Best preamp for under $500 new or used?

goosala · « **on:** 23 Jan 2006, 04:07 am »

Right now I am leaning towards the Norh ACA 2b preamp but am entertaining others. Anyone own the Dared, Mini Max or Audio Mirror?

marvda1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 04:54 am »

Dodd audio entry level preamp (tube) $450
www.doddaudio.biz

Captain Humble · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 05:16 am »

marvda1

Quote

Dodd audio entry level preamp (tube) $450
www.doddaudio.biz

That would be my choice as well.
Good luck with your search.
Jeff

Gordy · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 06:56 am »

The Mini Max would be an excellent choice if you can find one used. Another inexpensive pre that's been well received here is the Philly Sound 7a or 7b. I had the 7a and loved it! The Audio Mirror T-61 is very nice sounding as well, but I've had some reliability issues with it

GHM · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 01:20 pm »

I've played with the Philly sound,MiniMax and the Dared.
The Minimax is in a different class of the other two. If you can find this preamp for $500. Your getting a great preamp that would make some that cost quite a bit more unlistenable. The Minimax is by far one of the best value tube preamps out there.

nature boy · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 01:47 pm »

goosala,

I would encourage you to listen to an Eastern Electric Mini-Max preamp. I have one with NOS tubes in my dedicated two-channel system and really enjoy it. It is extremely reliable and sounds great. Limitations - single ended RCA connections only and inputs for just for three components. It is a linestage preamp, so you'll have to get a separate phono preamp if you want to listen to vinyl.

NB

avta · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 11:29 pm »

Goosala:
I've been thinking about getting a Norh ACA 2b as well. The other preamps are quite a bit more money. Do you know anyone who has heard one? I think the Dodd has only two inputs.

goosala · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 12:18 am »

I have not heard it yet but the old harmonic discord site that hosted Norh had some people who bought it and reviewed it.

JoshK · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 12:32 am »

A different suggestion would be to get a pair of dave slagle's AVCs (http://www.intactaudio.com/atten.html) and put them in a box. You could do it well under your $500 limit.

JDUBS · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 01:27 am »

Quote from: JoshK

A different suggestion would be to get a pair of dave slagle's AVCs (http://www.intactaudio.com/atten.html) and put them in a box. You could do it well under your $500 limit.

I absolutely agree with Josh. I've got Dave's autoformers and would whole-heartedly recommend them as a means of attenuating volume (with NO loss in dynamics).

GHM · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 01:58 am »

If you want to go the TVC route. You can get a Electra Print PVA Preamp for $280. It isn't going to be or sound like a tubed preamp however. In the right system it should work great as a attenuator. Just scroll to the bottom of the page I supplied to see it.

nickspicks · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 02:07 am »

Having never heard of any of the others that were mentioned, I cant compare them to what I am about to suggest...
but I'd SERIOUSLY look into the Audio Experience Symphonies preamp, which is tubed, all hand built and VERY impressive, at any price. But its only $400 or so!!
The Symphonies + which is $690 somtimes shows up on agon for under $500, but they never last more than a minute.

the symph I had bested a CJ pv10 in such a way that that thing hit the for sale forums on agon in a heartbeat. It was seriously night and day. Everyone who has heard one says great things. Read up on the agon forums about it. You'll find a lot of fluffing, and for good reason.
roll the tubes and then you have a serious giant killer. I'm buying another one when I build my system (again).

they offer a version w/a remote now as well, but it adds a couple hundred to the price.
the builder/seller is out of China or Tiwan. Shipping is free. CS is good. He sells on eBay and agon only.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 02:31 am »

Quote

Best preamp for under $500 new or used?

goosala · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 03:55 am »

For power amplification I have the IRD monoblocks and Cambridge Audio CD player from 2000. Speakers are Monitor Audio 705 PMC's.

doorman · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 04:38 am »

If you can live with a "hair shirt" approach, (3 inputs only, no remote, etc.) The Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid (tubed) pre is a real winner. Fast, quiet, and quite neutral. The kit, if you're into DIY, is only 500 bucks.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 04:48 am »

If you can find one, I can heartily recommend the Dynaco PAS-4. I've owned one for 3 years now and it has displaced a few challengers along the way. See www.audioreview. com for enthusiastic reviews on it.

It has 6 tubes....two 6dj8/6922's in the line and two 6dj8/6922 and two 12ax7's in phono section. Yes, it has phono - and a particularly nice one, too.

Each tube has buffered outputs, essentially acting as a power supply for each tube. It makes it richly clear and dynamic without plumpiness often associated with tubes. Use a rope caulk hat/cap or Herbie's tube damper on each tube to largely eliminate microphonics. Use Sovtek 12ax7's and swap out 6922's for Svetlana 6n1p's. Because of the buffered outputs, yo can use this much 'hotter' tube with outstanding results....the sterility, typical of Sovtek 6922's is erased with the 6n1p's. They are cheap, too, I bought a pair for $12 online.

Even the cryo'ed 6n1ps' can be found for under $30.00 online

It has an IEC jack for foolin' around with wire...I haven't found a difference with std. 14 or 16ga cord that came with it.

A great buy - I've seen them for under $500.00 on A-gon. Not in a while, tho

chadh · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 05:13 am »

Just a comment about the Dodd ELP. Seems as though it's discontinued. At least, that's the story on the tweekgeek page:

http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=DoddEntyLevelPre

So, if you're looking for one, it may have to be used.

Chad

doorman · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 05:30 am »

I realised I could have included: http://www.transcendentsound.com

Captain Humble · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 08:47 am »

Here's an Entry Level Dodd pre for sale in the trading post.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16200

westcoast · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Jan 2006, 10:11 am »

Quote from: Captain Humble

Here's an Entry Level Dodd pre for sale in the trading post.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16200

It looks as though this listing was nearly a year ago, with uncertain result. Good luck, though!