Balanced linestage (active or passive) for under $2K

zybar · « **on:** 17 Feb 2004, 04:36 am »

Besides a Bent NOH, what other preamps are out there (used or new) for under $2K that will have balanced outs and remote?

I prefer passive or tubed but would consider ss.

Thanks,

GW

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Feb 2004, 12:01 pm »

I'm happy with my BAT VK-3i --tubed, with options of remote and internal phono.(The remote controls only volume and muting, not input), Upscale sold me a used one reasonable, and he has a couple new ones listed (but on the demo page, so I assume they're discounted)--

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/products/productsN.htm

I didn't really compare it to other brands, so I don't know how it stacks up.

KeithR · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 09:46 pm »

I think under 2k you are going to have to go single ended.

The Cary SLP 98 is my favorite piece used in that neighborhood--the 2002 is balanced, but i feel the 98 sounds better.

KeithR

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:06 pm »

The 2002 has balanced connectors but it isn't balanced.

JoshK · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:10 pm »

I've heard some really good things about Gamut's C2R which has balanced. The BAT would definitely be on my list. I would probably stay in the used market. I would also keep my eyes peeled for Ayre used pre's.

srclose · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:14 pm »

I have had very good results with the BAT VK5i. Those show up in the under $2000 market, but do not have an integral phono stage like the 3i can.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:17 pm »

BAT VK 5I, BAT VK3, CJ PREMIER 14, CAT SL1 MKII, AYRE, AND THE BLUE CIRCLE STUFF I'VE HEARD ARE GOOD CHOICES FOR 2K USED.

Michael

Double Ugly · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:23 pm »

I don't know if anyone does balanced better than Balanced Audio Tech. I just sold a pristine 3i (tube pre) w/ remote for a song.

If you decide to go with BAT, I have some fairly recent experience with the company, amps, etc, and have learned a thing or two you may find useful.

DU

kyyuan · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 11:59 pm »

What about used gear from Sonic frontier such as Line 1 or Line 2 special edition?

I'm using Line 1 and it's pretty good. It does have a true balanced design.

ghersh · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 12:10 am »

Quote from: zybar

Besides a Bent NOH, what other preamps are out there (used or new) for under $2K that will have balanced outs and remote?

I prefer passive or tubed but would consider ss.

Thanks,

GW

PlacetteAudio.com -

with remote for 1K. Balanced (that is, true balanced) option - as they say, for x1.8 of the base price.

Haven't used it, but this one has very good references from those who do.

Hantra · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 12:15 am »

At that price point, there is no way to beat a Plinius M-16 IMO. I heard one the other night back to back with the best preamp I have ever heard in my life, and it was so close, it just floored me. . . I was amazed. . .

Also heard the Placette passive the other day, and it wasn't bad. But nowhere near the Plinius.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 12:43 am »

^^Hantra-What was the best preamp you ever heard in your life, BTW?^^

Enquiring minds want to know

VAN Halen Diver Down LP

zybar · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 12:54 am »

B,

Yes, I am curious as well...

I just received the single ended Placette Passive and will be putting it into the system in place of the MiniMax (which I prefer over the AVA T7).

GW

KeithR · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:13 am »

Quote from: mcrespo71

BAT VK 5I, BAT VK3, CJ PREMIER 14, CAT SL1 MKII, AYRE, AND THE BLUE CIRCLE STUFF I'VE HEARD ARE GOOD CHOICES FOR 2K USED.

Michael

Except the CJ, CAT, and Blue Circle stuff are all single-ended.

Particular reason you need balanced? Ie. have a balanced cdp and amp? Run really long ICs?

Hantra · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:15 am »

Quote

Hantra-What was the best preamp you ever heard in your life, BTW

Well, the best pre I ever heard in my life is this one:

It's the TAG Paller Model One. Designed by Henry Paller, using theory from the great Arthur Loesch. Loesch is brilliant, but it took Henry to put this into action, and what a job he did. I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with this preamp, and in EVERY system I have heard it in, it is nothing short of magic. I mean, REAL magic.

Amazing. .

Anyhow, I was stunned the other night with the Plinius. It's like the "budget" Model One.

And by the way, I heard a CAT SL1 Signature up against my old Kora that F-100 has now. The CAT is NOT a great preamp. It's not bad, but my Kora beat it. .

Dammit. . I edited this to put in about the CAT, and it wouldn't submit. . So now it says I edited it like 4x. .

B

KeithR · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:15 am »

Quote from: JoshK

The 2002 has balanced connectors but it isn't balanced.

Not what i read:

Circuit Type: Fully balanced, 4 separate line gain stages operating in class A triode

That said i don't know the ins and outs of balanced gear, except balanced is 2x the circuitry

JoshK · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:35 am »

I guess I was wrong, I know the V12i's input wasn't truely balanced just a jumpered input. I thought the 2002 was the same.

Jon L · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:38 am »

Quote from: zybar

B,

Yes, I am curious as well...

I just received the single ended Placette Passive and will be putting it into the system in place of the MiniMax (which I prefer over the AVA T7).

GW

Did you already buy the Placette passive? I brought over my Bent to MadDog's for the preamp shootout, which involved the MiniMax (before NOS).

I have also heard the Placette Passive in a different system against the Bent unit.

I Really like the Placette passive unit. Let us know what you think compared to fully-NOS tubed Minimax.

zybar · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 01:52 am »

JonL,

Did you prefer the Bent or Placette?

I did buy the Placette on Audiogon, but I can easily get my money back...

GW

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 02:22 am »

Quote

And by the way, I heard a CAT SL1 Signature up against my old Kora that F-100 has now. The CAT is NOT a great preamp. It's not bad, but my Kora beat it. .

I truly beg to differ on this one. I was at sound by singer and listened to the CAT SL 1 ULTIMATE beat a bunch of very respectable preamps- Cary SLP 98, VTL 5.5, CJ Premier 16, and the 5K Hovland preamp. I've also heard a CAT SL1 MK 3 sound glorious at a friends house. I would say that it is a great preamp, but maybe it's not in your system. I guess it's the same reasoning why I don't like Scott Nixon's Tube Dac, though I've heard it sound good in other systems.

Susan Vega- Solitude Standing