new pre amp

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 3863 times.

nac

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 20
new pre amp
« on: 28 Jun 2018, 01:28 am »
hi all,looking for opinions on new pre amp for my nuprime sta9 mono,s,currently using cyrus one as pre amp(latest model) cheers

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #1 on: 28 Jun 2018, 01:32 am »
I could suggest order a tube amp with the right impedance matching:
https://simplepleasuretubeamps.wordpress.com/

Meicheng

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 525
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #2 on: 28 Jun 2018, 02:12 am »
I have a Nuprime Dac 10 which has 2 analog inputs along with a great DAC, lots of digital inputs and 2 sets - balanced and RCA outputs.  And of course volume control and a nice remote.  I think it is a very good sounding and very versatile. 

dB Cooper

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #3 on: 28 Jun 2018, 02:52 am »
I could suggest order a tube amp with the right impedance matching:
https://simplepleasuretubeamps.wordpress.com/

Since he put his post in 'All Solid State', I presume he isn't looking for a tube unit. Maybe I'm wrong though...

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #4 on: 28 Jun 2018, 03:04 am »
It make sense, although could be a good sound match a tube buffer or preamp with a Class D.

OzarkTom

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #5 on: 28 Jun 2018, 06:21 am »
I own the IFI Itube Ican. It has 2 tube modes and 1 SS mode. Plus a great switchable 3D circuit that is fun to use. You can also use headphones with this pre, very versatile and lots of great reviews on the net. SQ is excellent. I use the tube+ mode the most.

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #6 on: 28 Jun 2018, 02:55 pm »
What is your budget?

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #7 on: 28 Jun 2018, 03:29 pm »
I own the IFI Itube Ican. It has 2 tube modes and 1 SS mode. Plus a great switchable 3D circuit that is fun to use. You can also use headphones with this pre, very versatile and lots of great reviews on the net. SQ is excellent. I use the tube+ mode the most.
Interesting, how is the sound on the 3D feature?

nac

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 20
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #8 on: 29 Jun 2018, 03:32 am »
$1000 budget usd ish

JLM

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 10654
  • The elephant normally IS the room
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #9 on: 29 Jun 2018, 11:02 am »
Was on the tour for iFi micro iTube2 and was very unimpressed (me and an audiophile friend).  3D did little.  XBass was horribly exaggerated on my system that already had full bass.  Tube options were all very subtle (wanted tube palpability - image density, more fleshed out tone, not slow syrupy warmth).

Home auditioned Schiit Freya (balanced/single ended, passive, JFET buffer, 6SN7 boosted, fancy clicky volume control, $699 USD) with high-end NOS tubes (extra $240).  Made 10% of my ALAC ripped CD's sound better but 30% (older non-audiophile recordings of music I like) sound worse.  Could hear no difference between passive the buffer options (evidently my system didn't need buffering).  Tube boosting option made it sound much louder, so hard to compare.  Blew one of those expensive tubes within the trial period.  I've never wanted a system that only sounds good on a few recordings, so I sent it all back.  YMMV

Yun66

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 23
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #10 on: 29 Jun 2018, 12:38 pm »
Emotiva XSP-1 gen 2 may meet Nac's need. New is $1200 from Emotiva. You can find mint used for less than $800. It's a full-function balanced analogue preamp with phono, HT bypass, bass management, processor loop, and tone control.

There are several pro reviews.

https://www.audiophilenirvana.com/audiophile-equipment-reviews/emotiva-xsp-1-gen-2-review/
https://referencehometheater.com/review/emotiva-xsp-1-review/
https://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/emotiva-xsp-1-preamp-video
https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/preamplifier/emotiva-xsp-1-balanced-stereo-preamplifier/

Cheers

« Last Edit: 1 Jul 2018, 12:25 pm by Yun66 »

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #11 on: 29 Jun 2018, 03:07 pm »
Consider this AVA HiFi preamp-

https://avahifi.com/collections/preamplifiers/products/vision-slr-preamplifier

I own a few pieces of AVA gear and they sound great.  They have a 30 day money back guaranty.   Frank Van Alstine's gear performs way above it's price point because he sells  direct. 

