Add Phono Stage to PV15

[mstrshikadance]

I've been trying to research whether you are able to add the phono stage to the PV15.

I finally found one for sale but it doesn't have the phono card.

I love my current PV8 but I really want a remote

Any ideas or has anyone gone through the process before?

Thanks!

[AnotherJohnson]

I've been trying to research whether you are able to add the phono stage to the PV15.

I finally found one for sale but it doesn't have the phono card.

I love my current PV8 but I really want a remote

Any ideas or has anyone gone through the process before?

Thanks!

Oftentimes CJ can add a phono stage to their line level preamps.

But even better, find a nice TEA2 and plug it in.

[mstrshikadance]

that would be ideal! need to sell some equipment first!

[AnotherJohnson]

The phono cards are typically about $1500. Plus shipping and labor. So a used TEA2 is not likely to be too much more.

[AnotherJohnson]

I love my current PV8 but I really want a remote

Any ideas or has anyone gone through the process before?

I think Joe A. has said that one of the aftermarket CJ modifiers added a phono section to a PV preamp for him at one time. I’ll see if I can find the post.

One thing to remember is that the CJ remote has no functions relevant to vinyl playback. So lack of a remote is not a detriment to enjoying vinyl playback in a CJ system.

You could use the phono stage of your PV 8 in conjunction with the PV15.

Run your TT output to the PV 8. Take the tape out feed from the PV8 as a line level input to your PV15.

[AnotherJohnson]

It may not have been Joe, but I think the fellow who did this was Bill Thailman (?)

[Joe Appierto]

Yep, it was Bill Thalmann at Music Technology. https://www.musictechnology.com/about-us.html

He converted a PV10AL for me to a PV10A -- he was a design engineer at Conrad Johnson prior to branching out on his own.

AJ's suggestion of running the TT into the PV8 and then the output of the PV8 into the PV15 makes a lot of sense. If you have the room for both preamps it's something to consider. But, if you want a one-box solution then having Music Technology handle the conversion of the PV15AL would be a good way to go.

[AnotherJohnson]

Sad news about Bill Thalmann’s work bench.

Every time I check, it’s still full, and he says he’s not taking in new work until his backlog is cleared.

[Joe Appierto]

Bummer.

[mstrshikadance]

thanks for all the suggestions.

I've gotten my hands on the PV15 and decided to use the phono stage from my PV3 (as suggested above) as the phono for my PV15.

I love the simplicity of the circuit in the PV3 and actually quite like it more than my PV8, a little livelier IMO.

I will keep my eyes out for a good deal on a TEA2 going forward.

Thank ya'll for all the input!

[AnotherJohnson]

I posted a link to an RC-10 in your classified.

[mstrshikadance]

I love my current PV8 but I really want a remote

Any ideas or has anyone gone through the process before?

I think Joe A. has said that one of the aftermarket CJ modifiers added a phono section to a PV preamp for him at one time. I’ll see if I can find the post.

One thing to remember is that the CJ remote has no functions relevant to vinyl playback. So lack of a remote is not a detriment to enjoying vinyl playback in a CJ system.

You could use the phono stage of your PV 8 in conjunction with the PV15.

Run your TT output to the PV 8. Take the tape out feed from the PV8 as a line level input to your PV15.

How would you recommend running the gain knob on the PV8 in relation to the PV15?

Thanks.

[AnotherJohnson]

If you use record out as I suggested, the gain knob is not in the circuit.

[AnotherJohnson]

If you move to main out, the gain knob has impact, but two gain knobs in series usually degrades sound. You can use it for level matching.

[mstrshikadance]

If you move to main out, the gain knob has impact, but two gain knobs in series usually degrades sound. You can use it for level matching.

Appreciate all the help.

I am in the market for a new tube phono stage, but going to run it this way via my PV3 (which is quite small) for the time being.

Thank you!

[AnotherJohnson]

It seems as though I’ve always had two or more turntables for different purposes (one plays 78s, one has MM cartridge, one has HOMC, another LOMC, etc).

Before I started running multiple systems, I wanted to hook up more than one turntable in my system, but the preamp in use often would only have one phono input. Sometimes I would have one or more preamps on the shelf in reserve.

I remember cascading a PV 5 for its holographic MM phono section off my Krell two box preamp with LOMC capability so that I could run two TTs in the same system.

In my case, it was a stop gap measure and lead me through a long line of stand alone preamps. This had the benefit of opening me up to the consideration of line level only preamps. I’ve grown accustomed to the idea that purpose built, separate line and phono preamps are actually more flexible and more likely to reach a state of excellence.

As has always been my custom, I started with low cost solutions and worked up to things like the TEAx phono preamps and my current REF 3.

There’s a lot that can be learned as you experiment. There’s also more appreciation for what is excellent when you’ve worked your way up to it from things that a just functional.