Cheap Cheerful and versatile Pre Amps

RoadTripper · « **on:** 2 Jul 2016, 04:39 am »

This info is probably buried in the entire C&C circle but for the sake of centralization, can I get opinions of those who have cheap pre-amps. I say versatile because I also would like info on pre-amps that have multiple inputs. And multiple types of inputs. Like RCA, XLR and optical. Maybe this requirement automatically moves the candidates right out of the cheap dept. I don't know. Thanks in advance.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 11:21 am »

I just bought a NuPrime HPA-9 headphone amp/preamp that retails for $649. It's about the cheapest active preamp I know of and it pushes pretty hard against guidelines. RCA only with two inputs plus phono pre. There's a British passive whose name I can't remember that was just mentioned on these pages. But for the most part you'd have to go used for full featured yet still C&C preamps.

ohenry · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 11:34 am »

Go to Horn Shoppe and consider a Naked Truth. It's unique and very good. Ed can provide input options as well. Make the call and allow ample time. The Naked Truth is less expensive that the Truth, but has similar qualities.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html#March

srb · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 12:41 pm »

Quote from: ohenry on 2 Jul 2016, 11:34 am

Go to Horn Shoppe and consider a Naked Truth.

$975. Definitely not C&C. Or versatile.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 12:57 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 2 Jul 2016, 11:21 am

There's a British passive whose name I can't remember that was just mentioned on these pages.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=143895.0

Tomy2Tone · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 01:21 pm »

Poseidonsvoice just posted this in another circle but it's got some options...

https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp

ohenry · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 01:49 pm »

Quote from: srb on 2 Jul 2016, 12:41 pm

$975. Definitely not C&C. Or versatile.

That is the price for the Truth, not the Naked Truth. Definitely read my post again.

OzarkTom · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 01:56 pm »

For active C&C pre, I would buy a used Advent 300 receiver with lots of features including a tuner and tone contols.

Pre Amp In
Pre Amp Out
Tape In
Tape Out
Aux
Phono
R & L Out A
R & L Out B
Antenna
120 switched Line Out
+18 VDC Jack

Selling for $85-125 in working order on Ebay, $50 in non working order. I would even buy the non-w hopinng the amp section has the bugs.

This sounds soft pre, DIY parts would make for more detail. Thomlinson Holman designed it, Apt-Holman fame, Lucas THX fame.

srb · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 01:59 pm »

Quote from: ohenry on 2 Jul 2016, 01:49 pm

That is the price for the Truth, not the Naked Truth. Definitely read my post again.

I did. Your link takes me to a blog page with 25,000 words. A word search cannot find "Naked Truth". You'll need to be more specific and direct me to where the description, price and features of the Naked Truth are listed.

The Horn Shoppe website also has no reference to Naked Truth.

Steve

ohenry · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 02:06 pm »

Just go to the Horn Shoppe website and get the number to call Ed. But that would take you out of the comfort zone where you can be snarky behind the keys.

There's a reason I abandoned AC long ago, and here we are again.

srb · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 02:27 pm »

I'm not going to call someone about a component that I have absolutely no idea about the price or features. That makes no sense. I don't think that's being "snarky". You seem to know something about it, why wouldn't you just share some details that you do know?

Quote from: ohenry on 2 Jul 2016, 02:06 pm

There's a reason I abandoned AC long ago, and here we are again.

Your passive-aggressiveness may have had something to do with it, but I'm sure you will do what's right for you.

srb · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 03:39 pm »

C&C preamps are certainly a tougher nut to crack. We have a lot of C&C amplifiers, C&C speakers, C&C powered/active speakers, but the C&C preamps aren't plentiful.

While used components can be a solution for some, it's not for everybody due to unavailability, maybe not working properly and other factors that keep them for being a readily repeatable solution for everyone.

We've all seen a ton of budget integrated amplifiers and receivers that have all the I/O, functions and even remote control, but take away the built in amplifiers - and they don't exist. I guess most of the manufacturers feel that if you're going with a separate preamp you're automatically interested in only higher end audiophile offerings.

It's like in the world of AV receivers, you can get analog and digital inputs / outputs and remote control for $500 and less, but go to the AV preamp/processor product line and you start at $1500.

Where's a great C&C remote preamp for the guy with a pair of JBL LSR305 or similar?

Steve

ohenry · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 03:40 pm »

Quote from: srb on 2 Jul 2016, 02:27 pm

I'm not going to call someone about a component that I have absolutely no idea about the price or features. That makes no sense. I don't think that's being "snarky". You seem to know something about it, why wouldn't you just share some details that you do know?

Your passive-aggressiveness may have had something to do with it, but I'm sure you will do what's right for you.

You have nothing to contribute except criticism. Ba-bye.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 03:53 pm »

That's enough, stop it now.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 05:05 pm »

This Emotiva PT-100 preamp is new and qualifies as C&C and has everything that you are looking for except XLR.

https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/pt-100

I am not sure if this qualifies as cheap and Cheerful but this Cambridge Audio Azur 651A integrated amp has preamp out and most of the inputs that you want except phono and XLR. You can always add a C&C phono preamp.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/camb651abla/cambridge-audio-azur-651a-premium-integrated-amplifier-new/1.html

srb · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 Jul 2016, 05:58 pm »

Quote from: I.Greyhound Fan on 2 Jul 2016, 05:05 pm

This Emotiva PT-100 preamp is new and qualifies as C&C and has everything that you are looking for except XLR.

I see that also coming out in August is the TA-100 integrated, essentially the same as the PT-100 with the addition of a 50W/ch Class A/B amp for $400.

Both have the AD1955 DAC, which as implemented in the now discontinued XDA-1/2, was a decent sounding DAC in its price range.

Good C&C find!

Steve

RoadTripper · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Jul 2016, 02:23 pm »

Those Emotivas appear to be what I am looking for. Thanks for the lead!

fredgarvin · « **Reply #17 on:** 3 Jul 2016, 04:02 pm »

Quote from: ohenry on 2 Jul 2016, 11:34 am

Go to Horn Shoppe and consider a Naked Truth. It's unique and very good. Ed can provide input options as well. Make the call and allow ample time. The Naked Truth is less expensive that the Truth, but has similar qualities.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html#March

A friend has the Truth pre and swears by it. Ed makes great products. One click with a search engine found info on the Naked Truth-

Easy peasy.

http://thehornshoppeforum.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=6usuehsk9nrhekhuvf3b2mt5r7&board=5.0

JCS · « **Reply #18 on:** 3 Jul 2016, 05:47 pm »

Don't know if it's of any interest, but Outlaw Audio has a rather bare-bones AV pre/pro for $549:
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

annamarykahn · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Jul 2016, 02:56 am »

how about the Parasound Zpre2 Compact Stereo Preamplifier in silver for $249.99? http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAZPRE2