Pre amp Sugestions for my old system

ajanzalone

I want to have a remote control on the pre amp volume.
I use this for Music & Movies

So I am thinking of buying a newer but used Pre amp w/ a remote
to replace the Audio Research SP5 which still sounds great, except the pots are a bit scratchy .....

Of course I want the same or equal quality .....

Suggestions Please

currently:
Audio Research SP5 pre amp
Quad 405 dumping main amp
Pioneer Elite DV-48AV
Polk Monitor 10's
Velodyne VRP 1200 sub

Thanks in advance ....
Tony

thsmith

If the AR has a remote just clean the pots.

If no, then look at at the Adcom GFP-750 for SS or ANthem Pre 2L for tubes.

Both will run in the $600-$700 range, both have remotes and HT bypass

ajanzalone

Thanks
The Audio Research SP5 does not have a remote, (1977 Vintage) and the Pot's are sealed units .........
Tony

thsmith

Tony, those are the 2 preamps I have owned and enjoyed and many here either have or have had and enjoyed.

The Anthem in the long run will cost you more because you will want a nice quad of 6922s to make it really shine.

In either case you can not go wrong with either one.

As for you AR, new pots would not run you that much but if a remote is what you are lusting I understand.

My Anthem is on the sidelines while I get my Wright preamp where I want it but I do miss the remote.

ajanzalone

Yep .... for music this old setup is all good enjoyment

But as a TV-theater set up the remote is a must have for me ...
I may have my quad amp redone by updating the caps & opamp .... for $259

Tony

mhardy6647

No such thing as a sealed pot :-) if there were, they'd never get scratchy...

It's almost always possible to insinuate a little CAIG DeOxit down into a dirty pot - if nothing else, a little drizzle (light pressure on the spray button) down at the base of the shaft will usually get a little in. On classic pots, between the metal dusctover and the phenolic insulator is always a good port of entry. The cool guys will even drill small bore access holes into pots to clean them - but I have no idea how one does that and then cleans up the metal shavings mess!

Alternatively, if you decide to get rid of an ARC preamp because the pots are dirty - just leave it on the doorstep and I'll pick it up :-)

thsmith

No affl

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1283711752&/Adcom-Gfp-750-preamplifier-ste

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1283536184&/Audio-Research-LS-9

thsmith

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The cool guys will even drill small bore access holes into pots to clean them - but I have no idea how one does that and then cleans up the metal shavings mess!

I have not done this on a pot but I have on several motorcycle engines.

Key is a new dril bit and pack the flutes with grease cleaning them frequently. Thje grease will hold the metal shavings

Maybe someone here has done it and provide better guidance.

I would think someone sells a rf pot and motor with remote that could replace the OEM pot but I am probably wrong.

ajanzalone

thsmith wrote: »

No affl

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1283711752&/Adcom-Gfp-750-preamplifier-ste

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1283536184&/Audio-Research-LS-9

I looked hard look at the LS-9 ..... no ballance control nor could I find any reviews on this unit?
I checked with Audio Research history site and it is listed as a "Line Step amp not in the same column as the Preamp's?
Is this a specialized type of preamp?

Guess I am showing my ignorance on this subject ...lol

Tony

thsmith

Sorry Tony, I have no idea. I saw an AR pre on audiogon that had a remote just to give you some options since you like your AR.

ajanzalone

Please don't be sorry ... I appreciate your help and advice

I have e mailed the seller of the LS-9 .....
If he answers then we will all have increased our knowledge on the subject ...
I will update his reply ..
Tony

ajanzalone

.... info on Audio Research LS-9 ..... Seller's response to my question:

Question:
I looked hard look at the LS-9 ..... no balance control nor could I find any reviews on this unit?
I checked with Audio Research history site and it is listed as a "Line Step amp not in the same column as the Preamp's?
Is this a specialized type of preamp?

