Time for a new preamp

concealer404

As title says.... it's time to step up. I realize that my amp is arguably my weak link right now, but it bugs me far less than my preamp.

Here's my criteria:

1) Solid State only. My girlfriend uses my system, and i don't trust her to remember to warm up the tubes before trying to play. In addition, it's a rabbit hole i really don't have the patience or funds for at the moment while i'm trying to finish my race car at the same time.

2) Remote. The system will be used in the bedroom double duty for music and movies.

3) Sub out. I'm sick of daisy-chaining my speakers and not being able to set a crossover where the mains really need it.

4) $400 or less, give or take. Will spend slightly more if something amazing comes up.

5) New or used, doesn't matter in the slightest.

6) Black face. Sounds stupid, i know.... but i have all black face gear right now, with the exception of my cdp, and it eats away at me horribly. I'm just that anal.


So that's that. If anyone could throw me some suggestions of what to try or keep an eye out for, that would be great.

I appreciate it!

nikolas812

No experience with them. But I've heard good things about the Rotel Pres.

You can get a Rotel RC1070 for $250-$400 used. It should meet all your requirments. But you might want to double check..


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1254098666&/Rotel-RC-1070-Excellent-condit







Nik

Face

Save a little more and buy an Adcom GFP-750.

concealer404

Close.... No sub out though.

Very classy looking, though.

I appreciatcha Nik!

DollarDave

B&K PT-5 - even has a loudness contour for those of us that prefer that. I have even used mine with a tube buffer and that works well, too. Although it doesn't need to be "warmed up" with the buffer.

Face

It has 2 pairs of outputs. Does your sub only have a LFE input?

concealer404

Face wrote: »

Save a little more and buy an Adcom GFP-750.

This have a sub out? One of my biggest issues right now is the need to run the mains full range, and i won't have space for awhile to get a speaker truly capable of producing the meat i'm looking for without a sub.

concealer404

Face wrote: »

It has 2 pairs of outputs. Does your sub only have a LFE input?

It's got inputs for the normal rca output.

Main problem is lack of crossover/filter, it seems.


I may be looking for something that doesn't exist, i'm honestly not sure. I hope not.

I haven't decided if i'm going to run the RW-10D in the 2-channel once i move, or swap out for two Mirage Omni S8s. Either way, they both have all necessary hookups for most formats.

concealer404

I apologize if it seems that i'm just throwing all suggestions out, it's not my intention, by the way.

I'm just not sure where to start looking. I'm still trying to find info on the B&K.

DollarDave

The B&K has a sub out and the x-over is somewhere in the 80 to 100 range. You can run it either with full-range speakers (I do with my CRS+'s), or as sub-satelite. I also knock the x-over down a notch to 70 hz with a single f-mod rca-style filter from parts express.

The PT-5 has balanced outputs along with the traditional rca and I think the balanced outs is the only difference from the PT-3's.

It does not have phone inputs, so you would need something like the NAD pp-2 (I use)..

comfortablycurt

Parasound New Classic Model 2100.

It's a little over your price range...but it seems to meet all of your criteria.

concealer404

DaveMuell wrote: »

The B&K has a sub out and the x-over is somewhere in the 80 to 100 range. You can run it either with full-range speakers (I do with my CRS+'s), or as sub-satelite. I also knock the x-over down a notch to 70 hz with a single f-mod rca-style filter from parts express.

The PT-5 has balanced outputs along with the traditional rca and I think the balanced outs is the only difference from the PT-3's.

It does not have phone inputs, so you would need something like the NAD pp-2 (I use)..

That's fine.... my Adcom has phone inputs if i ever feel like going to vinyl, which i doubt will happen.

PT-5 sounds like a good bet so far! Now i just have to track one down.


Keep the suggestions coming, i'd like to buy something because i tried it and liked it, not because it was my only option.

DollarDave

Here is a link to an e-bay auction for a PT-3 II. The units are identical looking, so the picture can be a reference for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370241507219&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

concealer404

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Parasound New Classic Model 2100.

It's a little over your price range...but it seems to meet all of your criteria.

Oohhhh.... i LIKE that. Only slight beef is lack of balanced in/outs, but that's not important criteria for me right now, and probably a lot to ask in my price range.

comfortablycurt

concealer404 wrote: »

Oohhhh.... i LIKE that. Only slight beef is lack of balanced in/outs, but that's not important criteria for me right now, and probably a lot to ask in my price range.

