shopping for a preamp

beat · « **on:** 26 Aug 2003, 02:09 am »

Hello all,
I think I need to pick up a preamp..I mostly need it to only switch from TT to CD and to allow for bi-amping. Any suggestions for under 1000? If there is some alternative to running a preamp that someone knows of I'd be into that as an option (to eliminate as much circuitry as possible). Im running tubes for the top end an SS on the bottom end.
thanks in advance, beat

Guan · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 09:28 am »

Hi beat,

I've been using an IRD Purist for about a month and I'm impressed with it. For under $1K I don't know of a better built, designed and executed line level SS preamp. The Purist has bi-amp outputs, a superb swiss-made ladder stepped attenuator and adjustable gain. At '0' db gain you basically have a buffered passive line stage. Do check out the IRD circle here for more details.

The Purist is VERY quiet, transparent and believe me when I say that it exhibits NO typical SS hash, tizziness, peakiness or harshness. In fact, the Purist sounds smooth, coherent and musical with plenty of detail.

I also use a CR Developments tube preamp and a passive DACT attenuator. After spending quite some time comparing the Purist and the CR, I found that the CR adds a little more palpability and liveliness to the sound. Note that I used the word 'add' as in tube added 2nd and 3rd harmonics. This trait seems to compliment my Rowland 8T amp better than the Purist. But at the cost of a higher noise floor and susceptibility to hum. It is all about component/system synergy but I believe the Purist is just about as neutral as it gets.

I found out to my surprise that the Purist works best plugged straight into the wall without any AC filtering from my DeZorel Audio Reference Senior power filter. No other component I own can claim this. I asked Curt and sure enough, he has a good AC filter already built into the Purist. Hats off to you, Curt!

As you are bi-amping with both tube and SS (very different input impedances), an active pre is a must. I found that the Purist drives my Mesa Baron tube amp very well.

Finally, I must point out that Curt is an absolute gem to deal with. He goes the extra mile and the mile after that to ensure that his products are right for your system

. Highly recommended.

beat · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 02:01 pm »

Thanks Guan,
that looks and sounds like a great unit. How do I get in touch with Curt? Also, why is an active pre essential? (I'm new to this)
regards, beat

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 02:18 pm »

I'm with Guan. I've been using an IRD purist for a couple months and I love it. It will do what you are interested in and it is in your price range. Also, Mapletree offers great tube pre's like this and Dodd audio has a minimalist tube pre as well. All of these are $700 and less.

Active preamps are easier to implement in a system although passives can work if your source and SS amp match well (impedance wise) and your cables are really short.

Marbles · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 02:37 pm »

Quote from: beat

Thanks Guan,
that looks and sounds like a great unit. How do I get in touch with Curt? Also, why is an active pre essential? (I'm new to this)
regards, beat

Beat, Curt has his IRD forum here at AC.

His website is: http://www.ird-thailand.com/

His email is: curt@ird-thailand.com

rkapadia@ROOP · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 04:40 pm »

If you haven't listened to the Bottlehead Foreplay, I think it's a great preamplifier, at an excellent price point. I listened to a version with all of the factory options, NOS tubes (RCA's I'd like to think), and thought the foreplay to be more musical by far than anything I had the opportunity to listen to within it's price range.

Also, I wanted to add the Bent Audio to the list - I owned a silver incarnation; the bass wasn't the most I've heard from my speakers, but what was present was extremely tight, musical, and satisfying. This preamp is amongst one of the clearest I've had in my chain, though in systems with impedance matching problems it may fool with your soundstage.

Regards

Rup

beat · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 06:42 pm »

Rup,
thanks, I looked into that as one of my first choices but I didn't see that it would provide me a way to biamp. Is there a way?

thanks again

MaxCast · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 06:55 pm »

Quote from: beat

Rup,
thanks, I looked into that as one of my first choices but I didn't see that it would provide me a way to biamp. Is there a way?

thanks again

You can add a second output. I have the plans now and will be soldering soon

hmen · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 07:10 pm »

I have the AES/Cary Super Preamp signature model. I'm really happy with it . But more importantly from your standpoint it just has one set of outputs and I bi-amp. I use a couple of "Y" jacks on my RCA outputs and it drives both amps with ease. I think most decent preamps will do this. I didn't even have to use expensive "Y" jacks. After I bought my new speakers from VMPS I called and asked Brian Chaney if I needed a special pre for bi-amping. He told me to just get a pair of "Y" jacks from Monster for $15.00 each. The little bit you lose by splitting the channels is more than made up for by the gain that you get from an active pre.

beat · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 09:41 pm »

Well that is nice to know,
thanks guys. It opens up alot of options. I heard you have to be more careful buying a used pre than an amp. Has anyone had a bad experience there?

aaird · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 09:58 pm »

You could try one of these:

It's an SA93 from Shengya Audio. Dual torroidal transformers in the closed side, fully balanced, dual outputs, remote, 30 lbs, about $700.
It's a chinese high end model. If you email me I can give you more pics of the inside and back.

http://www.shengya-audio.com

Andrew

JohnR · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 10:07 pm »

Quote from: beat

If there is some alternative to running a preamp that someone knows of I'd be into that as an option (to eliminate as much circuitry as possible

Yep, and it only costs a few bux:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2608

If you have to buy a built unit I'd be careful about buying used in this price range. You might get a "great deal" but that's only compared to the stupid price the thing was in the first place. A few years ago $400 did *not* buy you a good used preamp, so it would make more sense to look at gear that was priced right to start with like the IRD, I believe there are other products represented on this board under 1k.

Personally, I didn't like the Foreplay at all.

JohnR · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 10:08 pm »

Quote from: aaird

You could try one of these:

aaird, could you clarify what your involvement in this Chinese group buy thing is please?

aaird · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 10:11 pm »

I am a buyer, as are a bunch of other people. I'm just spreading the word on the good deals that can be had.

I don't make a penny, if you're wondering.

Andrew

Hantra · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Aug 2003, 10:13 pm »

Hey man. . . Not trying to advertise for anyone, but you may want to try that Kora Equinoxe on the Trading Post. One hell of a preamp. I just got rid of mine b/c I went to an integrated. Even before I put Siemens in mind, I was able to hands-down beat the CAT SL-1. It's a tad bit lightweight in the lower bass department, but everything else is divine!

Then again, while I'm advertising. .

Go bid on my McIntosh at ebay. hehe

B