What pre-amp are you using with 1801b?

rmihai0 · « **on:** 6 Apr 2005, 02:49 pm »

I an acceptable budget - max $1030 USD.

I was thinking to get an Acurus RL-11 or a Coda Window III.

What are you using?

Any other ideas?

David Ellis · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Apr 2005, 03:45 pm »

I use a passive Creek OBH-12, but this may be problematic if your CD play has very little ooomph or your amp has a low input impedance. With the AKSA 55 or Bryston 3B-ST or VanAlstine 550EXR or Golden Tube SE40SE there are no problems using a passive IME. These amps all have an input impedance 50k ohms or higher.

Dave

Al Garay · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Apr 2005, 09:42 pm »

I would recommend a BentAudio transformer based passive but they're hard to find until John Chapman starts selling them again.

This transformer based passive is available and has received good feedback today in the Madisound.com forum. It does cost a bit more.
http://www.soniceuphoria.com/

Here is a tubed base pre-amp within your budget that has received good reviews...
Eastern Electric MiniMax Tube Preamplifier $799
http://www.morningstaraudio.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=1

If you are going to try the Creek passive, buy it from AudioAdvisor where you can return it if it doesn't match well with your system. Since it is resistor based, you need to keep the IC runs short.

Since you are thinking AKSA amps, why not ask for anyone selling their AKSA GK1 preamp? Rocket (Rod)is selling a bunch of gear, might ask him.

David Ellis · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Apr 2005, 11:08 pm »

Who is "rocket rod" and where might I find his stuff for sale?

Also, one of my customers built the AKSA preamp and didn't find any significant improvement over his passive preamp.

I have not compared the fancy stepped attenuator passive units and cannot comment on this compared to my plain-jane Creek unit.

konut · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Apr 2005, 12:29 am »

The OBH12 gets my vote as well. Very happy with mine. The only caveat is the supplied remote only lasted less than a year, and the replacement the same. I recommend Harmony remotes for the Creek.

Al Garay · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Apr 2005, 01:08 am »

Rocket is from the land down under. Here is a post where he is selling his AKSA amp. I've also heard he was selling his preamp... but may have already sold it.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=18153