Cheap preamp with dac

rburgess714

Looking for cheap preamp with digital inputs to front end B&K 200.2 for office 2 channel. My P5 is back in the ht pulling hybrid duty. Source will be laptop and or Chromecast. Would like to keep it less that 250, used is okay.

tonyb

The best Pre...with a dac or with digital inputs, under 250..is an older high end processor. Look for a B&K ref. 30 or 50.

rburgess714

tonyb wrote: »

Or...just look for one of these....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162954396167?rmvSB=true

One component to run everything, you won't need the amp. A 307 is more than capable with those speakers and you'll fill all your other requirements.

Another good idea

tonyb

A peachtree nova might be up your alley if your going to ditch the amp.

rburgess714

tonyb wrote: »

The best Pre...with a dac or with digital inputs, under 250..is an older high end processor. Look for a B&K ref. 30 or 50.

Good to know. There was a ref 20 that sold on the fm for a hundred bucks. I’m not in a hurry so I will shop around if I can control myself.

Thanks

Msabot1

Food for thought....The most expensive tool you will ever buy is a cheap one....

tonyb

Msabot1 wrote: »

Food for thought....The most expensive tool you will ever buy is a cheap one....

Good one....and true to some extent. Though....nothing "cheap about a 2-3k processor that sells for 2-300 bucks because they are outdated.

Finding a dedicated 2 channel pre, with a built in dac and digital inputs for 250 bucks simply isn't going to happen. Old receivers, processors, fit that budget and especially for an office rig....if you have the room for them. Many of the older HT processors serve 2 channel very well, have good quality dacs in them and connections up the ying yang. B&k, Classe, Cary, Proceed , Outlaw...just to name a few.

If you really wanted to go cheap, look on your local craigslist for a receiver.

If it was me though, I might be more inclined to look for a tube integrated for that office system. The 703's are easy to drive so should be an easy load for most.

tonyb

Or...just look for one of these....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162954396167?rmvSB=true

One component to run everything, you won't need the amp. A 307 is more than capable with those speakers and you'll fill all your other requirements.

rburgess714

tonyb wrote: »

Msabot1 wrote: »

Food for thought....The most expensive tool you will ever buy is a cheap one....

Good one....and true to some extent. Though....nothing "cheap about a 2-3k processor that sells for 2-300 bucks because they are outdated.

Finding a dedicated 2 channel pre, with a built in dac and digital inputs for 250 bucks simply isn't going to happen. Old receivers, processors, fit that budget and especially for an office rig....if you have the room for them. Many of the older HT processors serve 2 channel very well, have good quality dacs in them and connections up the ying yang. B&k, Classe, Cary, Proceed , Outlaw...just to name a few.

If you really wanted to go cheap, look on your local craigslist for a receiver.

If it was me though, I might be more inclined to look for a tube integrated for that office system. The 703's are easy to drive so should be an easy load for most.

Good suggestions here on older processors for 2 channel. Any love for lexicon? Tube integrated sounds fun but that rabbit hole intimidates me.

audioluvr

Here's another one. I love the sound of my B&K.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/132545789202

rburgess714

I like the the idea of a the 307 but not ready to throw my 200.2 out of the mix for this rig. Also looking for usb input. Narrowing in on a used Cambridge Audio Dac magic plus or new Emotiva pt 100. Thoughts?

Clipdat

Between those two, the Cambridge.

rburgess714 wrote: »

I like the the idea of a the 307 but not ready to throw my 200.2 out of the mix for this rig. Also looking for usb input. Narrowing in on a used Cambridge Audio Dac magic plus or new Emotiva pt 100. Thoughts?

tonyb

The Dac magic is on sale right now at Audio advisor....if that's what your looking for.

From my own experiences though, using a dac as a pre isn't ideal. I realize some do though. Plus the Dac magic seemed a bit sterile sounding to my ears.

You could also float by on a USB dac like the Dragonfly from audioquest and plug that into any pre amp/processor.

Clipdat

Tony could you expand on why this is? I've heard similar but I've wondered about the rationale.

tonyb wrote: »

From my own experiences though, using a dac as a pre isn't ideal. I realize some do though.

tonyb

Clipdat wrote: »

Tony could you expand on why this is? I've heard similar but I've wondered about the rationale.

tonyb wrote: »

From my own experiences though, using a dac as a pre isn't ideal. I realize some do though.

Hard to do without a direct comparison for yourself. Some swear by using a dac as a pre, some can't stand it. I fall into that 2nd camp. Best to use your own ears and compare.

If pre-amps didn't matter, nobody would spend the coin on them, right ?

Clipdat

Good point. Perhaps to meet price points, they're skimping on the "preamp" stage of the DAC.

That being said, I would still like to try a DacMagic+ with a nice set of powered monitors at some point in the future.

tonyb wrote: »

If pre-amps didn't matter, nobody would spend the coin on them, right ?

rburgess714

tonyb wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

Tony could you expand on why this is? I've heard similar but I've wondered about the rationale.

tonyb wrote: »

From my own experiences though, using a dac as a pre isn't ideal. I realize some do though.

Hard to do without a direct comparison for yourself. Some swear by using a dac as a pre, some can't stand it. I fall into that 2nd camp. Best to use your own ears and compare.

If pre-amps didn't matter, nobody would spend the coin on them, right ?

It be great to have a place to get ears gear. In my noobish mindset the warmth of the 200.2 would complement an all digital set up.

rburgess714

I went off the reservation and did not heed anyone’s advice or suggestions. I know I am going to get grief for this but I made a late night impulse buy on Amazon. I ordered the Emotiva PT-100 for 3 bones, it has a DAC, digital and analog inputs and should arrive tomorrow. Three year warranty and if it completely sucks I have 30 days to return.

Clipdat

Do let us know your thoughts after you get some hours logged on it!

rburgess714 wrote: »

I went off the reservation and did not heed anyone’s advice or suggestions. I know I am going to get grief for this but I made a late night impulse buy on Amazon. I ordered the Emotiva PT-100 for 3 bones, it has a DAC, digital and analog inputs and should arrive tomorrow. Three year warranty and if it completely sucks I have 30 days to return.

oldschlpolkie

I have been following this string and looking around on Ebay for the B&K 30/50. I definitely like the quality/price with three kids in the house and a budget. I've been reading about some issue with firmware and a "please wait" message. Has anyone heard about this or experienced this issue and is it common?

rburgess714

Emo pre received last night and burning in. Few initial comments and more to follow after unit gets some time on it.

I) I really like the compact size, the input options and built in dac.

2) Remote is super cheap. Though from my desk I only have turn in my chair to adjust but still it’s garbage.

3) Most importantly is sound. The unit only has about 8 hours on it and the word that comes to mind is tinny.

audioluvr

rburgess714 wrote: »

Emo pre received last night and burning in. Few initial comments and more to follow after unit gets some time on it.

I) I really like the compact size, the input options and built in dac.

2) Remote is super cheap. Though from my desk I only have turn in my chair to adjust but still it’s garbage.

3) Most importantly is sound. The unit only has about 8 hours on it and the word that comes to mind is tinny.

Bummer. Don't give up. I'd keep looking for an Anthem or B&K pre/pro

rburgess714

Going to give this another couple of days but really think it’s going back. Will likely be going a different direction.

tonyb

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649307839-bampk-reference-preamp/

See if this is still available, for under 200 it's a steal. Spotted a ref 50 too but without the remote for 225. You could probably grab a remote off ebay.

tonyb

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649426909-anthem-avm-30/

rburgess714

tonyb wrote: »

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649426909-anthem-avm-30/

Thanks Tony.

Clipdat

Giving up on the Emo?

rburgess714

not yet... listening to it now, it's not horrible at all and for home office at low listening levels its okay. Over the weekend at higher volumes while burning in it was kind of striking me the wrong way... maybe more burn in time? But I may ditch it and the B&K and simplify with an integrated that has digital inputs with dac and usb.

Clipdat

Ah, yeah, you might have to give it 50-100 hours just to get to sound "decent".

You got some time left on your 30 day Amazon return window.

rburgess714 wrote: »

not yet... listening to it now, it's not horrible at all and for home office at low listening levels its okay. Over the weekend at higher volumes while burning in it was kind of striking me the wrong way... maybe more burn in time? But I may ditch it and the B&K and simplify with an integrated that has digital inputs with dac and usb.

rburgess714

tonyb wrote: »

A peachtree nova might be up your alley if your going to ditch the amp.

That is an option and I really hate I missed the peachtree pre that was on here for $150. But If look to take the amp out and focus on an integrated the peachtee could work but they are pricey and if I was to pay that much I would probably look at finding a used Parasound integrated. On a separate thread I was inquiring about the Yamaha A-S801?

gyosa

Yamaha wxc-50 May fit the bill .....
I have 2 and love them .....
One hooked up to a B&K ex-442 , the other with a parasound A-21
-bk