Need help with pre-amp selection!!!

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited May 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
Well, you guys talked me into it. Now it's time to go shopping for a pre-amp. Tube, SS or hybrid? What's your recommendations. I want it to have remote control, & some sort of HT pass thru. It will be used along w/ my NAD T773receiver. My speakers are AAD 2001 monitor's, source (for now) is the OPPO DVD/CD player. I have a SVS sub for HT, I don't use the sub for 2 channel because the AAD monitors have incredible bass & sound superb in both HT & 2 channel. I'm really looking to get to the next level for 2 channel listening. My budget is approx. $1500.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Comments

  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2006
    Maybe a seperate 2ch rig? $1500 is a lot of cash. I wouldn't put a $1500 tube preamp on a receiver. How about this, a 2ch rig with seperate pre and amp which becomes your front L&R HT speakers if you select AUX input? (fed from your receiver). 2ch system for stereo and turn on the receiver when using as an HT.

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2006
    madmax,
    When I listed my componets I left out the 2 channel amp that I have - a Van Alstine OmegaStar 440EX solid state 220x2. I'm looking for preamps that you guys have used & could recommend that would elevate my 2 channel listening. Thanks
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Normanality
    Normanality Posts: 297
    edited May 2006
    I'm happy with my VTL 2.5 preamp. You can find them used on the Gon for about $750ish give or take. Once I rolled in some Mullards and Sylvanias, the sound opened up with a good bottom end.

    It has the HT bypass switch you are looking for also.
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2006
    Phil have you demoed the P8 yet?

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2006
    The audible illusions 3A has really awesome sound but is a little clunky with no remote.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2006
    Mike, I'm waiting to hear back from Andrew in regards to a dealer issue before ordering. I read your post about you bringing your gear to Andrew's house. It sounds like you really liked the NuForce P-8. Did it really compare well to the Modwright preamp? I am very curious to hear how it sounds in my system mated to my Van Alstine OmegaStar 440EX solid state amp. Any other suggestions on other preamps to give a try? I set my budget at $1500 but by no means do I have to spend it all on a preamp. Just looking to elevate my 2 channel music listening.

    Phil
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2006
    In Andrew's system the P8 outperformed the Modwright pretty significantly. It was more dynamic, had way more resolution, and had much more of a 3 dimensional soundstage. The sound really comes away from the speakers and is more like one is wearing headphones.

    The couple of times that I have demoed gear at Andrew's for whatever reason the tube sound just does not translate in his system. That heavy weighted, rich, lush sound that we attribute to tubes just isn't there. All we hear is less resolution. I don't know if it is his room (no hard surfaces) or his speakers, it just doesn't happen.

    I think that the Modwright sounds very good in my system. I intend on comparing the two preamps in my current system, but just haven't gotten around to it.

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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