On the hunt for a new preamp... suggestions!

pearsall001

New or used, budget can stretch to $2,500. Two must haves is HT bypass & full function remote. I'm open to both SS & tube.
My amp is the Parasound A21+, I've been looking at the Parasound JC2 BP & P6 which will mate well with the amp. Both units are well reviewed.
The Schiit Freya + seems to have pretty good reviews but I'm not a fan of the way they implement HT bypass.
I'm finding the HT bypass mode to be somewhat hard to find especially on tube units.
Open to all recommendations.

Thanks,
Phil

pearsall001

I just got a email from PS Audio about their current sale.
Anyone have listening experience with their gear...in particular the Gain Cell DAC. On sale for $1,519. HT bypass, DAC & full function remote. Interesting.

audioluvr

So this is going in your HT system?

Emlyn

I've had a JC2BP with a JC5 amp for a few years now after running tube preamps for a long time. The JC2 has a very low noise floor with a neutral sound quality that does indeed mate well with other Parasound products. I ran one with an A21 for a while before getting the JC5. The JC2 is still a purist design for analog which is why it's so quiet. The P6 has some digital features. If I had a system where the digital features were needed it would be something I'd take a look at but there are a lot of other contenders in that price range that do the same stuff.

I wouldn't hesitate to order another JC2 if mine broke. Looks like the price is now below $4K for new. I understand Parasound is under new ownership so I don't know what the future holds for what they produce or if John Curl will continue to be involved in their designs.

VR3

Musical fidelity kw hybrid preamp is in that budget, very transparent with no detectable sonic signature

pearsall001

audioluvr wrote: »

So this is going in your HT system?

Yes...I want to take advantage of my Maggie's for both 2 channel & HT.

nooshinjohn

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650038559-rogue-audio-rp-7-preamp-in-black/

pearsall001

nooshinjohn wrote: »

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650038559-rogue-audio-rp-7-preamp-in-black/

I'd love to get my hands on that on that Rogue... unfortunately too far over my budget. Thanks for the heads up though.

I did see MF M6s PRE that is well within my budget. Gonna give it a closer look.

nooshinjohn

The RP5 is also available and at the right price…

GlennDog

nooshinjohn wrote: »

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650038559-rogue-audio-rp-7-preamp-in-black/

I've wondered what the RP7 or 9 would bring to the table with my Rogue M180 monos in Dark.

Complimentary, fo sho (same house sound) . . . but better than the Cary SLP-05 ???

I always thought lateral move. Never saw any online comments touting one or the other when paired with the M-180s

nooshinjohn

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650034343-rogue-audio-r-5-preamplifier/

Clipdat

@ChrisD06 can you please advise? I take it you have extensive preamp knowledge, yes?

Toolfan66

Joey_V

Heard jc2 back to back against a simple rotel. Honestly I would pass at that price. I would take a hard look at the Cary 98 if you want something simple and straight to the point.

stangman67

If you can find an older used Backert Rhumba or an open box/used Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary, both would be in your price range and have HT bypass and they are awesome performers. Both have very simple remotes though. Basically volume and mute and that’s it, so may not be in your swim lane. About the only personal experience I have with stand-alone Pres

Emlyn

Bear in mind that Magnepans are not normal speakers and need to be paired with a preamp and amp that have enough current and low noise together to produce an adequate sound level without the volume control needing to go up too high to deal with the low sensitivity and current demands. They're not expensive speakers but they demand good gear to get the best out of them. Certain tube preamps simply aren't a good choice unless someone wants to find out how noisy even an expensive tube preamp can be. I learned that with my 1.7i model. They're very revealing speakers of what's upstream in part because the panels produce a big and tall sound from a large radiating surface area that produces sound from the front and the rear of the panels.

GlennDog

Joey_V wrote: »

Heard jc2 back to back against a simple rotel. Honestly I would pass at that price. I would take a hard look at the Cary 98 if you want something simple and straight to the point.

@dr1978

IIRC, this gent bought my ruby red Cary SLP-98 with silver face plate . . . gorgeous !

he tried selling after a period of time . . . I don't think it ever moved. No clue why. Exquisite piece of kit!

