2 channel preamp suggestions?

Norm Apter

Help! :eek: I'm getting totally sucked into Club Polk!

OK, so my thinking on what I need to do has changed drastically ever since I joined CP last week. This change has come from responses to some threads on different topics. Now, I'd like to ask for some suggestions for a preamp. For those of you who didn't read those posts, this preamp would be paired with one pair of Polk Lsi9s, Marantz CD5001, and a not-yet-purchased amp Parasound Halo A23 (or an amp of similar quality/level).

Gaara and others have suggested the possibility of B&K pt.3 series II as well as other brands such as NAD, Nakamichi, Rotel, and Adcom. I've visited AudiogoN (thanks Gaara) several times, but when I do search, for example, for Adcom PREs, about a dozen come up, all different models. So while I can find many PREs among the brands listed above, I am still hoping to field some more specific suggestions when it comes to particular models (solid-state and tube suggestions are both welcome).

Here's the crux of the issue. Though I know the sky is the limit as far as quality/prices go, I want to find something that would make for a good match with the two anchors of my system -- the Lsi9s and the Marantz CD player --, that is, something that is "good enough" but doesn't need to be "beyond" Lsi9 level. I've read a lot of reviews at places like audioreview.com, however, many such opinions are tied, to some extent, to the other equipment/speakers that the reviewer is using in conjunction with the preamp in question. Thus, I thought I might get some more relevant advice from people here who have used/use Polk Lsi7s/Lsi9s. I don't really have a particular budget in mind. I'm more concerned at this point with trying to develop a "field of candidates" that would make for a good match with the rest of my two-channel system. Then, later on I can narrow down based on the availability of funds when I want to make my purchase.

So much for my original plan to save my "stimulus check."

dkg999

There are some pretty good options out there that will pair with the gear you have. I think the B&K pre mentioned would not be a bad choice. Others I can recommend would be:

Rogue 66/66 Magnum - tubed pre, should be in the $500 to $650 range used
Parasound P/HP-850 - SS pre, should be in the under $200 range used
Nakamichi CA-5 - SS pre, should be in the $200 to $300 range used
Dodd ELP pre - tubed pre, should be in the $400 to $500 range used
Parasound 2100 pre - this is a recently released pre that I have not listened to
Parasound Halo P3 - would mate cosmetically with your amp choice, and is a nice warm sounding pre, although a little analytical in character for my taste.
Rotel - any of the 10xx series pre's.

Those are the ones that come immediately to mind.

heiney9

Hi again Norm,

Per our PM if you are confused about the Adcom pre's it's because they have several over 2 model generations. Myself personally don't like many of the Adcom pre's.

These 2 are very good for 2 channel use

GFP-710
GFP-715

The GFP-750 as I mentioned in the PM is excellent/outstanding for a SS pre but it may be more than you want to spend at this time.

The rest of the Adcoms (especially the GTP series with built in tuners) are merely average IMO. Nothing to spectacular.

Good luck in your search.

H9

Gaara

I haven't heard many pres, and most of them are passive which is a whole new can of worms. I currently use all passive pre amps, with my LSi rig I use Endler Stepped Attenuators.

From my limited experience with active pres I liked the B&K I heard but can't remember the model, I think it was the PT I mentioned before but am not 100% sure. I had a short listening session with the Halo pre and liked but didn't love it. I had a Modwright for a while and it is still the best I have ever heard, but even used is $1k+.

tcrossma

I'm very happy with my Adcom GFP-750. I don't know what you're wanting to spend, but it can usually be had in the $650-$750 range. Great sound and has an HT bypass to easily integrate it into a HT.