Suggestions for a preamp

[billbeau]

I am currently using the preamp stage of my Pioneer SA-9500II

Integrated amp to power a set of Carver M400 amps connected to a pair

of RB-81s. Im wondering if using a dedicated preamp would make my

system sound even better. What would you suggest for a preamp with the

following specs.

Two phono inputs

Two tape inputs

No tuner

Silver faced preferred but not necessary

Tube is ok but not my first choice as I dont need another heater in this small room. It gets warm enough with the computers.

Under 275.00

[Cal Blacksmith]

Under $275 may be a bit tough to get much of an improvement I think. Seperates nearly always will sound better though. What type of music are you listening to? How loud? What type of sound are you looking for, clinical, warm, cold?

[billbeau]

Under 275 tough? Well maybe I should up it to say 500.00.

I listen to ROCK ! Stuff like Black Sabath, Rush, Talking Heads, Ramones, The Kinks. Im recording to computer (digital) and then to CD. I am looking for very good sound to make accurate digital repoduction of the LPs. I just got a very nice sound (ESI Juli) only 2ch in and 2ch out. It is a 24bit 192KHz card with RCAs in and out.

[Hifi jim]

Under $500 opens some doors. Maybe a McIntosh C26 or C28, beautiful sounding preamp with two phonos (very nice sounding phono at that), and two tape loops. And like all Macs, if you buy them at a reasonable price you'll always get your money back or even make some as their gear continues to appreciate. C26 usually around $350 on eBay or Audiogon.

[Cal Blacksmith]

There is a Pioneer Spec 1 for sale on Audiogon,it has a flaw in the face but other than that it is a solid, 70s era pre-amp with everything you asked for including the silver face. He is asking $325 OBO

LINK

[billbeau]

There is a couple of them on Ebay. The Spec 1 is almost the same thing as the SA-9500I. I'm actually looking for something not Pioneer. Maybe a Carver C4000 or C1 preamp. I was looking at the Phase Linear but dont care for the 4 channel joy stick thing in the middle of the unit.

[thebes]

Why don't you take a flyer on a tube pre. You might be suprised at how the grit and steel goes out of your system. Probably end up with more detail and a better soundstage too.

I don't think I've ever seen so many reasonably priced tube preamps on Audiogon as there are right now. With that many pres up for sale your bargaining power has also gone up. Your selection will depend upon weather or not you want, or need, a phono stage.

[tigerwoodKhorns]

For two phono inputs you will probably need to go vintage like a Yamaha CR1020.

In your original budget:

Forte Audio. You will not do better for the money. They come up regularly. Add a Forte power amp later.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1225227833&/Forte-Model-2-class-A-preamp-w

Your modified budget:

Musical Fidelity A3 integrated amp:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1224821986&/Musical-Fidelity-A3-integrated

Musical Fidelity is awesome equipment and very underpriced for what it is.

[Hifi jim]

Why don't you take a flyer on a tube pre.  You might be suprised at how the grit and steel goes out of your system. Probably end up with more detail and a better soundstage too.   

I don't think I've ever seen so many reasonably priced tube preamps on Audiogon as there are right now. With that many pres up for sale your bargaining power has also gone up. Your selection will depend upon weather or not you want, or need, a phono stage. 

Yes! Many good deals on Conrad Johnson PV-10's. Line stage version (no phono) is on Audiogon now for $475. That is a beauty of a preamp for little $$$. But Bill did want two phono inputs and two tape loops, and I think that's where the Mac C26 is a great fit. Its sound is hard to beat. As old as the McIntosh design is, it still is more transparent than many later designs such as the Carvers.

[billbeau]

I have done some rethinking on this matter and have decided to change
up a little and make two systems. The first system will be the
recording system. It doesnt need some outstanding set of speakers as
all it will do is just record from Tape (RTR or Cassette) and Phono to
Computer. This system will be the following.



Pioneer SA-9500II 80w/ch 8ohm or 100w/ch 4ohm

Pioneer TX-8500II Tuner

Pioneer SG-9800 Graphic Eq

Pioneer RG-1 Range Expander

Pioneer CF-F1000 Cassette

Pioneer RT-909 10.5" Reel

Pioneer PL-540 TT Stanton 681A

Pioneer PL-560 TT Stanton 681EE

DBX 400 Input selector

DBX 224 Range expander noise reduction

Twin SAE 5000 Noise reduction (pop & Click removal)

AMD 4800+ X2 with ESI Juli 24bit 192KHz ADC/DAC, Twin CD/DVD Recorders

Infinity Qe 4ohm 2 way 2 speaker 100w speakers





For playback/editing is where I need the preamp and would go as high as
600.00 but only need one tape loop and no phono or 1 phono but no
tuner. This system will be the following.



??? Preamp

Twin Carver M400 Power Amps 200w each setup to biamp speakers

Pioneer PDR-609 CD Recorder

Sony MDS-JB920 MiniDisc Recorder

DBX 400XG Input Selector

DBX 228 Range Expander Noise Reduction

Klipsch RB-81 2 Speaker 2 way speakers

Klipsch RSW-10d 10" Sub

AMD 6400+ X2 with ESI Juli 24bit 192KHz ADC/DAC, Twin CD/DVD Recorders



The DBX 400s give me three tape loops and only using one tape loop on
the pre. I can dub from one to another I can also record to all three.
I do have an old Sony STR-AV970 reciever that I could use as the pre
for now untill I can find a good pre that would match the Carver amps.

[Mallette]

Can't help but wonder why so much duplication in that system.

Dave

[Guy Landau]

RGR model 4 (Robert Grodinsky Research) preamp can be usually found for around $250 on ebay.

It has all the features you need and it sounds great with Klipsch.