Need Preamp Recommendation - Solid State - 2 Channel

kfr01 · « **on:** 5 Jan 2006, 05:09 am »

Looking for a preamp recommendation.

New, used, or proven diy designs/kits
2-channel only
Remote an absolute necessity
Solid state only

bonus if I can find balanced ins/outs.

$500 target. $550 absolute limit.

For use with old Onkyo Integra M-504 amplifier for now, diycable UCD amplifier in the future.

Thanks for any help and recommendations!

kfr01 · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Jan 2006, 01:55 pm »

Anyone?

Levi · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Jan 2006, 02:44 pm »

Oops! Solid State only and remote.

If you go with tubes and no remote. You can try Eastern Electric tube preamp. It is right in your budget. Talk to Bill at Morning Star, he is a good and knowlegeable guy.

rosconey · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Jan 2006, 02:55 pm »

or call klaus at odyssey and ask about his pasive pre
or save a few hundred more and buy a used odyssey tempest

kfr01 · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 01:23 am »

After an afternoon trip to the dental office, I stopped off at the nearby a/v store. This store is into HT more than 2-channel audio, and the only true 2-channel preamplifier they could show me was the Anthem TLP1 hooked to an Anthem PVA 2. They were driving a Focal / JM Lab Cobalt 826 S (3-way tower) pair.

Some links:

http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/AnthemProduct/TLP1/TLP1.html
http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/AnthemProduct/PVASeries/PVASeriesHome.html
http://www.focal.tm.fr/home/en/cobaltS/index.htm

The TLP1 is slightly more than I was looking to spend, at around $700, but I wanted to hear what $700 new would get me.

Can you say disappointed? The image was not precise, the tone was thin and treble heavy, the midbass and bass were overly warm and wimpy. Disappointing. It -had- to be the speakers. Right? Wrong.

He hooked the same speakers and cd player to a marked $1500 musical fidelity integrated amplifier. Wow. Totally different story.

Bass was gripped tighter. Separation was better. Image was better. Pretty much everything was better.

So, my question:

Is Musical Fidelity stuff simply -that good- or is Anthem stuff better left to Home Theater?

Also, how much of the difference can I attribute to the amplifier stages, and how much can I attribute to the preamps?

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/mf/en/Products/A35

Levi · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 01:32 am »

Correct! Musical Fidelity is simply good much better than the Anthem in 2ch reproduction. Speakers should be top of your budget followed by amplifer and preamp. It is all subjective you know. The source also get a bit of the budget and finally cables and other tweaks.

kfr01 · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 01:43 am »

Interesting... Might have to start looking for a used MF integrated.

Speakers are set... Exodus 2641 3-way towers --- which blew the $2000+ 3-way JM Lab tower out of the water, btw.

TerryO · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 04:28 am »

On topic: If the remote could be dropped then a passive pre/attenuator could be used and they can be very inexpensive. DIYcable has a remote kit I believe, so maybe a remote passive is possible.

Quote from: kfr01

Speakers are set... Exodus 2641 3-way towers --- which blew the $2000+ 3-way JM Lab tower out of the water, btw.

Offtopic: Those Exodus 3-way towers are really something, I got to hear a preproduction prototype and thought they were pretty special. Smooth, articulate and transparent, they really put "a lot" of far more expensive speakers to shame. The designer cetainly made some intelligent design choices, resulting in a real music lover's speaker.

Best Regards,
TerryO

kfr01 · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 04:51 am »

Quote from: TerryO

On topic: If the remote could be dropped then a passive pre/attenuator could be used and they can be very inexpensive. DIYcable has a remote kit I believe, so maybe a remote passive is possible.

TerryO:

That is an interesting option. A remote passive-pre might work well for me and would be a fun little project. The passive pre concept is uncharted territory for me, however, and I am slightly concerned that it won't have the oomph and sparkle of an active pre. What do you think, is this concern unfounded?

Thanks!

konut · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 12:55 pm »

I've been using a Creek OBH-12 passive remote for almost ten years. i've been extremely happy with it. I'm always puzzled when the comment is made that passives lack oomph or sparkle. I've found mine to be quite transparent, readily revealing differences in cables and sources. Was it considered that the source was lacking and that an active preamp just covered that up? The only caveat with the Creek is that the remote sucks, and you will eventually need a universal or learning remote to replace it.

kfr01 · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 01:53 pm »

Quote from: konut

I've been using a Creek OBH-12 passive remote for almost ten years. i've been extremely happy with it. I'm always puzzled when the comment is made that passives lack oomph or sparkle. I've found mine to be quite transparent, readily revealing differences in cables and sources. Was it considered that the source was lacking and that an active preamp just covered that up? The only caveat with the Creek is that the remote sucks, and you will eventually need a universal or learning remote to replace it.

Well, I'm quite embarrassed to say that the notion passives can lack oomph and sparkle is based entirely on reviews from mags like Stereophile. I guess I should know better... Maybe a good remote passive is right for me.

Harmon · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 03:27 pm »

Hi kfr01

In consideration of your upper limit between $500.00 and $550.00 look into the Ultimate Attenuator at tweakaudio.com. You will be very glad you did.

EProvenzano · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 03:41 pm »

The FT Audio Little Wonder, use to get tons of praise a couple years ago on a few forums (you could do a search here and Audio Asylum for more info). I believe it would still be a very neutral, well built performer.

http://www.ftaudio.com/products.htm

I've had a nagging temptation to buy one myself for a few years, but have never had the right opportunity to give one a try.

Good luck!

EProvenzano · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 03:43 pm »

I just realized that the price is $550 for the standard unit and $700 with remote. I didn't realize that it exceeded your buget.

kfr01 · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 03:46 pm »

Quote from: Harmon

Hi kfr01

In consideration of your upper limit between $500.00 and $550.00 look into the Ultimate Attenuator at tweakaudio.com. You will be very glad you did.

Those look like they'd provide a very pure method of attenuation, but I'm really a "must have a remote" type of guy. Once I sit down on the couch for a listening session, I don't like to get back up.

So, here's a question: as an alternative to a passive pre. Can anyone recommend quality used solid state preamps that would compare to the great sounding Musical Fidelity stuff I heard at the AV store the other day?

So far I've only received a recommendation to seek out a used Tempest from Klaus.

WEEZ · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 06:02 pm »

You might consider the NAD C162. The list price is $599, and discounts are usually available. Phono section; (2) tape loops; remote; etc.....

WEEZ

Sintz · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Jan 2006, 06:20 pm »

Quote from: kfr01

Those look like they'd provide a very pure method of attenuation, but I'm really a "must have a remote" type of guy. Once I sit down on the couch for a listening session, I don't like to get back up.
....

I'm the same way. Must have a remote. I'm lost w/o ability to control volume settings. I used to be that way with tone controls, but have broken that habit recently.