Reach out

invalid

Emlyn wrote: »

Bear in mind that Magnepans are not normal speakers and need to be paired with a preamp and amp that have enough current and low noise together to produce an adequate sound level without the volume control needing to go up too high to deal with the low sensitivity and current demands. They're not expensive speakers but they demand good gear to get the best out of them. Certain tube preamps simply aren't a good choice unless someone wants to find out how noisy even an expensive tube preamp can be. I learned that with my 1.7i model. They're very revealing speakers of what's upstream in part because the panels produce a big and tall sound from a large radiating surface area that produces sound from the front and the rear of the panels.

I don't know what tube preamps you have had, but I haven't had a noise problem with my tube preamp with apogee speakers. A lot of tube preamps just simply have to much gain, that's why there is a noise problem.

pearsall001

GlennDog wrote: »

Joey_V wrote: »

Heard jc2 back to back against a simple rotel. Honestly I would pass at that price. I would take a hard look at the Cary 98 if you want something simple and straight to the point.

@dr1978

IIRC, this gent bought my ruby red Cary SLP-98 with silver face plate . . . gorgeous !

he tried selling after a period of time . . . I don't think it ever moved. No clue why. Exquisite piece of kit!

Reach out

Thanks for the heads up but I've dealt with him not too long ago...never again. I'll just leave it there.

jbreezy5

Phil, for your implementation I would steer clear of the Freya+. Not b/c it’s bad, but I think a better system match exists.

I believe your Parasound amp has a high input impedance which is good when mating to a tube preamp (most tube preamps have high output impedances and require a high input impedance on the amp to avoid roll-off at the frequency extremes).

However, as an owner of the Freya+, I can tell you that even with proper matching, you will find that the volume pot will need to be run from 11 o’clock (to reach audibility) or higher to reach satisfying listening levels. Your Maggies already have relatively low sensitivity which may exacerbate SPL frustration with this preamp (I have gotten near the top of the entire range of the volume pot before).

Also despite what is advertised, the Schiit Freya+ doesn't allow precise volume adjustment with the remote; a quick button press goes through 2-3 volume relay clicks on average. For this reason alone I’d take the Alps Blue Velvet volume pot since it is quieter, if I’m going to give up volume precision.

That said, I think you could do well with a PrimaLuna Tube Pre with ht bypass, as I think its sonics are akin to Parasound Halo; slightly warm, with some nice detail/texture.

I’ve seen some Dialogue Premium pres in your price range lately. These were the best PrimaLuna made, imo, b/c they had Mundorf caps in them. Also look for Prologue Premium pre for lower cost. Either should be a good match.

Try before you buy, as always.

Good luck.

pearsall001

jbreezy5 wrote: »

Phil, for your implementation I would steer clear of the Freya+. Not b/c it’s bad, but I think a better system match exists.

I believe your Parasound amp has a high input impedance which is good when mating to a tube preamp (most tube preamps have high output impedances and require a high input impedance on the amp to avoid roll-off at the frequency extremes).

However, as an owner of the Freya+, I can tell you that even with proper matching, you will find that the volume pot will need to be run from 11 o’clock (to reach audibility) or higher to reach satisfying listening levels. Your Maggies already have relatively low sensitivity which may exacerbate SPL frustration with this preamp (I have gotten near the top of the entire range of the volume pot before).

Also despite what is advertised, the Schiit Freya+ doesn't allow precise volume adjustment with the remote; a quick button press goes through 2-3 volume relay clicks on average. For this reason alone I’d take the Alps Blue Velvet volume pot since it is quieter, if I’m going to give up volume precision.

That said, I think you could do well with a PrimaLuna Tube Pre with ht bypass, as I think its sonics are akin to Parasound Halo; slightly warm, with some nice detail/texture.

I’ve seen some Dialogue Premium pres in your price range lately. These were the best PrimaLuna made, imo, b/c they had Mundorf caps in them. Also look for Prologue Premium pre for lower cost. Either should be a good match.

Try before you buy, as always.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info. I did wonder about the volume control on the Freya +. The Prima Luna line looks interesting though. I never really had them on my radar.