Looking for a new preamp.

Upstatemax

I have a few Preamps in mind but could use some help.

Budget is between $400-$500 and would be used in my 2ch rig in my sig.

The two that I'm currently debating are the Dared SL2000A (if I get in to tubes) and the Parasound Halo P3 (used).

Both seem to get very good reviews, the Parasound is a more "all in one" unit with a built in Phono. However, the Phono stage is not that great I guess.

For the Dared, I HAVE to get a Phono stage. The Parasound, I might have to get one down the road.

I will pull the trigger after X-Mass but I'm trying to get any feedback on the two units above and see of there is anything else to consider (I'm sure there is a lot).

Dawgfish

I highly recommend looking for either an Anthem Pre-1L or a Pre-2L. They are both fantastic tube pres that can be found used in your price range (check Audiogon). The 2L is basically the same as the 1L, but adds home theater by-pass capabilities and a remote. I'm running a modified Pre-1L with SoniCaps and NOS Mullard 6922 tubes. It is simply fantastic. I highly recommed adding either of these to your short list.

Upstatemax

Thanks for the suggestion!

I should also mention that the Cary SLP 30 is right at the top of my list... Just can't seem to find one.

I missed the one FS here a few months ago!!

IRLRaceFan

Upstatemax wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion!

I should also mention that the Cary SLP 30 is right at the top of my list... Just can't seem to find one.

I missed the one FS here a few months ago!!

It IS a very nice sounding pre
Good luck!

Upstatemax

IRLRaceFan wrote: »

It IS a very nice sounding pre
Good luck!

I think you hate it and just don't realize it...

Send it my way and once it's out of your house, you'll thank me.

I'm willing to do this favor for you...

steveinaz

There's a NICE Parasound in the flea market...just sayin.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?126703-Parasound-P-LD-1100-Pre-amp

With the money saved on this, buy a phono pre.

IRLRaceFan

Upstatemax wrote: »

I think you hate it and just don't realize it...

Send it my way and once it's out of your house, you'll thank me.

I'm willing to do this favor for you...

You'd do that for me?! That's pretty selfless of you

Upstatemax

Lol, it must just be all that holiday spirit making me feel so generous...

Enjoy the Cary!

Ps, I have dibs if you decide to sell it!

NJPOLKER

Dawgfish wrote: »

I highly recommend looking for either an Anthem Pre-1L or a Pre-2L. They are both fantastic tube pres that can be found used in your price range (check Audiogon). The 2L is basically the same as the 1L, but adds home theater by-pass capabilities and a remote. I'm running a modified Pre-1L with SoniCaps and NOS Mullard 6922 tubes. It is simply fantastic. I highly recommed adding either of these to your short list.

No doubt about it. You will be hard pressed to find a more functional and better sounding pre-amp than the Anthem for under a grand. One great thing is you can do it step by step which is great because you can hear for yourself the changes you make to it. Also, you don't have to dump a huge amount of cash into it all at once.
You can start with the stock Pre2L and upgrade the caps, then the tubes, apply dynamat to the inside of the cabinet, buy dampers for the tubes and so on..............
If you can handle a soldering iron you can do the caps in 15 minutes and a cost under $50.00 which is highly recommended. It's really simple.
Look up threads about Dynamat here for information. Cost will be under $20. easily
Dampers http://herbiesaudiolab.net/index.htm
Tubes http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm Start with two tubes you can afford for the two front tubes which are the more critical tubes when it comes to increasing the sound quality then go from there. I like the Mazda's but to each their own. Talk with Brent who is real knowledgable and helpful, he knows his stuff!!!!

I guarantee you will be thanking me later on this one.

One of the guys around here with a great ear for sound quality put me on to this one and he is dead on. I mean dead on :evil::razz:

I do not believe in guarantees much but this time I have no question about it.

YOUR WELCOME IN ADVANCE

Upstatemax

I decided on a new Dared SL2000A Pre.

Should ship in a few days!

I can't wait to get tubes in my 2ch system.

Yes, I know I need to look at swapping the stock tubes.

But first I need to figure out a Phono pre...

[Deleted User]

You will be pleased. Its a simple, sharp looking piece. Start looking for upgraded tubes now, so you can have them when the unit arrives. Happy listening. Cheers. :cool:

tonyb

Upstatemax wrote: »

But first I need to figure out a Phono pre...

Really nothing to figure out....two analog cables go in, 2 come out. Read up on which tubes work best with that pre, we have a few threads on it.

Oh, congrats too.

Face

Upstatemax wrote: »

But first I need to figure out a Phono pre...

Check out Jolida and Cambridge.

Upstatemax

tonyb wrote: »

Really nothing to figure out....two analog cables go in, 2 come out. Read up on which tubes work best with that pre, we have a few threads on it.

Oh, congrats too.

Lol

I know how they work.

Just need to figure out what unit I want to go with.

tonyb

Upstatemax wrote: »

Lol

I know how they work.

Just need to figure out what unit I want to go with.

LOL....yeah, I know. Was just being a smart **** early today. By this afternoon I'll be a kitty.

Upstatemax

Face wrote: »

Check out Jolida and Cambridge.

Thanks for the advice.

I think I've settled on the Cambridge 640P.

BTW, got the Dared in today and I've been running it for about 1/2 an hour and WOW... :eek:

I don't think I'll ever get rid of tubes.

The detail is night and day from the 3490.

Not sure how I feel about all the bass I'm getting right now. It's a lot more pronounced, it's not sloppy or anything, just more than I'm used to out of my system.

Either way, I need to start looking for replacement tubes...

I'm excited to try all the new stuff. Not excited for my wife to realize there is new gear in my office, and all the new boxes that will be showing up in the house. :redface:

EndersShadow

Upstatemax wrote: »

BTW, got the Dared in today and I've been running it for about 1/2 an hour and WOW... :eek:

I don't think I'll ever get rid of tubes.

The detail is night and day from the 3490.

Why did you have to go and post that last line max :frown:........ Since this is just a pre, what are you using for your amp? The amp section of the HK 3490, or the amp in your sig?

You done went and got my wheels turning......

Upstatemax

EndersShadow wrote: »

Why did you have to go and post that last line max :frown:........ Since this is just a pre, what are you using for your amp? The amp section of the HK 3490, or the amp in your sig?

You done went and got my wheels turning......

I use the Parasound in my Sig to drive the speakers.

The 3490 was great, but the Dared is just awesome so far....

cnh

I guess that works because you still have the Parasound SS as the main "power", because I've never really considered LSis to be tube friendly speakers. They're built for SS power. It's never occurred to me to even try my 7s on the Jolida. I'm almost hesitant to do that. Perhaps, some day, I'll have a moment of "weakness". lol

Enjoy the Dared!

cnh

Upstatemax

I rolled some NOS Mullard 12at7wa tubes in last night and the sound just keeps getting better...


Low end is tighter and the roll off I heard on the high end is gone. Much more sparkle and pop. Vocals seem more pronounced as well.

heiney9

It responds well to all kinds of tube rolling, especially the rectifier tube. What are you using as a rectifier? The Chinese rectifier stinks in comparison to just about anything else.

Enjoy, this pre-amp hits much higher than it's price point suggests.

H9

Upstatemax

I'm still using the stock rectifier. It's top of the list for next purchase.