AudioCircle

The Marketplace => Trading Post => For Sale: Amplification => Topic started by: 2bigears on 8 Nov 2017, 07:54 pm

Title: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: 2bigears on 8 Nov 2017, 07:54 pm
 :D  ok,, jello all. gonna jump on this dig amp thing .. buy the ICE1200 ,,,,, need a preamp that fits it well.
          budget ,, zero to 5 grand.  i do know pre-amps are very important as i did have a good one in the past.   :D
        thanks for any help as a mistake is not what i would like to do ,,,,, :D
     Yes,, remote wanted please.....
       i think tubes help to warm SS amps ,, i think but could be wrong. 
         active is ?? passive is ??  the better one ,, ha ..  :D
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: Armaegis on 8 Nov 2017, 08:51 pm
Can you narrow down the field a little bit?
active vs passive
tubes vs solid state
remote or not
etc
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: 2oldcranks on 8 Nov 2017, 09:12 pm
TORTUGA :thumb:
Im in on the ICE DIY and seems the Tortuga would be FanFrekin tastic.
One just put in the market,thinking HARD about that one
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: jparkhur on 8 Nov 2017, 10:59 pm
There is a loaded tortuga ldr w/ external ps for sale in the amp area.  It’s less than what it cost to build. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=153640.0
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: gab on 8 Nov 2017, 11:01 pm
here is a highly rated one from the factory authorized "B stock" vendor you might consider:

http://www.safeandsoundhq.com/Parasound-Halo-JC2BP-2-Channel-Preamplifier-B-STOCK-FULL-WARRANTY
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: morganc on 9 Nov 2017, 07:05 am
I would also go with a tube pre-amp.  Several top shelf choices in your budget on audiogon now.
The Allnic is amazing.   Top shelf build, material, design and sound and keeps resale value well. 
The Modwright LS100 is another solid choice as is the Purity Audio .......can't go wrong with any of those three as they are all top quality companies and great products.....which would match better with the Ice amp?  That I don't know.....
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: 2bigears on 9 Nov 2017, 01:02 pm
 :D never heard of Allnic. Looks do kill.  Thanks for the heads up. 
       Before the world ends I will get this done right ,,,ha.  :D
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: sunnydaze on 9 Nov 2017, 02:39 pm
Allnic L-1500 on USAM:

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649316346-allnic-l1500/

I owned this model.   VG sounding preamp, flexible, well-built, and a joy to use.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: Big Red Machine on 9 Nov 2017, 04:21 pm
Budget?

if my new used preamp arriving today-ish works out my Bent Micro-Tap set-up will be for sale.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: roscoeiii on 9 Nov 2017, 11:36 pm
Until I went to a DEQX that can function as a pre-amp, the Musical Fidelity kW was the longest lived  pre-amp in my set-up. A real overbuilt beast. Dynamics, details. And it is a hybrid, so you get a bit of tubes too.

Never got around to bumping the ad or listing on Audiogon. And I'd love for it to go to an ACer. Kick-ass piece of gear that paired great with every amp I tried it with (2A3 flea watt, burly high power solid state (Aragon), Butler hybrid amp, ncore, Rogue Stereo 90 tube amp, a lot of First Watt amps (F1, F1J, F2, F3, F4, F5), and I'm probably forgetting some. Definitely plays well with others.

Has a remote.

Never felt like anything was lacking with this one.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=143477.msg1532512#msg1532512
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: 2bigears on 10 Nov 2017, 02:11 am
 :D I had the KW750 .   It was kick ass.  Don't know the pre ?   :D ....
     But if it's as good as the amp ?  Kinda apples to oranges .  A good pre is sooooo important.  :D
         I sold the 750 for 1/3 new cost.   Was the best I could get. 
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: roscoeiii on 10 Nov 2017, 03:38 am
From the Stereophile review I think Fremer preferred it to the amp. And especially considering the price. Think I'm pricing it around 1/3 list. Which is ridiculous for what you get. 
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: Bostown on 12 Nov 2017, 04:07 pm
I have a KRELL KRC preamp + KRELL KPE phono stage is installed internally as well. The Outboard power supply for the PRE is also included as is the remote.  Ships in it's original Factory box .
I haven't created a listing for it here yet but plan on it ( or possibly Agon)   offer is open to the OP or anyone with $2475 ,  all inclusive of shipping within the CONUS.  Nothing extra for paypal transaction ( although a money order or check is preferred if possible but if we haven't done business before it makes sense to go through paypal for buyer/seller protection).
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: 2bigears on 12 Nov 2017, 11:22 pm
 :) OK ,  really need a pre now. Just jumped the band wagon on the ICE amp.  Need a pre ....... :D.
          Thinking a good tube pre ,, but doesn't have to be.  Still think s tube pre softens things a bit.
        :D  As usual,, I could be wrong ,   Ha.   :D
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: ClefChef on 13 Nov 2017, 02:30 pm
I built numerous tube Aikido and JC-2 clones, both are excellent. Should be a good fit for digital amplifier (I use them myself).
PM if interested.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: /mp on 13 Nov 2017, 04:10 pm
    ...gonna jump on this dig amp thing....buy the ICE1200....need a preamp that fits it well.
          Budget, zero to 5 grand.

