Looking for a Preamp

izafar
izafar Posts: 819
edited September 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
Hi,

I am working on improving my 2 CH setup and have started with the source first. I will be getting Arcam CD73T today. I am also looking for adding a dedicated 2 CH preamp in the mix. I have budget of around $350 and looking for units with Remote Control & Phono Section. So far have narrowed it down to the following two:

Rotel RC 1070
Parasound PLD 1100 (no phono section I believe).

What do you guys think about these, and what other pieces I should be looking at?

thanks,
-izafar

Goldenear Technology Triton 1 - Benchmark AHB2 - Benchmark LA4 - Auralic Vega - Auralic Aries Mini - Marantz TT-15S1 - Clearaudio Nano
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited September 2006
    Congrats on the Arcam CD73T... this is the exact same player I intend to pick up. Did you get it in black or silver?

    Let me know your impressions... I've been salivating over it for a couple of months now.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited September 2006
    How about an Acurus RL11 or LS11? They should be well within your price range and are reputed to perform quite admirably...
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • izafar
    izafar Posts: 819
    edited September 2006
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    Congrats on the Arcam CD73T... this is the exact same player I intend to pick up. Did you get it in black or silver?

    Let me know your impressions... I've been salivating over it for a couple of months now.

    This is in silver, and will be delivered today. I will report my impression soon.
    -izafar

    Goldenear Technology Triton 1 - Benchmark AHB2 - Benchmark LA4 - Auralic Vega - Auralic Aries Mini - Marantz TT-15S1 - Clearaudio Nano
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited September 2006
    nice pick! congrats.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • izafar
    izafar Posts: 819
    edited September 2006
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    How about an Acurus RL11 or LS11? They should be well within your price range and are reputed to perform quite admirably...
    There is an LS11 on bay and I will be watching it. There is also an RL11 + A80 amp combo on audiogon. I am asking seller if he can sell pre-amp individually.
    -izafar

    Goldenear Technology Triton 1 - Benchmark AHB2 - Benchmark LA4 - Auralic Vega - Auralic Aries Mini - Marantz TT-15S1 - Clearaudio Nano
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited September 2006
    Good call... I believe the only difference between the two is a remote control. Otherwise, one can usually be had for about $75 cheaper than the other. Don't quiz me right now, because I confuse the two model #'s:p

    At their general used pricepoint, they're considered a tremendous value. If you haven't already done so, read up on 'em.

    edit-- LS11 is without remote
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited September 2006
    I also think Zero has a IRD purist preamp for sale in the flea market. I'm sure he would be more than happy to give you all the info you need if you shoot him a PM. Should be somewhat in your price range as well.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited September 2006
    Adcom is a solid choice; and if you are looking for a stellar phono section and excellent build quality the Nakamichi CA-5 and CA-5II are real sleepers and can be had on the very cheap.

    The CA-5II has tone controls the CA-5 does not. Great sounding pre (better than the Adcom IMHO) soild build quality and usually less than $250.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • izafar
    izafar Posts: 819
    edited September 2006
    Thanks guys for the good suggestions, I have added Adcom GFP-565 to the list.
    -izafar

    Goldenear Technology Triton 1 - Benchmark AHB2 - Benchmark LA4 - Auralic Vega - Auralic Aries Mini - Marantz TT-15S1 - Clearaudio Nano
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  • Toka78
    Toka78 Posts: 192
    edited September 2006
    Keep an eye out for a Yamaha CX-1 while you are looking around...somewhat hard to find but its very well built, and meets your requirements (I think so anyway, I have no idea what they garner on the used market these days). Not the best Yamaha made but it has a remote at least. Dead-quiet phono section too, even for MC carts.
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  • GATOR3000
    GATOR3000 Posts: 355
    edited September 2006
    Don’t mean to hijack the thread, does anyone has any input on Denon Pra-1500 preamp? I have the opportunity to get one for a decent $$.

    Thanks

    Gator :):)
    Theatre System 5.1
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  • Toka78
    Toka78 Posts: 192
    edited September 2006
    GATOR3000 wrote:
    Don’t mean to hijack the thread, does anyone has any input on Denon Pra-1500 preamp? I have the opportunity to get one for a decent $$.

    Never heard one myself, but its very versatile as far as inputs/outputs go (balanced outs, passive/active modes, subsonic filter, etc.). Has some video options too...not usually a good omen for audio performance but that isn't a rule. Should have a remote too. Looks well built, as Denon's of that era are known to be. Not sure what a 'decent' price would be, but its rather rare to see on US soil so its probably worth going for...could probably flip it if you don't like it.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited September 2006
    izafar wrote:
    Thanks guys for the good suggestions, I have added Adcom GFP-565 to the list.

    The Adcom and the Nakamichi preamps do not have remote controls. I have owned all three and they all have good phono sections. I liked the phono section of the Nak CA-5A II the best.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited September 2006
    outlaw 990 if you have the space, sounds exellent and has phono (which I enjoy at a friends house)

    Audio Physic Scorpio II
    Pathos Logos
    MIT Shotgun S3
    Bada HD-22 CDP
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2006
    The Older NAD series of pre amp do not have a remote but they are at the top of the game for ss sound quality and features, noted phono stages are exceptional, I still have my NAD 1130. You can pick them up on the Gon for little dough.

    RT1
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  • marantz 2325
    marantz 2325 Posts: 6
    edited September 2006
    to be really honest with u look at the old marantz so far by what ive heard an seen there one of the best crisp clean sound im runnin all marantz stuff ive had the same system for bout f15 yrs now not one prob im also runnin an amp called the ampzilla made by a company in cali g.a.s. they r no longer in bussinness though do a google search on it great american sound ull be impressed
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