Answer:
"LS stands for line stage (no phono). SP series all have phono preamps. You are correct on no balance control.
I think you would notice a huge step up from a late seventies solid state unit. Soundstage will be huge in comparison and details more natural. All in all it will have a much less edgy sound. This unit uses hand picked mosfets in class A mode, direct coupled, meaning no caps to color the sound."
here are some reviews
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/audio-research/preamplifiers/ls9/PRD_118166_1591crx.aspx

I am not sure I understand what a mosfet is?
and i see it has auto balance inputs & outputs

Tony

FTGV

That LS 9 looks like a real nice pre.

ajanzalone wrote: »

I am not sure I understand what a mosfet is?

It is an acronym for 'metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor'.It is the solid state gain device of choice for some designers because in comparison to bipolar transistors it is said to have certain qualities that make it similar to tubes.

A nice touch is the stepped relay volume control.

ajanzalone

FTGV wrote: »

That LS 9 looks like a real nice pre.It is an acronym for 'metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor'.It is the solid state gain device of choice for some designers because in comparison to bipolar transistors it is said to have certain qualities that make it similar to tubes.

A nice touch is the stepped relay volume control.

Thanks for the info ... I am still looking hard at this unit ....
Tony

ajanzalone

I can not seem to find a current Blue book value on my "Audio Research SP5" pre amp ?

http://www.arcdb.ws/SP5/SP5.html

anyone have a clue?

Ric5811

Arcam AVp700, the best 2 chan and HT pre on the used market you can find. Highly reviewed and regarded.

You can find them from 500-1000. You can bypass for 2 chan also. It also has excellent DAC's (Wolfson).

ajanzalone

ARCAM AVP 700 .... That seems to be a highly desirable unit ....

But I am a bit confused about the difference between the audiophile preamp verus a AV processor ....?

I sure my knowledge is very antiquated ...
But the High End Audiophile preamp is rated on its ability to reproduce the signal input with out adding artificial depth, stage or sound coloring ... etc

So my confusion is that if I understand correctly .... the AV processor enhances artificial depth, stage or sound coloring?
Or am I not understanding it use?

Tony

Ric5811

ajanzalone wrote: »

ARCAM AVP 700 .... That seems to be a highly desirable unit ....

But I am a bit confused about the difference between the audiophile preamp verus a AV processor ....?

I sure my knowledge is very antiquated ...
But the High End Audiophile preamp is rated on its ability to reproduce the signal input with out adding artificial depth, stage or sound coloring ... etc

So my confusion is that if I understand correctly .... the AV processor enhances artificial depth, stage or sound coloring?
Or am I not understanding it use?

Tony

High end (Audiophile) Pre/Pro's do the same thing. They are neutral in sound reproduction(well that's the goal). The goal is the same for HT or 2 chan. The pro's just have the ability to decode the source material from DVD, TV etc..

Once you get into High End Pre/Pro gear most have bypass for 2 chan. Meaning bypassing all processing in the unit. So there is no degradation of the analog signal.

The Arcam is scary in 2 chan reprodution, there are times I swear that the surround mode is on...excellent imaging and sound staging. Very neutral pre, and very accurate.

If you like music and movies, I don't think there is a better deal on the used market. IMHO. I am a music first person, so it's performance was very important for me in that area.

My history going back to the 80's was using NAD intergrateds and NAD pre amps and Carver amps.

Then in the 90's I purchased a Denon AVR. (bedroom gear now):D

ajanzalone

Thanks for clearing that up for me ....

Tony

Ric5811

ajanzalone wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up for me ....

Tony

Well I did my best!

ajanzalone

Ric5811 wrote: »

Arcam AVp700, the best 2 chan and HT pre on the used market you can find. Highly reviewed and regarded.

Ric:
You can find them from 500-1000. You can bypass for 2 chan also. It also has excellent DAC's (Wolfson).

How doe the Rotel RSP-1066 compare for 2 channel pre amping.... I am looking at a used unit?

Tony