[clipped]

I ordered an AVASTAR Pre, no remote, no phono, attempting to keep the cost low.
I will be selling an Ultra Pre in the small chassis at a very reasonable price. I am the second owner of this unit, it has been problem free and very lightly used.
My listening time has been reduced / replaced by my parenting time.
The new pre is a gift to myself, hopefully I will get time to listen more 

[jtwrace]

The new pre is a gift to myself, hopefully I will get time to listen more 

The good news is that the child (Congrats!) will grow up.  Even better is that you'll be albe to listen with your child and share the passion.  Those are some of my greatest childhood memories with dad. 

[Charles Calkins]

I ordered an AVASTAR Pre, no remote, no phono, attempting to keep the cost low.

  No remote is okay but for another $200.00 you can get the phono section. I highly recommended you do so. Frank's phono section is a "KILLER". None much better. Especially for $200.00

                                             Cheers
                                           Charlie

[clipped]

Thanx Charlie, but I don't even have any records 

[rcag_ils]

The good news is that the child (Congrats!) will grow up.  Even better is that you'll be albe to listen with your child and share the passion.  Those are some of my greatest childhood memories with dad. 

That's what I thought when we had our child, unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way, can't always predict life.

[dlparker]

That's what I thought when we had our child, unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way, can't always predict life.

rcag_ils -

I hope your "..that's what I thought.." doesn't refer to what I think it does, but just in case - I'm sorry.  My hat's off to you for continuing on.  Most folks are blissfully clueless about how hard it is, even years later. 

Wishing for a happy holiday season for you and yours.

Dave Parker

[Bigload]

I am betting you will be delighted.  I sure was with mine.  Might consider the HT bypass option if you use your same amp and speakers for your HT system.  (pretty inexpensive option).   

[clipped]

I don't have surround sound/HT, 2 speaker set up only.
 Can you explain this option a bit. I have an Ultra amp and I can't be sure I have enough room and enough $ to do a HT the right way.
Frank if you see this perhaps you could give me a brief description?
Thanx all.

[AVnerdguy]

I ordered an AVASTAR Pre, no remote, no phono, attempting to keep the cost low.
I will be selling an Ultra Pre in the small chassis at a very reasonable price. I am the second owner of this unit, it has been problem free and very lightly used.
My listening time has been reduced / replaced by my parenting time.
The new pre is a gift to myself, hopefully I will get time to listen more 

Congratulations! You'll love it. I've had mine for about 6 months. Make time to listen - I have since I bought it. I put aside an hour or 2 every night because it's that good. Cheers!

[Bigload]

I don't have surround sound/HT, 2 speaker set up only.
 Can you explain this option a bit. I have an Ultra amp and I can't be sure I have enough room and enough $ to do a HT the right way.
Frank if you see this perhaps you could give me a brief description?
Thanx all.

I am sure Frank could do better than I, but here is how I would explain...
The HT bypass option allows the preamp to pass the signal from your multi-channel AVR or processor directly through the preamp to your amp and front speakers without impacting the signal.  That way, when you watch a movie or TV show, you flip the HT bypass switch on your preamp, and your receiver then controls everything (as it simply passes through the preamp) and keeps all of your surround speakers playing at the correct levels, all in conjunction with one another as calibrated in your AVR/precessor.  Then, when you want to listen to 2 channel stereo, you flip the HT bypass switch off, and the preamp once again controls the signal (volume, balance, etc) going to your front speakers.  If you don't contemplate ever using your front speakers as part of a HT system or a multichannel music system, it would be of no use to you.  However, if you do contemplate it in the future, it allows you to continue using your excellent preamp when your preference is for 2 channel stereo.