Budget preamp - should I be looking any further than an Emotiva USP-1?

[bmwr75]

I have a partially restored Marantz 3200 preamp. It has a higher noise floor than I'd like. The noise is volume control dependent up to about 10 o'clock and then it levels out.

AM thinking about buying a budget, solid state, current production preamp. Or a good used one less than 10 years old. Should I be considering any thing else besides the new $382 Emotiva USP-1?

[SunnyDaze]

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=P-3000R&class=Reference&p=s

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

One man's "budget"...

[bmwr75]

@SD - the Onkyo is not quite in the same price range.   

[SunnyDaze]

You can get an Onkyo Integra P-304 on ePay for around 150-ish. They have stellar specs and a pretty damn good phono section.

And they do very well with cans.

[Slim-Shaddy]

I've got an onk p-308 that's a bit less than mint for $125 if interested...

[SunnyDaze]

That's a great price for that, Ed. If Scott isn't interested, I may be.

[bmwr75]

Thanks Ed, but I'll pass on the P-308.  Looking for something that is <10 years old.......or a real classic piece that has been refurbished.

[Slim-Shaddy]

@Scott: That's cool. I just figured I would throw it out there. The 308 is a piece of work. It's definitely one of the best sounding preamps I have ever owned. Chock full of electrolytics. It's just collecting dust as a back-up right now, though.

@Elijah: If you are just looking to upgrade your 304, you could trade me your Pre and a case of 60 minute. So as to avoid hijacking this thread any more, PM or Facebook me.

[bmwr75]

This Marantz 3200 preamp is driving a 5 watt tube amp a buddy built one off.

Switched to a pair of 600 ohm Beyer cans today and the buzz and hum I was hearing with some 50 ohm Fostex's disappeared.  The old adage holds true...........

[OldiesButGoodies]

I scored an Aragon 28K MkII today that looks very nice and is well thought of in web nets.  For $300 I found it hard to pass up (even has a remote).  It is one of those high-endish preamps that scoffs at the idea of tone controls (which I personally find useful, even if they allegedly add noise - so shoot me).  Will post a report later.  I have to post a report on the Black Beauty Bob amps w the KT-88 tubes, on this Aragon pre, the Rega RP1 w performance pack, and the Reference MM 3as.   And the Jolida JRC1501 hybrid.  And the Sennheiser HD 265s.  Just writing this paragraph made me tired!   Stay tuned.

Get the USP-1 and report back!  All I hear is good,  and for the price you cannot go wrong!

OBG

[mbskeam]

what tubes in the BB'S?

[OldiesButGoodies]

The BBs normally come with six KT-120s each, but Tom recommended I use six KT-88s for my application.  A bit less power (240 wpc I think) but sweeter sound,  according to my dealer.  All I can tell you is that they sound pretty damn good and I am not hurting for power!