$0-$5K is a big spread. Can you narrow that down a little?

Can you narrow down the field a little bit?
active vs passive
tubes vs solid state
remote or not
etc

Also full preamp (w/phono stage) vs line stage only vs line stage w/DAC
Also, also new vs (slightly) used vs vintage (older used). Used costs less than new, all other things being equal. Vintage will cost even less up front but anticipate budgeting service, re-tubing, etc costs.
In the case of tubes, included tubes (if any) vs tube rolling.

          Yes, remote wanted please.....

         Most vintage (older used) preamps don't have wireless remotes. Not a hard rule.

          I think tubes help to warm SS amps

   Another way of saying this is SS tend to have more/better defined bass & treble. Tube tend to emphasize midrange.  Is this a direction you prefer going?

          Active is ?? passive is ??  the better one

   Active vs passive offer their own blend of relative advantages & disadvantages much like tube vs. SS.   

Anything else you can add to help us help you?
Friendly reminder: there is no best, only better match with your taste & system.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: bunky on 15 Nov 2017, 10:11 pm
You could get a brand new tube rectified DeHavilland Ultraverve 3 remote version. the preamp is hand built in Vancouver Washington and the components are wired point to point by Kara Chaffee for $2995.00. they are great sounding preamplifiers.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: JackD on 15 Nov 2017, 11:46 pm
Backert Labs Rhumba 1.2
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: alke1234 on 16 Nov 2017, 10:47 pm
You could get a brand new tube rectified DeHavilland Ultraverve 3 remote version. the preamp is hand built in Vancouver Washington and the components are wired point to point by Kara Chaffee for $2995.00. they are great sounding preamplifiers.


I was just visiting and thought I'd chime in, DeHavilland is a fine pre, also if you can find a AudioPrism Mantissa. These are two that have served me well in front of a solid state amp. Use them both, a lot have came and went.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: tipatina on 17 Nov 2017, 01:46 am
I can also vouch for the Ultraverve which is my current line stage. Also any
of the Van Alstine tube preamps, have had an older one in the past-great sound and reliable
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: bellavita on 17 Nov 2017, 01:10 pm
Here is one at USAM...Cheers

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649384058-dehavilland-uv3-wremote-700-worth-of-extra-tubes-included/
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: 2bigears on 17 Nov 2017, 05:24 pm
 :D thanks everyone.  All ideas welcome.  I did have a VAC Ren Sig MK1 .  I sold it.  Too dam many parts to my stereo,,,,ha.  Are these preamps close to the great sound the vac gave out ?  The new stuff has better parts and design I'm thinking ?   :D
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: JakeJ on 18 Nov 2017, 04:48 am
Why not get another VAC?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vac-pre-amp-renaissance-mk-ii-with-phonostage-2017-11-11-preamplifiers-64014-blue-springs-mo (https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-vac-pre-amp-renaissance-mk-ii-with-phonostage-2017-11-11-preamplifiers-64014-blue-springs-mo)

Another option might be a nice used Audible Illusions M3A.
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: JackD on 18 Nov 2017, 05:26 am
You have to be careful going down the AI path as it is hard on tubes that are getting more expensive and hard to find everyday plus with it's high gain can be an amp matching challenge. There are plenty of top notch tube preamps that don't present those challenges.  Another option that I have found to work great with Class D amps is the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE.  They are currently on Black Friday sale and you can buy the Stage 2 upgrade model for well under the top of your budget. 
Title: Re: WTB a good pre-amp
Post by: johnnybravo on 22 Nov 2017, 05:27 am
+1 on the deHavilland.
Also consider Don Sachs SP14

I am thinking about thinning the herd and putting up a couple of early model Joule LA-100s and an Eastern Electric that have just been sitting.