preamp with HT bypass suggestions

cstmar01 · February 2010

OK, I decided that I just need to get a preamp as my receiver is just not cutting it right now. Its not bad but its not that great and I want something better.
Budget right now if I buy would be about 500 max. I am willing to wait and then can go for more (1000 or more)
Current speakers will be used with my RTIA9's however I am looking at getting some bookshelves such as Focal 706V's to use in the future. So right now I would like to have HT bypass. Also would like sub out as well as I do want to run a 2.1 if I decide not to use full range.
Amp I'm looking around right now still too as I was thinking about getting a really nice one and going all out but then decided might not, so that is up in the air right now so ? right now.
I love the sound of tubes, however kinda want to stay away from them right now and possibly move into that later.
Any ideas let me know!

leroyjr1 · February 2010

For $100 more you can get a Adcom GFP-750.

coolsax · February 2010

I've heard good things about the parasound 2100, you can get it new for 650 and find it used for $400, I think thats the route i'm going to go when i save up a few more dollars.

cstmar01 · February 2010

I was looking at possibly picking up the parasound, but was just looking to see if there were any other suggestions. I know there are others out there but when searching through audiogon its hard to find one in the price that I want with that feature (or so I found).

zingo · February 2010

I've heard really good success using a Goldpoint with HT bypass.

concealer404 · February 2010

zingo wrote: »

I've heard really good success using a Goldpoint with HT bypass.

Doesn't Face have one of those for sale now at a nice price?

Face · February 2010

Just sold it last week.

concealer404 · February 2010

D'oh!

cstmar01 · February 2010

I saw it awhile ago, but forgot about it and I was searching for awhile the other day for his sale but couldn't find it.

Now I'm sad.

cstmar01 · February 2010

what would you say is better the Goldpoint or the Parasound. I don't know what the goldpoint goes for around new.
also throw in the Adcom mentioned, however seems like they sell quick on the Agon

cstmar01 · February 2010

I had looked at a Cambridge integrated this weekend at American for 588.00 normally it was like 7 something. However the rep was kinda rude I thought as I asked him if anything by the company has HT bypass and is just a pre and I had to explain to him what HT bypass is...as well as he wouldn't let me listen to the two channel set up for some reason. Granted I wasn't in "business" cloths like I normally have to wear for work, tie and all that jazz, but still. was kinda annoying.

comfortablycurt · February 2010

Before I disassembled my HT, I'd been planning on going with an HT bypass setup to combine my rigs. I was basically dead set on the Parasound 2100 at that point. I've got the Halo P3/A23 combo stuck on the brain now though.:)

Eventually, I plan to put together a new HT setup, with a 2 channel system integrated into it through HT bypass. When that happens, there's a VERY good chance that I'll go with the 2100.

I really like the fact that it has internal bass management, with HT bypass for your AVR's LFE. This lets you integrate stereo subs into your 2 channel rig, while still being able to retain the settings for your HT in the AVR. This is a very enticing feature to me. Having the option of either full range output to your mains, or running them with an 80hz HPF is a nice touch too. I'd love to add some stereo subs to my rig...but I think that's a ways off yet.

I really like it's plethora of inputs/outputs too. The MM/MC phono stage is a great feature, especially since it can be switched to a standard line input.

zingo · February 2010

I also had a Lexicon pre/pro that handled HT and 2 channel. It was a great unit with almost unlimited flexibility.

TG Meat · February 2010

I have Parasound's P7 in my rig. It has HT bypass with bass management for two channel, which I have grown to like very much. It took a little time to get the bass trim right, but now I think it is almost perfect. I never thought twice about my B&W's as full range speakers, but now I am not sure. Music sounds too lean to me now without the subs in the mix.

phipiper10 · February 2010

Tubes can be low maintenance and no trouble if you pretend they aren't there.

Anthem pre's can be had in your range and have tubes.

cstmar01 · February 2010

phipiper10 wrote: »

Tubes can be low maintenance and no trouble if you pretend they aren't there.

Anthem pre's can be had in your range and have tubes.

The only thing I worry with tubes is that I'm going to end up spending a ton on money trying different tubes. Its my nature to tweek things. Which can be good and bad depending on how you look at it.

Hmmmmmmmmm I haven't come across any tube models that have HT bypass but then again I haven't looked at many tube models yet. Oh man the choices just got more.

I was leaning towards the Parasound hardcore for awhile. There is one right now out on the Gon for 345.00 with shipping included OBO but he's newer and its his first sale.
grrrrr choices choices.

Jetmaker737 · February 2010

cstmar01 wrote: »

Hmmmmmmmmm I haven't come across any tube models that have HT bypass but then again I haven't looked at many tube models yet. Oh man the choices just got more.

Off hand I can think of the CJ PV-14L and the TAD-150. There are more!

cstmar01 · February 2010

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

Off hand I can think of the CJ PV-14L and the TAD-150. There are more!

I'll take a look and see if I can find these ones for sale somewhere...

I really like the idea of the bass managment of the parasound. That is something I would really enjoy as I would be running a sub with my set up.

Face · February 2010

cstmar01 wrote: »

what would you say is better the Goldpoint or the Parasound. I don't know what the goldpoint goes for around new.

I'm not familiar with that Parasound.

Dawgfish · February 2010

phipiper10 wrote: »

Tubes can be low maintenance and no trouble if you pretend they aren't there.

Anthem pre's can be had in your range and have tubes.

+1. I own the Anthem Pre 1L and LOVE IT. The Anthem Pre that you would want though with HT bypass is the Pre 2 and I typically see them going for around $400 on Audiogon. Tube rolling can be quite addictive and expensive but it doesn't have to be. I upgraded the stock Sovtech Russian made tubes in my pre to a matched and balanced quad of American made JAN Phillips 6922s and could not be happier. It sounds fantastic. I paid $120 for the quad of Phillips tubes. You may even be able to find an Anthem Pre 2 that has already had the stock tubes upgraded for around that same $400 to $450 price. Now that I have gone the tube route, I'm not going back! If you have been thinking of the going with tubes even the slightest little bit, do it! My system has gone to a whole different level with the tube pre in place.

P.S., I might add that I replaced a Parasound Pre with the Anthem Pre1L. The Parasound is a good sounding unit, especially for solid state, but I am really loving what tubes are doing for my system. I am still using the phono stage in my Parasound Pre as my phono pre however. It has a killer phono stage!

cstmar01 · February 2010

hmm I'll have to keep my eye out for the anthems. I was just afraid of getting into switching my tubes out a lot and spending money on them rather than other things but then again I love the tube sound so who knows. I think I'm just going to save a bunch of money and get everything together all at once so I can just do a pure 2 channel rig by itself, but we'll see.

leroyjr1 · February 2010

cstmar01 wrote: »

hmm I'll have to keep my eye out for the anthems. I was just afraid of getting into switching my tubes out a lot and spending money on them rather than other things but then again I love the tube sound so who knows. I think I'm just going to save a bunch of money and get everything together all at once so I can just do a pure 2 channel rig by itself, but we'll see.

since you are close to Illinois you should talk to the guys down in Rockford to see about attending there audio get together. You'll be able to hear different gear, and see what you like and dislike.

cstmar01 · February 2010

So after some looking I think I am going to go with the parasound for now hat I found on audiogon I might be able to get it for 320 which I didn't think was too bad but I can also pick up a dealer demo model for 400 so if the gon deal falls through I have a back up. I figured it would be a good starting point and then mode on from there. Thanks for the advice guys!

preamp with HT bypass suggestions

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