[centaurus3200]

hi all,

i'm currently using a Yamaha C-70 preamp. actually sounds pretty good and i dig the MC phono stage. i actually like it better than my previous preamps - Precision Fidelity C4, Conrad Johnson PV2A, MFA Magus C and some others. however, i'm thinking it's time to move on. i got the C-70 for free so it's hard to complain, but i do wonder what i'm missing in analog resolution.

don't want to blow a ton of money, so thinking conservativley between the 1b, .5b or B&K or ??? basically any decent solid-state preamp with an MC phono stage for under $300.


current system for reference:
McIntosh MC60 tube monoblocks
Yamaha C-70 preamp
Theta DSPro GEN III DAC
Theta Data III transport
Yamaha NS-1000M speakers
REL Q100 sub
Adcom ACE-515 conditioner
Technics SL-1600MK2 turntable with cardas rewire
Spectral MCR Signature with van den hul retip

thanks,
Robby

[werd]

hi all,

i'm currently using a Yamaha C-70 preamp. actually sounds pretty good and i dig the MC phono stage. i actually like it better than my previous preamps - Precision Fidelity C4, Conrad Johnson PV2A, MFA Magus C and some others. however, i'm thinking it's time to move on. i got the C-70 for free so it's hard to complain, but i do wonder what i'm missing in analog resolution.

don't want to blow a ton of money, so thinking conservativley between the 1b, .5b or B&K or ??? basically any decent solid-state preamp with an MC phono stage for under $300.


current system for reference:
McIntosh MC60 tube monoblocks
Yamaha C-70 preamp
Theta DSPro GEN III DAC
Theta Data III transport
Yamaha NS-1000M speakers
REL Q100 sub
Adcom ACE-515 conditioner
Technics SL-1600MK2 turntable with cardas rewire
Spectral MCR Signature with van den hul retip

thanks,
Robby

Look for a Carver C-2. I have one and its my back up pre. Excellent phono stage and they are very cheap on Agon. Full solid state.

[centaurus3200]

thanks for the tip on the carver. quick question as far as the 1b and .5b. i thought they all had MM and MC inputs. but i've seen a few of both models for sale where the owners say their unit only has moving magnet but no moving coil stage. is this correct?

thanks,
Robby

[James Tanner]

thanks for the tip on the carver. quick question as far as the 1b and .5b. i thought they all had MM and MC inputs. but i've seen a few of both models for sale where the owners say their unit only has moving magnet but no moving coil stage. is this correct?

thanks,
Robby

Hi Robby,

Correct - the 1B came with or without MM or MC and the .5B was only with or without MM.

james

[centaurus3200]

interesting James. so to confirm - you could either get the 1b with both MM and MC or two phono outputs of MM OR MC. the .5b did not have MC? i thought it did.

Robby

thanks for the tip on the carver. quick question as far as the 1b and .5b. i thought they all had MM and MC inputs. but i've seen a few of both models for sale where the owners say their unit only has moving magnet but no moving coil stage. is this correct?

thanks,
Robby

Hi Robbie,

Correct - the 1B came with or without MM or MC and the .5B was only with or without MM.

james

[James Tanner]

interesting James. so to confirm - you could either get the 1b with both MM and MC or two phono outputs of MM OR MC. the .5b did not have MC? i thought it did.

Robby

thanks for the tip on the carver. quick question as far as the 1b and .5b. i thought they all had MM and MC inputs. but i've seen a few of both models for sale where the owners say their unit only has moving magnet but no moving coil stage. is this correct?

thanks,
Robby

Hi Robbie,

Correct - the 1B came with or without MM or MC and the .5B was only with or without MM.

james

Correct the .5B does not have a big enough chassis to allow for a MC stage.

james