Preamp Questions

gimpod

Hi all, I'm looking to replace my preamp because i need one with a remote.
What i have is an Adcom GFP 555 and a S.A.E PA-10. I like them both (the S.A.E. is a little more flexible) but they aren't remote controllable so i'm looking at a NAD 1600 with remote in good to excellent shape locally for $289 which seems to fit my needs. My question is, is this a decent pre for the money or should i keep looking. $300 is the max i can spend. For those who care or just interested this is what i need in a pre

1. Remote control
2. A good MM/MC Phono section
3. Tuner input or internal tuner
4. 2 full tape loops with 2 way dubbing (Tape 1 > Tape2 / Tape 2 > Tape 1)
5. CD Input
6. At least 1 Line level Aux input
7. Will play nice with my Adcom GFA-555 power amp

Another idea i'm thinking about doing is replacing the volume control in either the Adcom or S.A.E with a remote volume control kit something like this Remote Volume Control Kit has anybody had some experience with doing something like this. All i really need is to be able to control the volume for when the neighbors are beating on my door because the music is to loud.

Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be appreciated.

Big Dawg

gim54pod wrote: »

... All i really need is to be able to control the volume for when the neighbors are beating on my door because the music is to loud.

Couldn't you just turn it down by hand when you get up to get the baseball bat?

RuSsMaN

How far away do you sit? BDT has used a golf club with a suction cup on the end to adjust volume hillbilly style before....

hearingimpared

gim54pod wrote: »

Hi all, I'm looking to replace my preamp because i need one with a remote.
What i have is an Adcom GFP 555 and a S.A.E PA-10. I like them both (the S.A.E. is a little more flexible) but they aren't remote controllable so i'm looking at a NAD 1600 with remote in good to excellent shape locally for $289 which seems to fit my needs. My question is, is this a decent pre for the money or should i keep looking. $300 is the max i can spend. For those who care or just interested this is what i need in a pre

1. Remote control
2. A good MM/MC Phono section
3. Tuner input or internal tuner
4. 2 full tape loops with 2 way dubbing (Tape 1 > Tape2 / Tape 2 > Tape 1)
5. CD Input
6. At least 1 Line level Aux input
7. Will play nice with my Adcom GFA-555 power amp

Another idea i'm thinking about doing is replacing the volume control in either the Adcom or S.A.E with a remote volume control kit something like this Remote Volume Control Kit has anybody had some experience with doing something like this. All i really need is to be able to control the volume for when the neighbors are beating on my door because the music is to loud.

Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be appreciated.

IMHO you are asking a lot from a preamp at that price. Just a good MM/MC phono stage could run you that much. I guess it not impossible especially with GG always on the lookout for a great deal.

bluecomet

I would stick with the S.A.E. unit. Sit next to your audio gear and move the speakers on the other side of the room. Get a nice leather chair and kick back and enjoy. Another option would be buy an older model Sunfire processor and use it as your pre amp. It should send you back in the area of four to Five hundred dollars but it is well worth it. I know it's over your budget but I would take some time and save up for one. Just a thought.

gimpod

hearingimpared wrote: »

IMHO you are asking a lot from a preamp at that price. Just a good MM/MC phono stage could run you that much. I guess it not impossible especially with GG always on the lookout for a great deal.

Your probably right about asking a lot from a preamp at my price. I may just have to deal with what i've got but a remote would be nice.

bluecomet wrote: »

I would stick with the S.A.E. unit. Sit next to your audio gear and move the speakers on the other side of the room. Get a nice leather chair and kick back and enjoy. Another option would be buy an older model Sunfire processor and use it as your pre amp. It should send you back in the area of four to Five hundred dollars but it is well worth it. I know it's over your budget but I would take some time and save up for one. Just a thought.

Actually i like the S.A.E. better than the Adcom i just wish i could figure out a way to make it remote controllable. As far as using a AV type processor as a preamp they have a lot more circuitry in them that i have no need for or would ever use. So why pay for stuff your not going to use.

Thank both of you for your comment's and suggestion's there appreciated.

Oh RuSsman it's not about how far away i sit it's about accessibility.

I was hoping someone would comment on that NAD preamp.

miner

For that price range you may be able to get a used Rotel RC-1070. One reviewer stated it was worth the price of the phono stage alone (MM only - no MC).

agfrost

I've got an NAD 1600 in my bedroom setup--It's a very nice tuner/pre, but it's not the last word in high end preamps. I paid $200 for mine, in near-flawless shape, so the price you're looking at seems a tad high to me. Local pickup is always worth some peace of mind to avoid shipping snafus. I haven't had the chance to use the phono section, but it's supposed to be decent to good.

If its functionality fits your needs, you'll probably be hard pressed to find better within your budget.

HTH,

Jay

hearingimpared

gim54pod wrote: »

Your probably right about asking a lot from a preamp at my price. I may just have to deal with what i've got but a remote would be nice.



Actually i like the S.A.E. better than the Adcom i just wish i could figure out a way to make it remote controllable. As far as using a AV type processor as a preamp they have a lot more circuitry in them that i have no need for or would ever use. So why pay for stuff your not going to use.

