Author Topic: WTB: Preamplifier  (Read 3620 times)

OldiesButGoodies

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WTB: Preamplifier
« on: February 23, 2013, 09:38:13 AM »
I was using an Emotiva USP-1 as my pre.  It was a nice piece - home theater pass thru and a good phono stage with a built-in moving coil step up transformer.  Sounded a bit better than an AV receiver as pre.  But Emotiva ticked me off by dropping the price $75 after I bought it and refusing to apply the discount to my purchase.  So I returned it - it was still within the 30 day return period. 

Since I am starting the search again,  I am interested in a pre with phono stage and tone controls.  I may end up getting an Emotiva XPS-1 (I am a masochist I guess),  but testing the waters here to see if anyone has a spare C19 or similar. 

PM me if you do!

Have a great weekend...  I am hitting Jerry's Records later today,  that is my treat for the weekend.

OBG

Offline StephenWVU

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2013, 10:41:16 AM »
I have a Tandberg 3008a, but I was wanting to sell it as a pair with the Tandberg 3006a amplifier.  They are currently at the shop, as they were being cleaned. 
Speakers: Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams Reference 18
Amplifier:
Mark Levinson ML3 (subs)
Phison A2.120SE (towers)
Preamplifier/DAC/Phono: Phison PD2SE
Server: Pi & NUC
Turntable: VPI HR-X, VdH Colibri XGW

Offline Steve_Rynn

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2013, 11:01:25 AM »
If you can find one for a good price - I loved my Marantz SC-11S1. It has a great phono stage (mm and mc), balanced connections, headphone amp and is built like a brick you know what. Very warm sounding but plenty of detail that seems to pair well with a lot of things. Only thing lacking are tone controls.

I ended up switching it out and getting the integrated amp version, the marantz pm15s1, but I honestly think it sounds better in preamp mode with my old b&k st202 as an amp. The pm15s1 does have tone controls and I actually like using them. It still sounds great as an integrated amp - but just a little quicker and more detailed as a separate. Also, I got this for cheaper than I sold the SC-11S1, and it seems to fly under the radar a little.

Just something else to think of - good luck on the search

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2013, 01:08:16 PM »
ok thks for the advice will look into it. 

the hunt is fun - so I am not sweating using the receiver as a pre for a while...

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2013, 07:31:25 PM »
Purchased a Parasound 2100 preamp today:

http://www.parasound.com/nc/2100.php

Seems to have everything I need and functionality-wise including tone control, and has design advantages over the Emotiva (Ex. goes into HT bypass mode automatically when off).  Parasound also makes decent phono stages so I am hopeful that the one in this pre will kick ass.  Will report when I get it.

Offline StephenWVU

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2013, 07:38:30 PM »
Congratulations! Can't wait for you to tell us how it sounds. Should I assume you will not want the Tandberg equipment? Planning on listing it on ePay on Wednesday.
Speakers: Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams Reference 18
Amplifier:
Mark Levinson ML3 (subs)
Phison A2.120SE (towers)
Preamplifier/DAC/Phono: Phison PD2SE
Server: Pi & NUC
Turntable: VPI HR-X, VdH Colibri XGW

Offline Sir Thrift-a-Lot

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2013, 01:23:47 PM »
(Ex. goes into HT bypass mode automatically when off). 

What does this mean?

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2013, 03:11:59 PM »
in my set up i use the eq for home theater and two-channel audio.  the Parasound will only do its thing for 2 channel audio - vinyl, rtr, CD. when off it becomes a invisible to the av receiver upstream,  which sends its left and right front signals through it to get to the power amps.

so it meant I do not have to turn on and press the HT bypass button on the Parasound to use the home theater,  just leave that pre off.

Offline Sir Thrift-a-Lot

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2013, 04:45:30 PM »
So you have your two channel and your HT in the same room?   I think I get it now.

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: WTB: Preamplifier
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2013, 05:01:12 PM »
Yes.  I have to move the Magnepans into two-channel listening position when I do that to form the triangle,  otherwise they are in their Dolby spot.