2 channel preamps...whatcha got?

trubluluc
trubluluc Posts: 2,067
edited September 2004 in Electronics
I've been using my receiver (Yamaha DSP-A1) as my preamp.
I'm ready to buy a dedicated 2 channel preamp for my SDA 1C's.

Could go up to $900 if necessary, would prefer to buy a good quality used unit.

Suggestions?

-Luc
Post edited by trubluluc on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,985
    edited August 2004
    I've got a Perfectionist Audio Components Tube preamp, full of Telefunken smooth plates I could do $750 on.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2004
    Russ-

    I hadn't considered tube, was thinking solid state.
    what brand/model do you regard highly in SS ?
    Seems parasound has a decent unit in the PARASOUND PHP-850, for 350 +/- new.

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited August 2004
    Were you looking for someone to sell you one, or suggestions?

    If you are looking for suggestions, you can't go wrong with the Parasound P/HP-850 for $250 from AudioAdvisor.com.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=PARPHP850&product_name=P/HP-850%20Stereo%20Preamplifier
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2004
    Seems parasound has a decent unit in the PARASOUND PHP-850, for 350 +/- new.

    Shop around. I bought this pre-amp off audiogon for $110. Great pre, of course. No remote, though.
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited August 2004
    You should get into tubes Luc, you won't regret it. The Parasound pre-amp is ok, simple and straightforward.

    I would keep looking.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited August 2004
    Not to change the subject, but for 900 beans, you could also get one hell of an integrated amp.

    The Arcam A85 (used from Audiogon.com) comes to mind.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2004
    but if someone has something ...
    I'm listening.

    Thanks guys!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,997
    edited August 2004
    One word....TUBES!
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,996
    edited August 2004
    The unit that Russ offered up, that is a prime piece of gear right there. He's offering it at a nice price too. It'd be money well spent and I think that you'd be impressed by a piece of gear at that level. Defintly worth consideration.

    I agree with everyone else so far, tubes man, tubes! If I had the money, I'd have tube based components for everything in my rig(s)!
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2004
    ....so that I can read and see what is a :
    Perfectionist Audio Components Tube preamp.

    thanks,

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,985
    edited August 2004
    It's a very small, esoteric company out of New Jersey. I'm not sure they are even in business anymore.

    Here is a webpage http://home.earthlink.net/~idos/ProRef.html with their last series from 2001.

    I have the preamp at Jim Rivers house (fmtunerinfo.com) right now, letting him 'play' with it.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2004
    It's damn near 5pm on Friday and I hope you're holding a cold one and your ears are filled with audio ambrosia.
    After another round with the *#! ex in court Lord knows that's where I'm headed.

    It's probably inevitable that I will get into tubes at some point, and when I do I'm sure I'll go whole hog, or at least half hog.
    But after the news this afternoon, I'm thinking I better go easy for now.
    So I'm thinking that $250 parasound might be as much as I can do.
    Do wish it had remote, as after the first few it's unlikely I'll want to get out of the chair to adjust anything.

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,985
    edited August 2004
    Before you go Parasound for $250, let's discuss some more options for you. There are some GIANT KILLER preamps in that price range.

    Nothing wrong with the Parasound per se, but you do have some options.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited August 2004
    If you want a Parasound preamp with a remote, check this P/LP 1100 model out.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited August 2004
    I've got a Van Alstine - Super PAS 4i. It's a very sweet tube unit. I've also got an AMC - 1100 and an Adcom - GFP-555 but neither of these see too much duty anymore. :D
    Make it Funky! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2004
    Thank you for the suggestions, links, offers.

    Please, keep them coming...
    I'm learning alot.

    thanks!

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited August 2004
    You won't regret getting the PHP-850; its an outstanding preamp at any price. Let it burn-in a good 2 weeks for listening critically.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2004
    Yes, at this point I'm definitely going solid state.
    To do tubes right, which is the only way to do them, I'd want a new amp, wires, etc.
    And I just can't go there right now.
    I like the Parasound 850 , just wish it had a remote.
    I'm looking at the Adcom GFP-750
    They have demo's at audio advisor for $996.
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=DMADCGFP750
    But hopefully I could find it used for less.

    I also wanted to hear more suggestions from the Russman, as he was talking
    about some "giant killers", and I think I could extend my range to $500 or so.

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited August 2004
    I have a McCormack TLC-1 passive preamp that I'm ready to unload. It has passive and buffered outputs (for running longer interconnect). It has the optional external power supply which was an extra $150 or so when it was new. The stock pre retailed for around $1000 in it's day. It does not have a remote... This pre is as transparent as it gets.

    It's also upgradeable by the designer, Steve McCormack at www.smcaudio.com he is a real nice guy, I've emailed with him a few times.

    Review 1

    Review 2
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited August 2004
    The McCormack is a much better piece than the Parasound or the Adcom.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,997
    edited August 2004
    Ditto Doro
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited September 2004
    The McCormack is a much better piece than the Parasound or the Adcom.
    Ditto Doro
    Thanks guys!

    The McCormack gear is so damn good I hate to get rid of it especially the amp. I also have the McCormack DNA 0.5 amp that is quite the giant killer and also upgradeable. This amp has been compared many times with the big boys and tube fans even like it. One of the best bang for the buck amps ever... The Arcam just sounds better (to me) with my speakers.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited September 2004
    PHP-1500 has a remote and is seen regularly on ebay.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited September 2004
    tryrrthg-

    Thanks for the offer, but I'm thinking I definitely want a remote.

    What I know for sure:
    A dedicated two channel solid state preamp.

    I'm still trying to figure out whether a passive or active would suit me better,
    which is why I thought about the ADCOM GFP 750, as it can do both.

    I'll keep reading and learning about Pre-amps.
    Never knew how much I didn't know

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited September 2004
    Here's mine w/remote and smooth "tubey" sound, yet SS:
    http://members.cox.net/stepheninaz/mfa3cr.jpg

    There were 2 on ebay last week, both in excellent condition, under $800.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited September 2004
    So Music fidelity is good stuff, must be if you own it. I'll read up on it.
    Is it Passive or Active ?

    -Luc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter