[youra6]

Hey guys!,

Long time lurker!

Wondering what are some decent options in the 200-250ish range for a decent stereo/multichannel preamp? I'm looking at something used, and even some Vintage stuff would be okay.

Thanks!

[doug s.]

i like tubes, but i am not sure what decent tube preamp you can find at this price range.  so, i will suggest the audio alchemy dlc - a really nice sounding preamp, w/remote control and 4 inputs.

not mine, but this is what they look like:


doug s.

[JerryM]

Hey guys!,

Long time lurker!

Wondering what are some decent options in the 200-250ish range for a decent stereo/multichannel preamp? I'm looking at something used, and even some Vintage stuff would be okay.

Thanks!

How many inputs? Passive or amplified a bit?

[genjamon]

You're in luck!  I've had this listed in the trading post for a while, and it's still available:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=107878.0

I can provide more info and/or pics if you're interested.

[doug s.]

How many inputs? Passive or amplified a bit?

fwiw, the a/a dlc is passive, then goes to active at higher gain...

doug s.

[passingthrough]

Good vintage suggestion on the Audio Alchemy, especially if you need remote control.  I've got the AA Digital Line Controller and Power Station 3 just like the set posted above (except my power supply LED still works).  Really hard to find a good stereo preamp with remote at a better price.  It has 4 inputs and remembers the volume for each channel per input, and is programmable so you can set the # of inputs you want to cycle through, the volume display scheme, etc.

Mine is off duty, replaced by a Matrix Mini-i with upgraded opamps as I wanted to go balanced with DAC and preamp in one unit, but I can't bring myself to part with the AA because it's such a versatile and solid unit.

I'd say first decide what you want and then you'll get suggestions that are more likely to be appropriate for you.  Do you need a multi-channel preamp or a stereo preamp?  Do you need remote volume?  How many inputs?  Phone stage? Etc...

[JLM]

Passive stepped attenuators by Scott Endler sell for less than that new.  For best results connect at power amp inputs.  No remote, no switching, purist/hairshirt approach.

Channel Island Audio sells a passive preamp (no remote) with two inputs for $300, but impedance of downstream interconnects must be considered for best results.

[JerryM]

Passive stepped attenuators by Scott Endler sell for less than that new.  For best results connect at power amp inputs.  No remote, no switching, purist/hairshirt approach.

Channel Island Audio sells a passive preamp (no remote) with two inputs for $300, but impedance of downstream interconnects must be considered for best results.

Tubes or SS?

[brooklyn]

Year's ago I owned a Conrad Johnson pv2ar tube preamp. If you like your system to be on the
warm or tubey side you might want to give it (or one from that time period) a try, and its vintage.
You could team that up with a multi channel amp, just an option.

[Ericus Rex]

You could probably find a Counterpoint SA-7.1 for under $300.  That's a decent sounding tube pre.  Don't know exactly what you need when you say "stereo/multichannel" though.  Do you need HT processing?

[youra6]

Not sure if passive is for me. I don't know if the outward impedance is low enough. I will using it to connect to a UPA-2 Emotiva amp.

Sorry for the confusion. I'm mainly looking for a stereo pre. If the budget allows it, I can do one that processes 5 or 7 channels. But I rather have a solid stereo preamp than an so-so 7.1 pre.

I'll check out some of the options you guys gave me. Thanks!

[youra6]

Sorry for the Dp,  couldn't find the "Edit" button.

I had a few offers: I have some Onix speakers, but not heard of these preamps.

Onix A-55 for ~350
Onix A120 ~275

They both are the very limit of my budget, and Google really didn't provide too much info on the A-55

Any thoughts?

[WC]

Used Adcoms are available in the price range.

[usp1]

I could be convinced to part with a Cary/AES AE3 tubed preamp. This is an excellent budget tube preamp....but no remote.

[youra6]

Is the AE3/AES MKII a DIY kit from Cary?

[usp1]

It was available as a kit as well as factory built I believe. The one I have, I was told, was factory built. The insides look very well done. I am not the first owner maybe not even the second. It uses ^sn7 tubes which make for a terrific midrange.

[Barry_NJ]

Decent things have been written here about the HLLY pre amp...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400088510114?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

And I love my AA DLC, but they tend to go for more than $250.

[youra6]

Decent things have been written here about the HLLY pre amp...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400088510114?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

And I love my AA DLC, but they tend to go for more than $250.

Thanks I'll check it out.

[jarcher]

I'd consider Acurus & B&K stuff, all good made in the USA stuff. 

In Acurus an L10 or R11. Both line stages, the first w/ out remote is probably less than $150, the second with remote probably more like $250+, so probably at the top of your budget. Don't see any out there at moment, but they do pop up from time to time.

As for B&K, the old Pro-5 is musical & has a phono stage and probably not more than $100 - $125 : I still have one of these & I don't get rid of it because it comes in handy some times & worth to little to get rid of it.

See: http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-B-K-Pro-5-Pre-amp-/271047988980?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item3f1bb816f4

I doubt anyone is going to bid, so it will probably go for $75.

Also thinking laterally as well: many higher end processors go for next to nothing.  Even Anthem's AVM 20's are sometimes just barely hitting $300 on Ebay. 

In B&K, e.g., see Reference 20's & 30's:

Only $59 BUY IT NOW - 5 channel preamp out.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-REFERENCE-20-DD-DTS-PREAMPLIFIER-PROCESSOR-/380466340218?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item58958fa17a

Getting more expensive at $125 BUY IT NOW - 7 channel preamp out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-Reference-30-Processor-DD-DTS-7-1-/360485470020?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item53ee9bbf44

Either will do the basic Dolby Digital / DTS though obviously not DD True HD + DTS-HD.

If they sound as decent as the Pro 5 I have, these are an incredible deal.  If I didn't have so much stuff I'd buy one for laughs.

[persisting1]

If you'll consider passive, I've read good things about Luminous Audio.
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-luminous-audio-axiom-or-axiom-sig-awesome-passive-pre-amp-2012-08-31-preamplifiers-23229