Help choosing 2-channel preamp

ViperZ

Hi all,

I have a choice of 3 preamps to pair with the following: Carver TFM-24 amp, Mangeplanar MGII speakers, Velodyne ULD-15 subwoofer.

The choices are:
* Adcom GFP-555 II
* NAD 1300
* Carver C-1

I only can get a chance to listen to the NAD 1300, the other two are not local.

My only real need would be 2 sets of outputs (for speakers and for the sub).

Which preamp do you think would be a best match, or is a better preamp all together? Why?

Thank you!

mmadden28

Have you considered the Dodd ELP tube pre?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74003
It has two inputs and two outputs.

Not sure if the ones you're looking at have other feautures on them, but the Dodd ELP is sweet fo sure.

ViperZ

My budget is 200-250 tops.

lakesailor

Sometimes you can get an Adcom GTP 600 in that price range. They have a proper sub woofer output and remote control.

strider

I don't think that the C-1 has 2 sets of outputs. Maybe I should say I don't remember mine having 2 sets....

sucks2beme

There are a lot of pre's with bass management. Nad 917. Parasound
p/sp-1000, 1500. Rotel rsp-985. All of them run in that range.
I'm sure there's lot of others. The Parasound has a pretty decent 2.1 channel bypass

4406bbl

There is a gtp-600 in the for sale section for $165.

ViperZ

I really don't need a 5-ch/prologic pre, 2-channel will do.
Regarding proper bass management, Velodyne ULD-15 has an outboard amplifier, which has a built-in filtering circuit (it basically will take a straight preamp output and filter it).

Jonesy

I can't give you a comparison to the actual models you listed. However, my 555II has two sets of outs; "main" and "bypass". The bypass output circumvents everything except the input selector, balance and volume. The main outputs utilize everything on the front panel. I believe both outputs are active so you could utilize the main for the sub and the bypass for a cleaner signal to your mains.

BTW, my power amp is also a Carver and I'm getting great results. Good luck.

skipf

The C-1 does have two sets of main outputs in addition to a tape loop. It has one of the best phono sections available in a pre, and Carver's sonic holography which I believe you will like a lot. It's a very solid pre, clean and transparent when the tone controls are bypassed. At an average range of $125-$200 depending on condition, it's well worth the price.

reeltrouble1

The NAD corporation is generally held above the other two for pre amps. They are found to be slightly to the warm side of neutral. There preamps from that era are noted for having features still in demand today.

NAD meant New Acoustic Dimension, they were the one of the first to bring quality components to market at reasonable cost.

RT1

ViperZ

Thank you, all!

I guess, I'll pick up the Adcom preamp while I will be in Houston next week. If I won't like, I can always get Carver (the seller is in Canada).

I also managed to get Carver CT-28V prologic preamp without the remote. So may use that as a backup.

ViperZ

So I ended up with 3(!!!) preamps to match with Carver TFM-24 and Maggies.

* Carver C-1
* Carver CT-28v
* Marantz AV500

The latter two will need some restoring, so I'll jump on C-1 as soon as I'll receive it.

I never heard Marantz AV500 before (5.1 prologic), but at $20 it was a steal (with RC2000 learning remote included!).