Is a pre-amp a worthy upgrade?

pearsall001

Hi guys, just kickin the idea around. I presently have a NAD T773 receiver that I am very happy with for both HT and also used as a pre-amp for 2 channel music. Our tax money just came & after giving the wife her play money I have approx $1500 to play with. How would a separate pre-amp benefit me? I know that separates generally are the way to go but I need some convincing. I'm open to your suggestions on the matter. Tubes, SS, hybrid, what are the benefits & differences between them? Should I go for it or spend the money on something else? What brands do you recommend?
Thanks

ND13

Is a pre-amp a worthy upgrade?

Yep:D

Skynut

I like my older sunfire but I am trying to upgrade it to a Sherbourn.

I assume you have a decent amp already?

McLoki

Two channel, Home Theater, or both?

(actually for any of them - it is a great upgrade, but especially for 2 channel work you will notice it) I don't know how happy you are with your NAD now, but I noticed a large difference between the Onkyo that I am currently running and the Rotel 1066 that Opus brought over (in both movies and music). There was no "I thought I heard" type differences - it was night and day.

I am sure your NAD is better than my Onkyo, but you would still notice the upgrade I bet. Any stores near you allow for a in home demo?

Michael

mulveling

Swapping preamps has made a pretty significant difference in my system. Since I graduated from receiver-ville (Denon 3805) I've gone from Outlaw M200 monoblocks to an PS Audio HCA-2 poweramp. That was a pretty nice step up on all fronts. However, I think upgrading the preamp has made a slightly bigger difference than even that.

For preamp, I started with a Sugden Headmaster, then went to a PS Audio PCA2 - I didn't like the PCA2; it was smooth sounding but lacked dynamics. The Headmaster had better dynamics but was a bit harsh and dry at times. Then I got a Melos SHA-Gold Reference preamp, and it blew the other two away. Better dynamics than the Headmaster AND smoother than the PCA2. An excellent upgarde for just $850 (used).

It's also pretty critical that your preamp is a good match for your system - the Taylo Ref monitors were too analytical and too dry with the headmaster, but perfect with the Melos.

I'm big into headphones (kind of an understatement, actually), and the headphone amp is very similar to the speaker preamplifier. In fact I got the Sugden and Melos because they do double duty as preamp & headphone amp. So far I've found the preamp makes a similar difference as a headphone amp in a high end headphone system; that is to say it's quite important!

organ

It certainly does. 2-channel audio is very serious stuff and the difference can be huge. See if you could get a loaner from the dealer.

haimoc

Yes, a preamp will make your system sound fuller and better. If you have a music and HT system together and with $1500.00 budget, I would recommend you to check out a second-hand processor/preamp Arcam AVP700from Audiogon. The Arcam AVP700 comes with switching HDMI inputs, too. Compared one-to-one with processor/preamp Rotel 1068 (no HDMI input), the Arcam AVP700 2-channel preamp sounds much more better....

ND13

ND13 wrote:

Is a pre-amp a worthy upgrade?

Yep:D

Let me expound:p

Adding the Dodd ELP to my rig made the single greatest improvement to my rig. I already had a decent source(modded AMC CD8b), at the time, so when I upgraded sources to the tubed Sheng Ya, the improvement was noticeable, for sure, but just not as profound as the Dodd. Same goes for amps. When I upgraded from the AMC 2100 to the Parasound HCA1200II, the improvement was much more subtle at the lower listening levels that I'm forced to endure. On the rare occasion I get to crank it up, the improvements are more apparent, but still not as profound as the DOdd's improvement, which were night and day.

I don't want to sound completely tubified, but I am:D , but I highly advise getting a nice, pre-owned, entry
-level tubed pre. Even if you decide that tubes aren't for you, you should have no problems recouping your $$$. Try finding one that utilizes 1 or 2 6DJ8s or 12A*7 variant tubes. They are the most common and there are plenty of good newer production tubes to be had before you start to get into NOS tubes.

Good Luck

ohskigod

if you want this for your theater, perhap you should get one with a ht bypass. this will allow you to use your pre/pro for home theater, but the tube pre for 2 channel. this will DRASTICALLY enhance the 2 channel experience

oh, and I second the Dodd ELP reccomendation. I still own mine, and probably wont part with it. I have since upgraded to an Anthem PRE 2l which is little more detailed and whatnot, but not by much. You can get the Dodd with the Home Theater bypass as well.