Also consider used gear, check out Audiogon.com

avahifi

  • Industry Contributor
  • Posts: 4682
    • http://www.avahifi.com
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #12 on: 29 Jun 2018, 07:35 pm »
Our solid state preamp is also available in a simple no frills chassis at $899.  Same circuits and sound as the one mentioned above, just no bells and whistles.

https://avahifi.com/collections/preamplifiers/products/vision-rb-preamplifier

Frank

RDavidson

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2863
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #13 on: 30 Jun 2018, 02:42 am »
Get a used Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE. Very hard to go wrong performance wise and very versatile and reliable.

Wind Chaser

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #14 on: 30 Jun 2018, 04:21 am »
I have a Nuprime Dac 10 which has 2 analog inputs along with a great DAC, lots of digital inputs and 2 sets - balanced and RCA outputs.  And of course volume control and a nice remote. I think it is a very good sounding and very versatile.

+1

I know some people will roll their eyes, and just to be clear, so would I if I heard someone say what I’m about to say just a few months ago. Replace the stock fuse in the DAC-10 with a HiFi Tuning Supreme fuse ... you won’t believe the difference! This seemingly little tweak makes a very profound difference with respect to the DAC-10 in terms of sound quality that-is-anything-but-subtle.

There, I said it and I stand by it! Again, a few months ago I would have laughed and dismissed such a claim as delusional and you might understandably be inclined to do so as well; but the best advice I can give is just listen - without prejudice.

Nac,

Having said all that, yeah, the DAC-10 is a superb preamp and DAC all rolled into one with plenty of inputs, function and form that can easily compete with far more expensive preamps (sans phono). Odds are it will mate (and look) much nicer with your Nuprime amps then all the other recommendations. If you cannot find a used one in line with your budget, then I’d take a good look at the Nuprime DAC-9. Still strongly recommend the HiFi Tuning Supreme fuse.




pconley2

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #15 on: 30 Jun 2018, 06:40 pm »
How about a Parasound Halo P5 preamp.  They retail for $1095, but Audio Advisor has one on clearance for $964.  I really like the John Curl designed Halo line of products, I have a full Parasound system (Including a lot that I bought from Audio Advisor) and I think they punch way above their weight.

Enjoy, Phil

http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=334


I.Greyhound Fan

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #16 on: 30 Jun 2018, 10:56 pm »
How about a Parasound Halo P5 preamp.  They retail for $1095, but Audio Advisor has one on clearance for $964.  I really like the John Curl designed Halo line of products, I have a full Parasound system (Including a lot that I bought from Audio Advisor) and I think they punch way above their weight.

Enjoy, Phil

http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=334


I have heard a Parasound P7 many times and own an A21 amp for a second system.  That AVA preamp will blow the P5 and P7 out of the water.  Not saying the P5 and P7 are bad, but the AVA Vision preamp is that good.  The AVA will have a more detailed and refined sound.

Agree with the W4S preamp.

OzarkTom

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #17 on: 1 Jul 2018, 03:33 am »
Interesting, how is the sound on the 3D feature?

I like the feature. Bad imaging recordings sounds much bigger. 3d circuit can be switched in or out. Xbass can be switched in or out also. I like the Xbass feature when I play my system at very low levels.

The 3d feature is a big plus watching movies. I don't need a surround system playing movies with the 3D feature. There are some owners out there using IFI's 3D feature in 200-300K systems.

Every system is different and every ears are different, that is why buying a piece with 30-60 day money back guarantee is very nice. Head-fi has a lot of great reviews on the Ican's headphone features.

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: new pre amp
« Reply #18 on: 1 Jul 2018, 03:53 am »
I like the feature. Bad imaging recordings sounds much bigger. 3d circuit can be switched in or out. Xbass can be switched in or out also. I like the Xbass feature when I play my system at very low levels.

The 3d feature is a big plus watching movies. I don't need a surround system playing movies with the 3D feature. There are some owners out there using IFI's 3D feature in 200-300K systems.

Every system is different and every ears are different, that is why buying a piece with 30-60 day money back guarantee is very nice. Head-fi has a lot of great reviews on the Ican's headphone features.
Thanks for inform Tom.
I really was unaware this little box was so useful,
seems perfect to enhance less great headphones.

OzarkTom

Re: new pre amp
« Reply #19 on: 2 Jul 2018, 05:03 am »
Thanks for inform Tom.
I really was unaware this little box was so useful,
seems perfect to enhance less great headphones.

There are a lot of very critical reviews of the IFI Ipro Ican here.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-pro-ican.21555/reviews

It is superior to the Itube2.