sound I had in my system as a teenager when I had a Dual TT, Ortofon MC cartridge, and an old Heathkit tubed receiver. If it isn't just old ears, I am hoping this brings it back to both the vinyl as well as my digital stuff.

Anyway, I'd look at trying a new cart out on your Technics before dropping a bunch of $$ on the Music Hall, since you already have it. You can find a lot of useful info and parts for them here:

http://www.kabusa.com/sl1200mk5.htm

There were also a lot of threads over at Audiocircle about the 1200 and different cartridges to use on it. I have the Ortofon Pros30 or 40 (can't remember which at the moment), and obviously wouldn't recommend it based on my experience at the moment.

Don't get me wrong, the 1200 still kicks butt but it is at least 20 years old. It will eventually fail and I will need a new one. I like to know whats out there.

I just researched turnatbles and the Music Hall kept coming up in my price range. I was torn between the Music hall 2.1 and 5.1 and I just decided to take the plunge. The Technics is a great player. I should get the Music hall some time today, so I am hoping I m happy with it.

I am sure you will be. Let us know how well you like it. What kind of vinyl music do you listen to?

Thanks. I am really enjoying the turntable. I have hooked up to my rr2150 right now. I listen to mostly rock. I picked up Led Zeppelin Mothership and Muddy Waters Folk Singer. I just ordered Radiohead in rainbows and Diana Krall(trying something new). I also have a ton of old LP's. I am open to suggestions:)

Has any one found thhe 990 phono section to be very bright? I am not sure if it's my Aperion speakers or the preamp section. I tried the phono input on both my 990 and rr2150 and I prefer the rr2150 right now. I am not sure if it's that my NHT 2.5i are more layed back than my Aperion 6t's. Anyone else find the 990 to be bright in the phono department?

I have found the mids a little glaring. But with my present TT, I also found my previous phono stage that way. I just got a new amp last week that has improved my system quite a lot in this area, but have not played any vinyl through it yet. Once I have done so, I'll let you know if it's changed, which would mean it was more my previous amp than the 990. I tend to believe it is probably the amp.

It was actually a damaged stylus. All is good now. The 990/7700 and music hall combo sounds very nice.

In my case, as I suspected, it was my amp. Vinyl shows the same improvement as my digital sources did.