Pre-amp suggestions

wingzam
wingzam Posts: 201
edited February 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I've got an Adcom GFA-5800 amp with SDA-1B's.I've switched between a Pioneer SA-9500II and a Sony STR DA90 ESG HT receiver as my pre-amps.
The Pioneer has a great array of adjustments,but doesn't sound as good as the Sony..after all these years I suppose it needs to be gone thru.
The Sony sounds excellent,but for a 2 channel system it's just overkill,and the Sound Field effects are no replacement for simple Bass and Treble knobs - and a far cry from the Pioneers dual Bass and Treble controls (a set up I prefer even to the SA-9800).
I need some suggestion for a pre-amp.
Initially i'm looking to spend a total of $250-300(including shipping),and as time goes by move up.
That said i'm thinking of having the pre-amp section of the Pioneer redone sometime in the future.Once this is accomplished how would this unit stack up against other pre-amps within its range?
Post edited by wingzam on
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Comments

  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2010
    For simple, clean 2 channel on the cheap, the Carver C-1/C-11 is hard to beat. You can pick one up easily for well under $200.00.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • wingzam
    wingzam Posts: 201
    edited February 2010
    TN "no Polk audio equipment"?? For shame!
    Hey,what is the difference between the 1 and 11?
    There's 5 C-1's for sale on ebay right now!
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2010
    Yeah, well...I sold my last Polk speakers in 1998....

    The C-11 is basically the C-1 with updated electronics & black/anthracite color.

    One note when you're looking; they are getting old now & may new service to bring them back to new specs so bid accordingly. Still an excellent pre. Being newer, the C-11 may be your better bargain right now as they are newer.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • wingzam
    wingzam Posts: 201
    edited February 2010
    Will put that on my list!Thanks
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    Nakamichi CA5 or CA5II. Outstanding pre that you can pick up these days on the cheap. Also has an outstanding phono section if that's your bag.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    wingzam wrote: »
    That said i'm thinking of having the pre-amp section of the Pioneer redone sometime in the future.Once this is accomplished how would this unit stack up against other pre-amps within its range?

    I wouldn't bother if the only reason you're having it redone is to use a pre-amp. A newer dedicated pre-amp will be better. By all means get it redone if your going to use it as an integrated.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • wingzam
    wingzam Posts: 201
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Nakamichi CA5 or CA5II. Outstanding pre that you can pick up these days on the cheap. Also has an outstanding phono section if that's your bag.

    H9

    Nakamichi,they used names like "Dragon"!...oooohh I used to drool on their stuff back in 1980 at the base Sound Shop.Couldn't afford it back then - next on the list!

    "I wouldn't bother if the only reason you're having it redone is to use a pre-amp. A newer dedicated pre-amp will be better. By all means get it redone if your going to use it as an integrated."
    H9[/QUOTE]

    The only reason i'd do it was for the Bass and Treble dual controls,that was a great feature you just don't see anywhere.Plus that great Silver Face,but I agree with going the newer pre-amp.Heck about a month ago a 9500II went for $330 on ebay!Thats a ballpark I wouldn't mind throwing this one into...Will see...i'm kinda fond of the thing.
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  • mguevarra61
    mguevarra61 Posts: 55
    edited February 2010
    Try the Parasound Model 2100 preamp. Maybe you can get a refurbished one for about $400.
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  • bigred7078
    bigred7078 Posts: 477
    edited February 2010
    mguevarra61 wrote: »
    Try the Parasound Model 2100 preamp. Maybe you can get a refurbished one for about $400.

    +1 but I think the refurbs go for like $450ish?

    You can find them used every now and then for $350-$375
    Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 -> USP-1 -> RPA-1 -> Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited February 2010
    Reposting over here:

    Check out this thread.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86866


    Please note that i ended up with a B&K Reference 5 SII. If you can find one of these, this is a VERY nice preamp. I love it.


    Another strange shot out of left field if you can live without a remote would be the Adcom SLC-505. It's a passive preamp that sounds great on some systems, and maybe not quite so great on others.

    I liked it as much as the B&K. Just as much. But for different reasons. But in the end, i wanted a remote, since my 2-channel is also currently doing TV/Movie duty. But that SLC-505 had an amazing soundstage and just sounded "right." Of course, being passive... it may have just been a matter of letting my source and amp play by themselves without interference. Who knows. :D
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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