[Doublej]

Anything that could be considered the preamp equivalent of the $100 pioneer speakers? Even just not embarrassing will suffice.

[Phil A]

Not a regular deal like the Pioneer but when the Sherbourne merger with Emotiva was announced, they below out their premp, which at one point retailed for $899, then they went to a direct to consumer business model and it was $529 and then they blew them out for $179 including shipping

[Phil A]

I have no idea how stuff like this sounds but it qualifies as cheap - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-4051

[wushuliu]

This should do it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-PGA2311-Remote-Volume-Control-preamp-Pre-amplifier-w-MUTE-and-Memory-/130816757719?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item1e75494fd7

I have the PGA2310 version. A little quirky but sound is excellent.

[JohnR]

Nice find for C&C

[Doublej]

This should do it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-PGA2311-Remote-Volume-Control-preamp-Pre-amplifier-w-MUTE-and-Memory-/130816757719?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item1e75494fd7

I have the PGA2310 version. A little quirky but sound is excellent.

Interesting unit. Is it findable for $100 all in?

[wushuliu]

Interesting unit. Is it findable for $100 all in?

This version has no mute or bass/treble control:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-version-PGA2311-Stero-Remote-Volume-Controller-Preamp-with-case-/140865254355?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item20cc3933d3

That's as cheap as it gets.

[this_is_vv]

This version has no mute or bass/treble control:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-version-PGA2311-Stero-Remote-Volume-Controller-Preamp-with-case-/140865254355?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item20cc3933d3

That's as cheap as it gets.

hows teh quality as per your experience....

V

[wushuliu]

hows teh quality as per your experience....

V

The PGA2310 I have sounds excellent. Clean, clear. The quirks are that it buzzes when first turned on for a few seconds before the relays kick in and the remote works at a narrow angle. But hey $100. Granted I modified mine right away; someone analyzed the board at diyaudio some time ago and found it measured decent enough. The PGA2310 was considered a little better than the 2311 in terms of dynamics, but the 2311s on ebay are the only ones that have mute/treble/bass control option.

[Letitroll98]

This version has no mute or bass/treble control:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-version-PGA2311-Stero-Remote-Volume-Controller-Preamp-with-case-/140865254355?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item20cc3933d3

That's as cheap as it gets.

Depending on where you buy it from, it does have treble/bass control.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140865254355?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

[JohnR]

Depending on where you buy it from, it does have treble/bass control.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140865254355?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

Um, no, that one doesn't. "there is no MUTE and BAS and TRE functions of this board"

Anyway, they're cheap. Intriguing about the differences of the 2310 vs 2311. I saw an 8 channel one the other day which I might actually get.

[Letitroll98]

Um, no, that one doesn't. "there is no MUTE and BAS and TRE functions of this board"

Anyway, they're cheap. Intriguing about the differences of the 2310 vs 2311. I saw an 8 channel one the other day which I might actually get.

I guess I was fooled by the bass-treble-mute buttons on the remote.     I suppose these are non functioning buttons on a cheap, one fits all remote?

I have the PGA2310 version. A little quirky but sound is excellent.

Is this the PGA2310 version you have?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-version-PGA2310-Stero-Remote-Volume-Controller-Preamp-Assembled-by-weiliang-/141022491269?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item20d5987285

Might fit the under $100 requirement better?

[timind]

If used is ok I'd look at ebay for an older pre by Yamaha, Harman Kardon, Onkyo or something of that ilk. I bought a Yamaha CX-630 used a few years ago, it worked great. The problem with these used units is the remotes are sometimes missing. Of course, universal remotes are easy to find.

[Letitroll98]

There's also this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-CS3310-Remote-Pre-amplifier-Preamp-/120689518652?pt=US_Preamps_Channel_Strips&hash=item1c19a7e83c

[wushuliu]

Of course there's also this awesome piece of kit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-Elite-VSX-D912K-6-1-Channel-120-Watt-Receiver-/161139953578?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item2584b08faa

Whose merits as a preamp AND and amp have been discussed here at length.

[timind]

Of course there's also this awesome piece of kit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-Elite-VSX-D912K-6-1-Channel-120-Watt-Receiver-/161139953578?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item2584b08faa

Whose merits as a preamp AND and amp have been discussed here at length.

If size is not an issue this looks like a winner.
I have no use for it but am tempted just to try it.

[notany]

I ran across this in a review at Affordable Audio.  I have no personal experience with it but it is more to my taste then the other suggestions so far.  At $299 it seems like a good choice although I believe remote adds $200.  Just thought I'd throw another piece of meat into the stew.
http://www.akustyk.com/
http://www.affordableaudio.org/

[wushuliu]

I ran across this in a review at Affordable Audio.  I have no personal experience with it but it is more to my taste then the other suggestions so far.  At $299 it seems like a good choice although I believe remote adds $200.  Just thought I'd throw another piece of meat into the stew.
http://www.akustyk.com/
http://www.affordableaudio.org/

Well that's 3x-5x the stated budget. Slippery slope. For that money all kinds of options open up like Dodd Preamp, LDR based preamps, etc.

[notany]

You're right.  It just looked so nice, inside and out.

[notany]

The Pioneer is a known commodity and adds a DAC, sub out with adjustable x-over, digital room correction and a radio.  Its just, um, it's a surround receiver.  I can't get past that.  Still, it's probably best.