[Rclark]

Now that's intriguing, I wonder why so inexpensive? I wonder how it compares to the Dodd Buffer?


Oh, and fyi yes the Emotiva stuff is fully balanced, only the ERC-1 wasn't truly.

[ltr317]

I think you would get better sound with this less expensive tube preamp.

http://www.aricaudiosystems.com/product.sc?productId=16&categoryId=2

I bought one of Aric audio's low powered amps a few years back for chump change.  It sounded good, especially for the money.  He has branched out with making more audio gear the past couple of years.   

[Rclark]

That might be a neat place to start. Guess I have some reading to do.


PS, I love your avatar

[Rclark]

My friend just picked up a Marantz 140 power amp and a 3200 preamp, that are 36 years old and are in perfect condition, so If you are patient (and picky) you can score some nice vintage stuff that sounds every bit as good as the new stuff for a lot less money. He got the pair in walnut cabinets and with no visual marks on the faceplates, both for $250. Craigs list is the place to watch.

I also have had a Marantz 140 serviced by Mike Zuccaro, who is also southern California's approved McIntosh service guy and he is top shelf, if you want to persue a used Mc.

The other thing I'd like to chime in on is people replacing "old" capacitors. Unless they are 50% out of tolerance, it just isn't needed to be done, and many that do, replace it with the wrong voltage or type capacitor and end up with worse than when they started.

I am a Marantz collector and none have ever had (or needed) a cap replacement. I still do not recommend used turntables for newbies.....

Wayner 

 See this post makes me want to have all modern gear and then cap it with a vintage Mcintosh preamp. You know what? I might just go ahead and after I get my new speakers built in late Nov try a few different preamps and just sell the one I don't like. But I'd love to try a vintage model. And a tube model as well.

 Wayner, I know you're a Marantz guy, but you seem to know a thing or two,  if you were going to buy vintage Mcintosh,  which model would you buy and why?

[ltr317]

That might be a neat place to start. Guess I have some reading to do.


PS, I love your avatar

You talking to me?

[bigjppop]

I am doing things a little different than most, I just ordered the Emotiva usp-1 to try with my SET amp. I have been using a Bottlehead Quickie preamp and while I like it very much, I really need some features that it does not have. I really want a remote and a need better options to integrate my subwoofer.

I know most run a tubes pre with a SS amp, we'll see how the other way around treats me.

[Rclark]

You talking to me?

Yup.

[ltr317]

Yup.

It's a photo of Lissie.  I've seen her twice in concert the past year.  Photos don't do her justice.  I think she is stunningly beautiful in person. 

[Rustycat]

I would give my highest recommendations for the Threshold fet 10e.  I've never heard anything better at any price.  You can find them in the usual places on the web for around $1k w/o the phono section. 
Not many pieces of Stereophile Class A gear can be had as cheaply as the Fet 10.
Here's a review
http://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/987fet10

[stefanovitch]

I agree. The FET 10e is one of the best solid state amps I did ever come across.

The Audio Research SP-15 in my opinion sounds different, but not better and is considerable more expensive.

The airy and open sound of a Fet 10e is hard to beat nowadays.
I have been looking for a FET 10e for more than 10 years, but until now I couldn't find a seller.

As far as I recall Threshold said that very view pieces have ever been made. I believe in Europe are less than 10 pieces of a FET 10e around

[thunderbrick]

If you are still looking for a used pre, try Rogue Audio.  I scored a 66 Magnum with remote on AG for $650 and am very happy with it.  It replaced a more versatile SS Musical Fidelity (also a good option for $700+/-), and just seems a little more right. 

[medium jim]

I'm a bit prejudiced as I own an old McIntosh Pre and it just might be the last preamp I ever buy...

Jim