What's the best preamplifier I can get for $1000?

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited November 2008 in The Clubhouse
I may be selling my Dodd here in a bit because I refuse to go into debt or hit my general savings to buy my Girlfriend an engagement ring. I know I'm crazy, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

So, Odyssey Candela for a grand? Or Manley Shrimp for a grand? Any other ideas?
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2008
    Is a remote volume control a dealbreaker?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    Nope, my joints are still good.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,578
    edited November 2008
    Odyssey Candela

    or you can get the Tempest (1,500 new) for around 600 bucks on Agon or the Bay
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I may be selling my Dodd here in a bit because I refuse to go into debt or hit my general savings to buy my Girlfriend an engagement ring. I know I'm crazy, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

    So, Odyssey Candela for a grand? Or Manley Shrimp for a grand? Any other ideas?

    Other than the two that you have mentioned,I would look a the BAT Vk3i,, should go for about 1000+/-,, good luck,keep us posted as to what you end up with.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    I want to stay away from the balanced inputs and outputs. Does anyone know how the Candela and Shrimp might compare? Any idea how big a drop it will be from the Dodd? Which might be the most graceful drop? Will it be a drop at all?
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    One big benefit to the Odyssey is that Klaus is in my backyard and over here all the time to check on my equipment. So even used, I'd pretty much get full service. That's the kind of relationship Gary Dodd has given me so I'd like not to give that up either.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2008
    Here's one that I've wondered about,, ptp wiring,uses sonicaps,remote,,has good feedback,, just curious if anyone has any experience/comments. I noticed that you have the Khartago's,, the Candela may be your best bet for the money. I know how you feel about your Dodd,,I've got an MLP and two ELP's,,and I just can't seem to let them go,,for now,at least. ;)


    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1231085910&/Audio-Mirror-T-61-tube-preamp-
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2008
    What about the Ground Grd Preamp?

    TranscendentGGfront01.jpg

    http://www.transcendentsound.com/preampkit.htm
    Jake
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2008
    This,, and I'll leave ya'll alone for now ;):D

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1231851194&/Quicksilver-Remote-Preamp-Mint
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    Man you guys have given me some really compelling choices. I'm going to have to sit down with my Dodd playing some good tunes and really consider what can replace it least painfully.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited November 2008
    Pass/First watt B1 http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0708/first_watt_b1_preamplifier.htm
    Either buy the kit or the factory built unit.Its very transparent and will allow all the detail from your amazing BCD1 to reach the Behringer.


    With the Bryston's 2 volts output level extra gain in the pre is likely not needed.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2008
    I have owned the Odyssey Candela. BAT VK 3i and now a VTL 2.5 and they all hover around the 1 grand mark used.I have also seen the Modwright 9.0SE go for just a little over a grand. It is tough to know what someone elses preferences may be but all of these preamps sound very good for the money :) good luck....WCW III
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I want to stay away from the balanced inputs and outputs. Does anyone know how the Candela and Shrimp might compare? Any idea how big a drop it will be from the Dodd? Which might be the most graceful drop? Will it be a drop at all?
    The VK 3i has balanced and single ended inputs and outputs as well as balanced ;)
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2008
    oops!
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    Giving up my Dodd may be more fun than I thought. This is like shopping in a candy store all of a sudden.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2008
    Get the best you can from Audio Research.
    _________________________________________________
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    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited November 2008
    Go passive. Get a used Placette RVC:

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1232111625&/Placette-Passive-RVC-RCA-one-i
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Go passive. Get a used Placette RVC:

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1232111625&/Placette-Passive-RVC-RCA-one-i

    How's the detail and low end one of these? I'm not sure how one of these works. Does it allow for loud sound levels? It's very very quiet right?
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  • ajcllc
    ajcllc Posts: 138
    edited November 2008
    Get a used Mcalister or Juicy Music.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    ajcllc wrote: »
    Get a used Mcalister or Juicy Music.

    Ooooh, finally a suggestion I don't like.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited November 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    How's the detail and low end one of these? I'm not sure how one of these works. Does it allow for loud sound levels? It's very very quiet right?

    I have one, so that ought to tell ya somethin'.

    OK, maybe not.

    The Placette is basically a resistor-based volume control with a remote. No caps, tubes, power supllies, etc. Nada. Zip. So what you're hearing from a good passive is nothing at all. It attenuates the signal from the source to the amp. That's it. So if the source is detailed and has plenty of low end, ideally that's what's gonna come out of your speakers. And, of course, it's dead quiet.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2008
    Another option in the passive department: http://www.goldpt.com/sa4ht.html

    It's similar to the Placette that it's also a resistor based volume control, but there is no remote option(yet). It also has HT bypass, so you can have the best of both worlds. Plus, it's cheaper and not nearly as ugly as the Placette. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2008
    Thread on A-gon about passives.
    http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1227410502
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • ajcllc
    ajcllc Posts: 138
    edited November 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Ooooh, finally a suggestion I don't like.

    Why? Please explain.
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited November 2008
    Check out the reviews on this one. I have it and it is excellent.


    http://www.hagtech.com/clarinet.html
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    ajcllc wrote: »
    Why? Please explain.

    Sorry no offense. Just not what I like out of tube gear. I find their stuff to be way too romantic with an irritating propensity to blur details.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,185
    edited November 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I may be selling my Dodd here in a bit because I refuse to go into debt or hit my general savings to buy my Girlfriend an engagement ring. I know I'm crazy, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

    So, Odyssey Candela for a grand? Or Manley Shrimp for a grand? Any other ideas?

    Bro, how old are you??? Just asking, she is the one huh??? We all have to make choices and doing the right thing here is key. Good luck with this.

    I got nothing for yeah on the preamp front, it's so wide open and hard to narrow it down. I don't even know what level or what you want it to sound like.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    mantis wrote: »
    Bro, how old are you??? Just asking, she is the one huh??? We all have to make choices and doing the right thing here is key. Good luck with this.

    I got nothing for yeah on the preamp front, it's so wide open and hard to narrow it down. I don't even know what level or what you want it to sound like.

    Dan

    LOL. I'm 26. No one is twisting my arm here. We've been dating for about 4 years now. I can think of few reasons to sell my gear. Doing it to be engaged to my girlfriend would be an absolute gift.

    That being said, as of now I'm just playing with the idea of selling my Dodd . . . testing the water. My girlfriend is against it. Really it doesn't matter. I can just wait to save more as time goes on. I'm just excited because I finally found a ring I like for her and a jeweler that is great to work with.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,454
    edited November 2008
    Just make sure you get one that doesn't require batteries.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Get the best you can from Audio Research.

    +1. Great stuff.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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