Thank both of you for your comment's and suggestion's there appreciated.

Oh RuSsman it's not about how far away i sit it's about accessibility.

I was hoping someone would comment on that NAD preamp.

Don't get me wrong Bro, NAD makes some great gear. I've owned and still own NAD gear since the '80s.

gimpod

miner wrote: »

For that price range you may be able to get a used Rotel RC-1070. One reviewer stated it was worth the price of the phono stage alone (MM only - no MC).

Yea i was looking a that Rotel, but from the manual it looks like you can only dub one way. I think it was Tape 2 > Tape 1, Thanks for the suggestion though.

agfrost wrote: »

I've got an NAD 1600 in my bedroom setup--It's a very nice tuner/pre, but it's not the last word in high end preamps. I paid $200 for mine, in near-flawless shape, so the price you're looking at seems a tad high to me. Local pickup is always worth some peace of mind to avoid shipping snafus. I haven't had the chance to use the phono section, but it's supposed to be decent to good.

If its functionality fits your needs, you'll probably be hard pressed to find better within your budget.

HTH,

Jay

Thanks Jay that helps a lot, I think i'm going to go check out that NAD this weekend, If it's near mint and meats my needs i'll most likely pick it up. Maybe i'll be able to talk the guy into some kind of a trade deal.

hearingimpared wrote: »

Don't get me wrong Bro, NAD makes some great gear. I've owned and still own NAD gear since the '80s.

Oh I didn't get you wrong I think I understood exactly what you were saying and I agree with you. Also I didn't think for one second you were slamming NAD gear at all. It's just that I can't afford to go Hi-end and to be honest with you with my hearing I probably couldn't hear the difference anyway. Can you say Stone Cold Deft in both ears .

gimpod

Hi all, Yes I'm still looking to replace my preamp because i need one with a remote. I bought a Rotel RTC-850 from a member a while back (Quite awhile) but it has developed some leaking cap in the power supply section, it looks like it would be cheap to fix about $20 -$30 but I'm thinking it's not really worth fixing especially if I decide to recap the whole thing (another $20 - $30 and a boat load of time.)

I was also thinking of stepping up the food chain a bit

$1000 is the max i can spend. For those who care or just interested this is what i need in a pre

1. No Tubes
2. Remote controllable
3. A good MM/MC Phono section
4. Tuner input
5. 2 full tape loops with 2 way dubbing (Tape 1 > Tape2 / Tape 2 > Tape 1)
6. CD Input
7. At least 1 Line level Aux input
8. Will play nice with my Adcom GFA-555 power amp

Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be appreciated.

FYI: My budget is no where near F1nut's, DarqueKnight's, etc... So please be realistic.

F1nut

Tony, how about that Adcom something-750? I've heard it and it's pretty nice, but I don't know if it meets all your requirements.

Irrenhaus

Hey how about a Rotel RC-1082

Check this one on the Gon..no affiliation.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-rotel-rotel-rc-1082-2013-11-26-preamplifiers-48085

gimpod

F1nut wrote: »

Tony, how about that Adcom something-750? I've heard it and it's pretty nice, but I don't know if it meets all your requirements.

That would be my last choice as it only has 1 tape loop and no phono, That is unless one comes along and the price was right!

Thank you Jesse and how have you been doing lately good I hope.

gimpod

The biggest problem with most later preamps is they don't have a Phono section (could go external if there are enough inputs) and/or 2 full Tape loops. If they have 2 tape loops you can only dub one way usually Tape 2 > Tape 1

gimpod

If that isn't confusing enough try this on for size. Of the models suggested let's break them down.

1. Adcom GFP-750, No Phono & 1 Tape loop (If priced fair and from a fellow polkie this would be my choice so far)
2. Rotel RC-1082, Tape Dubbing is one way Tape 1 > Tape 2 (you can't record to Tape 2 other than T1 > T2)
3. Parasound Halo P3, 1 Tape loop also you can't record anything connected to Direct Input's 1 or 2 Balanced or Unbalanced.
4. Mark's Rotel RC-1070 (that might be for sale), Tape Dubbing is one way Tape 1 > Tape 2 (you can't record to Tape 2 other than T1 > T2)
5. greppy's Rotel RC-990BX, Tape Dubbing is one way Tape 2 > Tape 1 (you can't record to Tape 2)

tonyb

Why the 2 full tape loops anyway ?

unc2701

tonyb wrote: »

Why the 2 full tape loops anyway ?

Yes, this. It's going to be a major limiting factor on anything built recently. Take that away and a variety of Musical Fidelity preamps will fit the bill. Most have a MM/MC phono stage, one tape loop and a HT direct input. I've got an A5 that plays nicely with SS amps, but I should add the caveat that the phono stage on mine has crapped out, so keep that in mind in your hunting.

tonyb

Off the top of my head in SS pre amps, I think some older Aragon pre amps might have 2 full tape loops. But still curious as to why this is needed in todays world.

leftwinger57

I think the Onkyo P-301 has the dual tape and dual video inputs and 1 phono,1 cd, 1 tuner input.Also has a good remote control that works the motorized volume control and all the other features as well.

gimpod

tonyb wrote: »

Why the 2 full tape loops anyway ?

