Chiliarches Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 (edited) Required: a remote Important: multiple outs Nice to haves: tape loop, tone control, phono stage, mono button Max $600. This is meant to be my backup unit. Will consider something more expensive if it is really special; my main preamp is broken right now anyway, so I might just have it fixed and sell it if I prefer the replacement! Thank you! --- EDIT: FOUND ONE. THANKS FOR THE HELP! Edited July 16, 2021 by Chiliarches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 I have no hesitation suggesting these. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649756506-cambridge-azur-840e-preamp/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649756421-aragon-28k-mkii/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649754036-adcom-gfp-555-preamp-in-very-good-condition-and-works-well/ Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOReilly Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 I did this search once and wound up with an Emotiva BasX PT-100. Best bang for buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanksjim1 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 what amp you using it with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstrickland1 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 B&K Reference 50? No Phono but a very nice sounding piece. I even have a Reference 200.2 amp to go along with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 So sound quality is not important to you? Just that it has a remote and multiple outputs? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliarches Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 2 hours ago, Shakeydeal said: So sound quality is not important to you? Just that it has a remote and multiple outputs? Sound quality is important, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliarches Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 4 hours ago, hanksjim1 said: what amp you using it with? My main music amps are VRD monoblocks. I also use a McIntosh MC2105. But, in the spirit of convenience and room layout I am going to try out a cheap pair of chip amps (TPA3255 mono amps) in its place to compare the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 For 600.00 you aren't likely to get a phono stage, remote, and tone controls (ugh!). And if you do, at that price you probably won't like the SQ. A halfway decent phono stage will cost that much or more. If your digital source is up to the task, you could try a Schiit Saga or Freya. Your VRD amps have high input impedance and plenty of gain, so a passive device could work. This will give you the remote you wanted and you can add a good phono stage later. If you can stretch your budget quite a bit, this is the one I'd buy. I owned one many years ago and it's a pretty good piece. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649743363-audio-research-sp9-mark-iii-preamplifier-mm-phono-black/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliarches Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 9 hours ago, willland said: I have no hesitation suggesting these. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649756506-cambridge-azur-840e-preamp/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649756421-aragon-28k-mkii/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649754036-adcom-gfp-555-preamp-in-very-good-condition-and-works-well/ Bill Thank you, will take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1291 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Msg sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliarches Posted July 16, 2021 Author Share Posted July 16, 2021 Ended up getting one of these: https://www.akitika.com/PR102.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolve2525 Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 That looks interesting! I've never seen that one before. Are they getting good buzz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliarches Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 (edited) 23 hours ago, absolve2525 said: That looks interesting! I've never seen that one before. Are they getting good buzz? It has been recommended a few times over the years on some of the audio forums but hasn’t been formally reviewed that I’ve seen. Some of the reviews on the maker’s website clinched it for me. The gent that makes them has a power amp that was well reviewed in Stereophile, compared favorably to Pass Labs and PrimaLuna (it was in the “B” class for Stereophile’s recommended components this year). The preamp looks to be the best value out there, if you want all the old fashioned controls in a new unit without spending several times the price. Perhaps the buzz starts here? Edited July 18, 2021 by Chiliarches 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolve2525 Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Nice! I look for bass, treble, and loudness functions on a preamp, which usually means more vintage type for me. I'd be interested to know how it sounds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 it's missing a Midrange tone control , no big deal , 1 more hole and a new electronics board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolve2525 Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Yes, a midrange control is nice too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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