Preamp...help me pick one

hochpt21

Ok...I am continuing my journey of slowly upgrading my 2-channel. I'm thinking the next step is a dedicated preamp to replace the HK3490.

I am not buying right now, but I am looking for suggestions/guidance so I can do my own research and be ready if a good deal comes along.

My budget will probably be $500-$750.

My room is approx 12' deep by 24' wide. I listen to a lot of stuff, but mostly jazz, blues, some classic rock and some acoustic stuff. Approx 30% vinyl, 50% squeezebox and 20% cd/music dvd's/cable box.

I love the detail on the LSi15's. I want to keep as much of that detail as possible, however I find a little listening fatigue after long listening sessions, so maybe something to warm it up slightly?

I'm good with new or used (would prefer to be somewhat newer used)

Here are a couple I have been looking at so far...
Parasound Classic 2100
Rotel RC-1550

I am open to any thoughts or suggestions. For example, maybe a jump to the $500 range won't make a significant difference from the HK in which case I can save more coin for a higher budget down the road.

Thanks all,
Paul

brgman

I have a Parasound 2100 and think it does a great job for the $$

heiney9

For $700-750 the Adcom GFP-750, no contest compared to what has been mentioned.

H9

hochpt21

I have seen a lot of good stuff about the gfp-750 on this forum. Does the age of the unit matter? I thought I remember tonyb saying something about 15 yrs before a unit typically needs some reconditioning.

hochpt21

Also, should have mentioned this in the op.

Not a dealbreaker, but I would really like to be able to change volume and inputs via remote.

Drenis

brgman wrote: »

I have a Parasound 2100 and think it does a great job for the $$

x2

I absolutely love the sound from mine. You have plenty of inputs and all remote controlled.

hochpt21

Drenis wrote: »

x2

I absolutely love the sound from mine. You have plenty of inputs and all remote controlled.

brgman and Drenis...what amps do you have the parasound paired with?

Drenis

Carver TFM-42

heiney9

hochpt21 wrote: »

Also, should have mentioned this in the op.

Not a dealbreaker, but I would really like to be able to change volume and inputs via remote.

The 750 does and it has an HT bypass as well as a balanced input and output.

H9

thsmith

Anthem Pre 2L. Has remote for HT Bypass and volume.

Cant remember what the remote does for GFP-750, another good option as stated above.

With some nice but expensive 6922s I preferred the Anthem but that was about $400 in tubes bringing the Anthem to about $1000.

Toolfan66

Gfp-750...

SCompRacer

Paul, are you looking for a pre with built in phono stage or are you going to use an external phono pre amp? IIRC you are currently using your HK3490 with built in phono stage.

heiney9

SCompRacer wrote: »

Paul, are you looking for a pre with built in phono stage or are you going to use an external phono pre amp? IIRC you are currently using your HK3490 with built in phono stage.

Good catch Rich.

The Adcom GFP-750 doesn't do phono, you;d need a external phono pre-amp if you go that route.

H9

disneyjoe7

Not many tubes recommends......

Tubes add soul.

brgman

I have used it with a sunfire a carver and as a HT bypass unit with the oppo in my onkyo system with various amps
Also a decent phono stage

dcmartinpc

Third vote for GFP-750. I love mine and I would need to spend a LOT more $$$ to notice an appreciable improvement. Excellent Pre.

Don

hochpt21

Paul, are you looking for a pre with built in phono stage or are you going to use an external phono pre amp? IIRC you are currently using your HK3490 with built in phono stage.

I'm ok with either. If I get a pre without a phono stage, I have a $60 external one that will 'get me by' until I could upgrade.

Not many tubes recommends......

Not sure I'm ready for that.

hochpt21

Not sure if this is a relavent question and a little ambiguous I know, but the gfp-750's are a little older unit correct? Would I be good for awhile with that unit, or would I need to have it serviced in the next few years.

disneyjoe7

Not sure I'm ready for that.

Why it's in your price range?

heiney9

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Not sure I'm ready for that.

Why it's in your price range?

The pre is but the subsequent tube rolling (which is absolutely necessary, IMO) probably isn't.

H9

heiney9

hochpt21 wrote: »

Not sure if this is a relavent question and a little ambiguous I know, but the gfp-750's are a little older unit correct? Would I be good for awhile with that unit, or would I need to have it serviced in the next few years.

You should be fine.

hochpt21

Why it's in your price range?

Don't know if I would have the time right now. It is something I would like to do in the future, however.

pietro944

I'm looking at the Qinpu T-1.....about $435

kcoc321

pietro944 wrote: »

I'm looking at the Qinpu T-1.....about $435

There is one on eBay @ $340 plus $170 shipping..... I hate those shipping rate ripoffs
Plus there is the 'unknown' customs rates ( ?)
They do look like they take the 6N3 tubes and say it is based on the Marantz 7..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180507857649&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#shId

pietro944

kcoc321 wrote: »

There is one on eBay @ $340 plus $170 shipping..... I hate those shipping rate ripoffs
Plus there is the 'unknown' customs rates ( ?)
They do look like they take the 6N3 tubes and say it is based on the Marantz 7..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180507857649&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#shId

I saw that on ebay....I buy fron online mart.....the T-1 is $435 shipped and will arrive in 10 days.I bought my Yaqin CD3 Tube Buffer from them and also the Xiang Sheng Dac-02...both were free shipping and came well-packed in 10 days by air mail with tracking....peter

p.s.I forgot to mention the T-1 comes with a cool padded suitcase for travelling.So,if you want to take it to a friends,it has it's own valise with aluminum latches on the front:cool:

kcoc321

That is cool... Can you link them? I want to check out what they have

Drenis

pietro944 wrote: »

I saw that on ebay....I buy fron online mart.....the T-1 is $435 shipped and will arrive in 10 days.I bought my Yaqin CD3 Tube Buffer from them and also the Xiang Sheng Dac-02...both were free shipping and came well-packed in 10 days by air mail with tracking....peter

p.s.I forgot to mention the T-1 comes with a cool padded suitcase for travelling.So,if you want to take it to a friends,it has it's own valise with aluminum latches on the front:cool:

Couldn't help but look at this T-1 unit on ebay. Not sure if you caught this but seeing as you live in the states, I'm unsure how much of an issue this might pan out for you.


"Power Supply: 220V(?10%)　60Hz/50Hz
There is not 110v version for this item."

Otherwise it looks slick and makes nice power for a small integrated.

thsmith

If the OP is looking for a budget tube preamp suggest looking at a Wright WLA12. Can be had for $400-$450 used.

Wright sound is no longer in business as the owner has passed away.

With the right tubes I found it to best my Adcom 750 and Anthem Pre2L, Ymmv.

Again, $450 for Wright preamp and about $200 in tubes and upgraded volume control so add another $50 and dont forget a better power cable. In my experience a preaMP RESPONDS WELL TO pc UPGRADE.

Like others have said above the 750 is a no brainer. Great sounding and packed with features.

pietro944

kcoc321 wrote: »

That is cool... Can you link them? I want to check out what they have

sure.....http://www.hi-end.On9mart.com/cart/QP_T-1.html

pietro944

kcoc321 wrote: »

That is cool... Can you link them? I want to check out what they have

sure.....http://www.hi-end.09mart.com/cart/QP_T-.html....ooops.....delete this one:redface:

pietro944

kcoc321 wrote: »

That is cool... Can you link them? I want to check out what they have

sure.....http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/QP_T-1.html