Because I have 2 tape deck's that I would like to record from one to the other and vice versa, Besides if your going to put 2 tape loop's in a pre why not make them full it can't be that hard. I mean even my old S.A.E. Two PA 10 has inputs for 2 Phono (1 MM & 1 MC), 2 AUX, 1 Tuner, 1 Exturnal Prosser Loop, and 2 Full Tape Loop's just no remote and was designed in the late 1970 - early 1980's

leftwinger57 wrote: »

I think the Onkyo P-301 has the dual tape and dual video inputs and 1 phono,1 cd, 1 tuner input.Also has a good remote control that works the motorized volume control and all the other features as well.

tonyb

gimpod wrote: »

Because I have 2 tape deck's that I would like to record from one to the other and vice versa, Besides if your going to put 2 tape loop's in a pre why not make them full it can't be that hard. I mean even my old S.A.E. Two PA 10 has inputs for 2 Phono (1 MM & 1 MC), 2 AUX, 1 Tuner, 1 Exturnal Prosser Loop, and 2 Full Tape Loop's just no remote and was designed in the late 1970 - early 1980's

Who uses tape decks today, seriously, for a manufacturer to consider 2 full tape loops. Must be some after market gizmo to help ya out in that situation anyway. Most modern SS pre's won't have 2, maybe one, but I don't recall seeing 2 in a very long time. Not much help I'm afraid, but I'll keep an eye out for ya.

gimpod

Never mind my last post, ran out of time.:mad:

tonyb wrote: »

Why the 2 full tape loops anyway ?

Because I'm an analog guy stuck in a digital world,

I have 2 tape deck's that I would like to record from one to the other and vice versa, Besides if your going to put 2 tape loop's in a pre why not make them full it can't be that hard. I mean even my old S.A.E. Two PA 10 has inputs for 2 Phono (1 MM & 1 MC), 2 AUX, 1 Tuner, 1 External Processor Loop, and 2 Full Tape Loop's just no remote and was designed by S.A.E. built in Japan in the late 1970 - early 1980's granted not there top end but not bad ether for the money.

If S.A.E. could do it back then why can't a company's do it today, It's a extra relay (or whatever) and some software, My crappy Adcom GFP-555 would do this, Even the Rotel RTC-850 (with a remote) would do it (seams to be the last Rotel that would).

leftwinger57 wrote: »

I think the Onkyo P-301 has the dual tape and dual video inputs and 1 phono,1 cd, 1 tuner input.Also has a good remote control that works the motorized volume control and all the other features as well.

No offense but I've never liked Onkyo and have no need for video at all.

gimpod

tonyb wrote: »

Who uses tape decks today.

Me and Kenneth Swauger to name a few.

Like my sig says "The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction." ~ Kenneth Swauger

leftwinger57

No offense taken, it's what I have. But it does work well w/ my Adcom 555, forget the video ,has the remote you need. Not into the brand that's fine.Just an offering like the others.

tonyb

Again, your in the minority with Tape loops, no manufacture is going to just add costs to their product that won't benefit more than a handful of old dudes hanging on to their R/R machines.Try and find a pre from that era would be your best bet but the remote may be hard to find as well.

Curious as to why no tubes ? I think your chances are better in a tubed pre than SS.

gimpod

No Tubes good question;

Cost, they take too long to warm up and I don't leave anything on 24/7, maintenance and they burn out when you lest expect it.

But I do have admit never having owned anything with tubes I could be full of **** except for that 24/7 thing.

drumminman

Don't leave my tube linestage on 24/7; at the most I warm it up for 30-60 minutes, or just start playing music. It's easy to hear when it warms up and things snap into place.

Also, lots of tubes have high life expectancy (many thousands of hours), especially those originally designed for the military.

PreCd

This preamp only has 2 inputs but I just built a Bottlehead Quickie for $99 and it sounds very good. Drawback is that it runs off batteries but life expectancy is 150-200 hours. I was a sceptic about the whole thing but now I believe. For $99 it was a great buy and interesting to build.

gimpod wrote: »

No Tubes good question;

Cost, they take too long to warm up and I don't leave anything on 24/7, maintenance and they burn out when you lest expect it.

But I do have admit never having owned anything with tubes I could be full of **** except for that 24/7 thing.

gimpod

^ Interesting might make a good starting point except it tube based.

What do you guys think about a Rotel Michi RHA-10 Pre, Made between 1993-1997 and sold for $1800. the guy wants $700. No Phono but there are a lot of Phono Pre's out there, like a "agtech Bugle2" I could incorporate into it.

On a side note what's a good and affordable replacement for "STD series BlackGate Caps" Nichcon MUSE series?

tonyb

Looks like a decent pre that would fit your needs, but honestly I think he's a buck fifty too high for a nearly 20 year old SS pre.