TCC TC-760LC BLACK Moving Magnet / Moving Coil Phono Preamp w/Level Control

by Phono Preamps

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 1.5 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000J2JFWI
• Item model number: TC-760LC BLACK
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,565 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #20 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Receivers & Amplifiers > Component Preamplifiers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 20, 2009

Product Description

The NAD PP-2 is a great product; for years it has ruled the roost among MM/MC preamps. But our TC-760LC aims to change that. Additional features like an output level control, ability to connect MM and MC turntables simultaneously (selecting between them at the push of a switch), and selectable hi/lo MC input inpedance make the TC-760LC the better value; superior specs make it the better choice as well. A price way below the NAD provides the frosting on this particular cake! Again, you are purchasing the BLACK VERSION. To find the silver version, enter B004RYYC4U in the Amazon search bar. Now includes our improved REGULATED AC power supply usable worldwide!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great preamp, with a caveat, March 6, 2010

By 

Maro Riofrancos - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TCC TC-760LC BLACK Moving Magnet / Moving Coil Phono Preamp w/Level Control (Electronics)

This is a smooth sounding preamp, and the price is right. My one disappointment is that I had assumed you'd be able to connect two moving coil turntables at the same time and switch between them, but you can't. You could connect one MC and one MM turntable simultaneously, but I don't use MM cartridges. I place the blame on myself, for not doing a little research and reading the small print. Otherwise, you forget it's there, which is the whole point. I'm about to get a tube preamp, costing several times as much, for my other MC turntable. I'll then be able to compare it to this one and hear whether the extra money was worth it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth and refined, July 9, 2011

By 

Sailor Jim - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TCC TC-760LC BLACK Moving Magnet / Moving Coil Phono Preamp w/Level Control (Electronics)

I searched out this unit because I thought I had a MC cartridge. Didn't. Cabled it up and had distortion, but didn't read the unit's instructions thoroughly. After writing a complaint, I received a reply from the vendor and found that I needed to use the MM inputs and plug into my receiver's high level inputs. Damn everything was smooth and refined when I did that. Distortion was completely gone and the analog harmonics were all there played faithfully from my old Shure V15 cartridge. No hum, little hiss from the surface dust. Ed did a good job of working with me and I love my vinyl again. The level control was especially useful.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tough to Beat Value, December 17, 2009

By 

J. Cordova - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TCC TC-760LC BLACK Moving Magnet / Moving Coil Phono Preamp w/Level Control (Electronics)

I am not (yet) an extremely discriminating audiophile nor do I have experience with many different turntables and associated analog audio gear (like preamps). However, having owned this preamp for over 6 months now and having played hundreds of hours worth of LPs using it, I can say that it was well worth the purchase price.

I run the preamp between my KAB modified classic Technics SL1210 mk2 TT and my Denon AVR-1910. I primarily use the highly recommended AT440Mla (moving magnet) cartridge.

With the gear above, I can say with confidence the TC-760LC is a great match. I have considered "upgrading" to a better known and more expensive preamp such as the Cambridge Audio 640P or even a tube preamp like the Rolls VP130. However, I am so satisfied with this preamp that I cannot convince myself that any such purchase would be worth it. I mostly have used the moving magnet input because I have only a couple of MM carts (both ATs) and one high-output MC cart (DL-160). I bought the DL-160 used on a-gon and it seems either to be damaged or faulty or not a very good match for the gear I have. The DL-160 is more "open" sounding presenting an apparently larger sound stage, but the AT440Mla is more detailed and capable of handling difficult recordings with ease.

I know the above seems to explain more about my gear than about the TC-760LC itself, but to present a good review I felt it necessary to provide that background. From what I have read online different TTs, tonearms, carts, etc. match better with different preamps. So, if your budget or existing gear is much more expensive than what I have outlined above, the TC-760LC probably would not be a good match for you. On the other hand, if your rig is in any way close to mine (much more budget/value oriented), I can say you most likely will be happy with the TC-760LC preamp.

Finally, I would like to explain that I rated the preamp a 4 out of 5 stars because 1) I rarely rate anything a "perfect" 5 stars because most items are not close enough to perfect to justify 5 stars and 2) I have almost nothing to compare the TC-760LC preamp to. Prior to my current set of gear I had an extremely budget friendly ION USB turntable (mostly plastic construction w/ generic cartridge & built-in preamp). This preamp alone costs more than I paid for the ION TT so obviously it is superior to the built-in preamp in the ION. Beyond that I only can pass along info on a short thread I found on vinylengine that compared the 640P to the TC-750 (similar to the TC-760LC). In a blind test in the thread one person preferred the TC over the 640P. That suggests to me that the "upgrade" might not be much of one. Furthermore, the gear used in that test was similar to the gear I use.

I hope this helps you decide whether the TC-760LC preamp is worth your time and money. Thanks.