to pre or not to pre

phipiper10

Looking for some advice/feedback please -

My plan is to obtain an Anthem pre-2l like was just sold in the FM. This pre because - it is tube based, has HT pass, a remote and supposedly is flexible with different tubes that can be used and all this around my $500-$600 price point.

The other thing I've been considering is changing out my Rotel for Parasound A23 which probably could be done for not a lot more $$.

My questions are these-

Any other options for the type of pre I'm looking at?
Do you see any synergy problems with the Rotel or Parasound amps being used with the Anthem pre?
Will I really lose anything going from the 330w to 225w
Which should I change first the amp or the pre?

I'm getting the impression the Parasound might be warmer than the Rotel - coupled with the tube CD player and the pre - I'm wondering if this might be too much?

Thanks guys.

Rich

reeltrouble1

I have heard the Anthem with a parasound, well, ok, Doro's BBQ is not exactly any parasound, but, I would say you would be very happy with your proposed combination, excellent quality nice pre great sound and the parasound amps really can put the bass out, I would go for it. Another option would be the Anthem hybird amps, tube input and ss output, there were two of them at the SC Polkfest in 06, they got hooked up and stayed hooked up, when they come up they are reasonable in cost, if I remember they were 150 @ 8 ohms at pushed the SDA's with power to spare.

RT1

Early B.

Change the pre first.

Consider other amps besides Parasound. Take your time. Do lots of research. You want to make sure your amp change is vertical, not lateral.

phipiper10

Yeah good point on doing the pre first..I suspect I could more easily "try" different amps before committing to anything.