2-ch preamp?

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unc2701
unc2701 Posts: 3,587
edited April 2005 in 2 Channel Audio
Anybody have a favorite sub $300-$400 two channel preamp? Obviously I'm looking at used, would like a phono stage, but not absolutely needed. It'll go with an Adcom 555. I've been kicking around old adcom, bryston, & aragon since I have experience with all of those, but I figured I could branch out some.
Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
Post edited by unc2701 on
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2005
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    I'm pretty impressed so far with the Parasound P/HP-850. Some say the phono stage is a bit questionable, but since I don't plan to ever go back to that media, not a problem for me. I actually picked up two of these recently due to a little mis-communication, and I am keeping the second one because they are so good. If you watch you should be able to pick one up for under $200.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited April 2005
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    I have a McCormack TLC-1 that I REALLY like. It can be had in that price range. It has both passive and buffered outputs. Passive outputs are VERY transparent and the buffered outs have a little more drive to them. GREAT pre for the money!
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited April 2005
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    +1 on the Parasound PHP-850 or used PLD-1100.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited April 2005
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    Cool, thanks for the tips- based on ebay & audiogon, the McCormack is a little out of my range, but I'll give the parasound a shot- a bunch of people around here seem to be fans.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited April 2005
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    Originally posted by unc2701
    Cool, thanks for the tips- based on ebay & audiogon, the McCormack is a little out of my range, but I'll give the parasound a shot- a bunch of people around here seem to be fans.
    The McCormack usually sells for around $350. The only one listed at audiogon right now has a remote, which is pretty rare. most all the TLC-1's do not have remote control.

    Be patient, it will be worth the wait! ;)
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited April 2005
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    add another on the parasound 850


    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited April 2005
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    Ahhhh, that makes sense- I'll give it a week or two to see if a McCormack pops up.

    One other thing: has anyone used a Cambridge Azur 540/640 as a pre? Currently I'll be powering LSi9's which would need the high current of the Adcom, but at some point I'm planning on moving those into a 7.1 system and making some high efficiency voight-pipe Fostex single drivers. The 640 is a little out of my target price range, but it'd save me a purchase down the road.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2005
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    If you can grab one reasonable, the Cambridge 500 pre-amp comes up for sale pretty regularly on Audiogon and Ebay. This is a good pre-amp, if you like the British take on what things should sound like! I have seen them go from $150 to $300 used.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2005
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    Anthem Pre2L(Pre1L) is a great tube pre-amp for a modest price, and it will walk all over the Parasound and Cambridge.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • pjdami
    pjdami Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2005
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    Originally posted by dorokusai
    Anthem Pre2L(Pre1L) is a great tube pre-amp for a modest price, and it will walk all over the Parasound and Cambridge.

    I also vote to "think outside of the box" and try out a tube preamp especially for a two channel rig.

    Preamp tubes generally last a lot longer than tubes for amps and should be low maintenance. Definitely a great way to start experimenting with tubes is to start with a tube preamp. Expect maintenance cost to be about $25/ every 2 - 3 years for entry level russian tubes to about $100 / 4+ years for some really nice top of the line NOS tubes. Of course, there are more affordable NOS tubes in the $30 - $50 / pair range that should last a long time too and sound really good. These are just approximate costs and life values to get you thinking about it.
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited April 2005
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    a good passive preamp with a home theater bypass option is the odyssey etesian at $350 new with a 20 year waranty 30 day money back trial period and it is made in america!
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited April 2005
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    hey doro- what's a reasonable price on that Anthem?
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2005
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    <500 easy.

    Emlyn may have one for sale, as he just upgraded to an SF. I have one also, but it won't be for sale for a couple months.

    If you want to wait, I'll hook you up nicely....and with extra tubes.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited April 2005
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    Thanks, man! I'll put up a WTB in the meantime - i've been wanting to get into tubes for awhile.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2005
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    Unc,
    Check out Russ' thread on the Dodd pre amp.

    Maurice
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2005
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    I've owned one of them as well, and it's certainly stellar.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited April 2005
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    I'm on it... dropped them an email right after I saw russman's post, but probably too late to hear anything today. I figure if I hate it, there's plenty of people around here that'll pick it up :)
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2005
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    You won't hate it.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2005
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    Hate it? No way! You never forget your first tube experience.

    Maurice
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