Suggestions for compact stereo pre-amp...

mix4fix · « **on:** 9 Mar 2011, 01:58 am »

Looking for suggestions on compact stereo pre-amps...

(Parasound Z-series size)

Phil A · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 02:31 am »

Channel Islands and Linn are two that come to mind off the top of my head that make smaller components

mix4fix · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 02:43 am »

Quote from: Phil A on 9 Mar 2011, 02:31 am

Channel Islands and Linn are two that come to mind off the top of my head that make smaller components

Thanks Tom...

I don't wanna spend $1500 for a glorified kitchen radio...

Phil A · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 03:02 am »

Quote from: mix4fix on 9 Mar 2011, 02:43 am

Thanks Tom...

I don't wanna spend $1500 for a glorified kitchen radio...

dvenardos · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 04:12 am »

What price range are you looking at?

WGH · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 04:32 am »

KingRex makes a sweet sounding pre-amp, I've been using one in my shop for 1-1/2 years and listen to it every day.
My review: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68537.msg634833#msg634833

At just 7" wide it looks small next to standard 17" wide equipment

Wayne

mix4fix · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 05:03 pm »

Quote from: WGH on 9 Mar 2011, 04:32 am

KingRex makes a sweet sounding pre-amp, I've been using one in my shop for 1-1/2 years and listen to it every day.
My review: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68537.msg634833#msg634833

At just 7" wide it looks small next to standard 17" wide equipment

Wayne

I've seen a couple of those like that; how do you select between sources?

johzel · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 05:12 pm »

Belles Soloist 3 isn't too big.

http://www.powermodules.com/power_modules/soloist_3__preamp.html

Absolute Sound did a review titled, "Separates for the Space Deprived" on the two Soloist units . . . .

http://www.avguide.com/review/belles-soloist-series-3-preamp-soloist-5-amplifier

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 06:41 pm »

Quote from: Phil A on 9 Mar 2011, 02:31 am

Channel Islands and Linn are two that come to mind off the top of my head that make smaller components

+1 on the Channel Islands Audio. I used one of their VPC for years. The only reason I moved off it is because I needed something with a remote. If all that is needed are a couple of inputs, it's tough to beat a VPC for both size and price.

JLM · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 06:47 pm »

No source selection and lousy egonomics, but stepped attenuators have better sound than passives (when connected to the back of your amp there is fewer connections/cable mis-match issues/perfect stereo separation), take no shelf space, and are cheaper.

Google Scott Endler.

low.pfile · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 07:47 pm »

Quote from: mix4fix on 9 Mar 2011, 05:03 pm

I've seen a couple of those like that; how do you select between sources?

Based on the 6moons review, the King Rex automatically selects the two inputs (the powered on source)

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 08:08 pm »

Mapletree tubed pre's are small and two pieces so one can be behind the other.

bside123 · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 08:36 pm »

If you are willing to buy pre-owned, how about a McCormack Micro Line Drive? Can be operated either active or passive... and SMc Audio has a great upgrade path! No, I don't have one for sale, but these can occasionally be found here and on Audiogon.

Dimensions: 9.5” wide, 9” deep, 3” high - Shipping Weight: 8 lbs.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Mar 2011, 08:38 pm »

Aric audio makes a small tubed pre. Cheap too!

http://aricaudiosystems.com/product.sc?productId=16&categoryId=2

mix4fix · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 02:09 pm »

Quote from: johzel on 9 Mar 2011, 05:12 pm

Belles Soloist 3 isn't too big.

http://www.powermodules.com/power_modules/soloist_3__preamp.html

Absolute Sound did a review titled, "Separates for the Space Deprived" on the two Soloist units . . . .

http://www.avguide.com/review/belles-soloist-series-3-preamp-soloist-5-amplifier

I like that; kinda pricy if I was to buy it new (for it's intended purpose).

rbwalt · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 02:52 pm »

fix go with BELLES.it is very good ss and it is made in this country ( rochester new york, my home town). tubes are not for you.

r.

doug s. · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 08:00 pm »

i have two suggestions:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1304200224&/New-Dared-Sl-2000a-Pure-Tube-p

these can be found used for even less; example:
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/216597-dared_sl2000a_audiophile_tube_preamp/
a bud of mine a-b'd it with a vtl tl5.5 and preferred the dared, (which had nos tubes).

or, (if your system can handle a passive pre):
diyparadise eva-2. here's a pic, and a review:
http://sites.thestar.com.my/audio/story.asp?file=/2010/4/12/afreviews/6001894&sec=afreviews

diyparadise website:
http://diyparadise.com/web/projectsto-keep-you-busy-mainmenu-26/147-beautiful-eva
http://diyparadise.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18
(only eva 2 is now available; original eva is nla.)

i use an eva-2 between my tubed pre and my amps, and it is absolutely fantastic, in an active system. it actually improved the sound of my excellent modded melos preamp, by allowing me to run it w/its wolume pots at almost full gain...

both of these are really small...

doug s. (edited to prowide eva-2 mfr links.)

Doublej · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Mar 2011, 01:18 am »

Is 160mm x40x70 mm small enough for you?

Chordette Prime

A tad bigger - Cyrus

JLM · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Mar 2011, 10:29 pm »

http://www.decware.com/newsite/CSP2.html

$900, tons of signal, also serves as a headphone amp.

gcos · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Apr 2011, 12:02 am »

Have been enjoying over the last 3 days my new Aricaudio 3.7 ($400) www.aricaudio.com tube preamp. Clean, detailed and very musical with my Emo UPA1 monoblocks now on special for $299 each. Aric supplied a pair of nos Japanese made Baldwin 12AU7s. which are well regarded for their smooth tone. Totally pleased. I replaced the rubber mounts with brass cones from supercellaudio.com which are excellent value at 4bucks each approx.