Yeah...I was tossing the 2100 around for quite a while. I may still end up picking one up a little farther down the road.

And yes...balanced connections are hard to come by in your price range.

NewHTguy

I've got your Parasound right here. Jump on it before someone else does.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=0PAC2100

comfortablycurt

NewHTguy wrote: »

I've got your Parasound right here. Jump on it before someone else does.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=0PAC2100

There ya go!

Run, don't walk! That isn't gonna last long.

Killer price for the 2100.

NewHTguy

You can't beat $399 with full warranty.

concealer404

Nope, sure can't....

Wasn't planning buying quite this soon, which is why i started the thread now, but i'll see what i can do.

And it's got TWO sub outs. SCORE!

NewHTguy

I would buy it if I had room. My Sanus stand is busting at the seems! FWIW, I've bought clearance items from AA before and they have always looked new to me.

Conradicles

Sorry man, I just bought it....


















Sike! JK

concealer404

Conradicles wrote: »

Sorry man, I just bought it....

Hahaha, that would have been ok. I'm sure i'd be able to find another at a price i could live with.

Like i said, i'm not 100% sure i can swing this at the moment, but it's definitely a contender. If i can grab it at $400, done deal. If i can't, then i'll continue to research a little more, but i have a feeling i'll end up with one of these.

Anyone here used one? What's the sound characteristics of it? It'll be paired with the Oinker in my sig for at least a couple months, and i don't want my ears to bleed or anything.

tryrrthg

how about a FREE one? PM to you on the way.

miner

The Rotel RC-1070 has two sets of pre outs - one of which can be used for your sub. Your sub should have a varuable Xover dial to set your crossover to (i.e.: 80 Hz). I ran my early Rotel/B&W setup like this.

concealer404

miner wrote: »

The Rotel RC-1070 has two sets of pre outs - one of which can be used for your sub. Your sub should have a varuable Xover dial to set your crossover to (i.e.: 80 Hz). I ran my early Rotel/B&W setup like this.

Yep. That's the problem. I don't run huge mains, so when i start to push the volume envelope it starts to get a little choppy because with what you're talking about (how i have mine set up now as well) there isn't anything filtering out what goes to the mains.

miner

concealer404 wrote: »

Yep. That's the problem. I don't run huge mains, so when i start to push the volume envelope it starts to get a little choppy because with what you're talking about (how i have mine set up now as well) there isn't anything filtering out what goes to the mains.

Go from pre to sub and then from sub to amp. Ths sub crossover will filter low freq from the signal that goes to the amp (which feeds your mains). I run my analogue set up like this and have sub filter set @ 80 Hz. I was hesitant to do this at first(adding another xover to the chain) but it is working out well so far.

nikolas812

miner wrote: »

The Rotel RC-1070 has two sets of pre outs - one of which can be used for your sub. Your sub should have a varuable Xover dial to set your crossover to (i.e.: 80 Hz). I ran my early Rotel/B&W setup like this.

Thats what I was thinking too...






Nik

concealer404

miner wrote: »

Go from pre to sub and then from sub to amp. Ths sub crossover will filter low freq from the signal that goes to the amp (which feeds your mains). I run my analogue set up like this and have sub filter set @ 80 Hz. I was hesitant to do this at first(adding another xover to the chain) but it is working out well so far.

Hrmmm.... i think right now i have it running from amp to sub to mains.

I didn't think of that....

Thanks! I may actually try this tonite, i can do this on my Adcom.

danger boy

if you're looking for a pre amp... check out a used Outlaw Audio 990. they are being replaced soon with a new 997.. the new ones aren't to expensive even.. but used you might find for a sweet deal. and I think they have all your needed in's and out's.

concealer404

danger boy wrote: »

if you're looking for a pre amp... check out a used Outlaw Audio 990. they are being replaced soon with a new 997.. the new ones aren't to expensive even.. but used you might find for a sweet deal. and I think they have all your needed in's and out's.

Hahaha! And then some! Interesting idea though.... Double duty still in case i decide to run a surround setup in the bedroom later.

Thanks! Definitely has everything, just have to decide if that's something that i'll actually utilize properly or not.

marley debbie

I like what I read.

what do you think about this baby:

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Tube-Head-Pre-Amp-with-Black-Face-Plate-NIB-Firestone_W0QQitemZ260311116875QQihZ016QQcategoryZ12050QQcmdZViewItem

i consider this a real good deal
look at the price!!!