Opinions on the best preamp under $600

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #20 on:** 14 Oct 2003, 09:03 pm »

Is Dodd sold by dealers??? I know GR Research has Dodd on the website, but I didn't find other Dodd dealers via Google.

beat · « **Reply #21 on:** 14 Oct 2003, 09:16 pm »

Quote from: Tonto Yoder

Try http://www.thetunerguy.com/new_cayin.html
for a $695 preamp. Not many details, but a pretty picture.

Man, that is one pretty preamp!! More than just a pretty picture

I wonder how it sounds?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #22 on:** 14 Oct 2003, 11:02 pm »

I can verify for you guys that the $450. Dodd pre-amp that I have posted info on in my forum is indeed the same circuitry as used in the $3,900. Melos 333.

It does use higher quality parts and has been made in a way that should make it more reliable.

What it lacks is the fancy chassis and features like balance control, less inputs, no phono stage, or head phone jack, etc.

It sounds every bit as good as the Melos, but is blown away by Gary's reference series pre-amps, but they're not $450. either.

guest1632 · « **Reply #23 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 02:09 am »

Quote from: 8thnerve

Well, because I am a dealer. I need to be able to sell the products that I use and hold in high esteem. I do often make exceptions for equipment that is just fantastic that I cannot sell like the Chris Own Ack! DAC. However, I would like to find a $600ish pre-amp to recommend and provide to customers that are looking for a pre-amp in that range. All the pre-amps that I have access to now at that price don't quite cut it IMHO.

The Cayin piece looks VERY nice. Who is the US distributor?

Hi all, Have been lurking around here since AC was formed. Anywho, how about the Purist from IRDA, and maybe the ACA2b with some different tubes, or the AES that Upscale Audio sells. I've been wondering about that too.

vpolineni · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 02:47 am »

I was just about to mention the purist from IRD audio until i read ray's post. there are numerous reviews here and one at tnt-audio.com that give it very high remarks (especially at the 0db gain setting).. and it fits your bill at 665 dollars... you may want to check it out.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 03:17 am »

8th nerve is looking for non-factory direct preamps, i.e. a brand to represent as a dealer. That disqualifies the IRD (irrespective of its appeal to AC members or audiophiles). Not sure if it disqualifies the Dodd or not??

8thnerve · « **Reply #26 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 04:25 am »

Quote from: Tonto Yoder

Not sure if it disqualifies the Dodd or not??

I'm not sure either but I'd like to know... I'd also like to know how Cayin is distributed in the US.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #27 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 08:14 am »

This Dared equipement (amps)looks interesting http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39783&item=3040497020 and this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3280&item=3049631324

Brad · « **Reply #28 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 01:55 pm »

That Dared for $299 has got to be worth trying.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #29 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 02:56 pm »

More from Hong Kong seller on Ebay http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=ysa300b&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50 .

I wonder if Jay knows anything about these companies

JoshK · « **Reply #30 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 03:37 pm »

Quote from: 8thnerve

I'd also like to know how Cayin is distributed in the US.

I can't help you there. I know of one guy that sells them, tunerguy, maybe ask him but not sure he'd tell you.

doug s. · « **Reply #31 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 06:26 pm »

re cayin, go to the source:

http://www.cayin.com/

doug s.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #32 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 07:40 pm »

Quote from: doug s.

re cayin, go to the source:

http://www.cayin.com/

doug s.

Ein de burr schlieben dast fraunterglichen, doug! Wast est der frankenfurten ein der ver sphincterhoven??

doug s. · « **Reply #33 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 07:49 pm »

tonto, well, this site does ok with cayin's website, but not too well w/yer slang:

A de burr dast fraunterglichen schlieben, doug! Wast est the Franconia fords sphincterhoven??

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/

but, that "sphincterhoven" ting can't be too good!

doug s.

playntheblues · « **Reply #34 on:** 31 Oct 2003, 11:58 pm »

Hi paul at buzzybee in chicago is the USA distributor for Cayin. His web address is 2baudio.com The tuner guy sells Cayin for more money and gets his inventory from a Canadian dealer. All the best, Guy

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #35 on:** 1 Nov 2003, 12:35 am »

Quote from: doug s.

tonto, well, this site does ok with cayin's website, but not too well w/yer slang:

A de burr dast fraunterglichen schlieben, doug! Wast est the Franconia fords sphincterhoven??

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/

but, that "sphincterhoven" ting can't be too good!

doug s.

babelfish only recognizes the King's German; I was, of course, using the
lower west-side bohemian German. And, yes, "sphincterhoven" is NOT a good thing.

avahifi · « **Reply #36 on:** 1 Nov 2003, 02:32 pm »

Is it legal for me to mention here that our solid state OmegaStar SLR preamp is $599 and our vacuum tube Transcendence Five SLR preamp is $699 and that both have just been upgraded with new regulated power supplies? I could also note that the OmegaStar just got a very nice review in the current issue of The Sensible Sound.

Our move to Woodbury, MN went off without a hitch and we are back in business at full production again. Thanks for your patience.

Frank Van Alstine

guest1632 · « **Reply #37 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 01:02 am »

What about the Preamps from AES. Upscale Audio sells them for $550.

ABEX · « **Reply #38 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 02:52 am »

Has anyone mentioned the FT Audio Passive Controller yet?

I have one I am selling because I want to try the new Panny Digital Receiver. I have found it to be a very good unit without any problems.

Very detailed and transparent.

Just a thought!