Hi,
If I want two Technicses routed into OT I assume will need a pre-amp…
In my local store they are selling a cheap one, ART DJPRE II.
However I’ve seem someone using a Radial Engineering J33
Art DJPRE II is €60, the Radial €280
Looking at forums, some say Art is perfect, some say miles difference. Bet seldom have I read experience with Octatrack. I am no Audiophile just wanna produce some music.
What would you suggest to buy?
I think you answered your own question. I’d go with the ART. And if you want to invest in improvements, first get the best cartridge/needle you can afford. And care for your vinyl - washing them properly makes a big difference, and use decent inner sleeves to keep them mint.
Thanks but I hward something about RIAA and weak bass with the Art Pre, is this true that otger preamps like iFi Zen Phono gives you better sound?
I’m a bit of a Technics collector… I don’t know the ART personally but have the iFi Zen on my GR and it’s better compared to the built-in one on the 1500C I used before. But moving from an Ortofon Red to Bronze made a much bigger difference - I’d rather have the bronze with an average preamp than an entry level cartridge with a premium preamp. RIAA is RIAA and you can only do so much there. On my other set up I use the Parks Puffin preamp which is awesome - because it’s a DSP! Heresy according to some analog purists but I love its sound and versatility.
Or another thought - just get a DJ mixer with proper preamps and an aux send. Can’t go wrong with Allen & Heath. You can use it on both OT inputs but also for a traditional DJ set up. That’s what I do.
One more suggestion - traktor audio 6 or 10 USB interface have decent preamps and allow you to pass through your turntable’s audio to line level. And you’re sorted for DVS as well if you want to hook it up to a computer.
That’s what I’d do too with 2 turntables…
With only 1, I’d hesitate with a preamp…
Hello, I use Art DJPRE II with a technics SL 1200 MKII. I find the quality excellent and match the setup I have. I’m not an audiophile neither, but my vinyl seller (who is an audiophile) say it’s really great for that price.
He also told me something important, the audio quality is at best at the cheaper part you have.
Don’t buy a 500€ preamp if you have a 50€ cartridge.
To hear the differences, you have the needle, the cartdridge, the wires between needle and cartridge, the arm, the preamp and the speakers… Try to be in the same category for evething.