2nd PREAMP Suggestions?
- Thread starter Monad
- Start date
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
You'd be shocked how good $31 can sound. Bought it to temporarily replace a Bottleheard Foreplay III and now it's become a permanent part of my system.
RoveronMars
New Member
Try this one...I love it with my Adcom GFA-555
https://kenrockwell.com/audio/apt/holman-preamplifier.htm
https://kenrockwell.com/audio/apt/holman-preamplifier.htm
xero-D-hero
Super Member
My preamp (and pre-tuner) stable currently includes:
Adcom GTP-450
Adcom GTP-500 Mk1
Adcom GTP-502
Kenwood Basic C1
NAD 106
NAD 1300
Onkyo P-301
Parasound P/FET-900
Sanyo C55+
And then I have two integrateds that can be used as preamps as well:
Kenwood KA-7300
NAD 3140
The Adcom pre/tuners all sound pretty much the same,capable in most all respects but nothing stellar mind you,just good solid workhorses.
File those under > Good bang for the buck < preamps.
It's also nice those all have remotes as SOP,,,and when used with the Adcom ACE it's a one button press & play affair...
Now the Kenwood Basic C1,what a sweet sounding preamp,so this one is special IMO,and they're out there for reasonable prices.
And by all accounts it only gets better if they're gone thru by someone that knows what they're doing.
My favorite feature on this preamp is the adjustable loudness control,that thing is just the ticket for low volume listening sessions.
Good phono section by most accounts as well. If I find another one when I got the spare $$ I'll buy another for sure.
Now as sweet as that Kenwood Basic C1 is,the NAD 106 absolutely CRUSHES it,man I love this NAD preamp,and it has XLR outs too.
I loved my first one sooooo much I bought another near mint ITB unit because I can't believe these are selling for what they're going for.
This preamp has everything I need,and nothing I dont,and it's headphone section is PERFECT for driving high impedance AKG headphones.
Ask me this one is seriously under-rated & totally flies under the radar of most audio lovers (as well as it's predecessor the 1000s).
This one has a fairly basic phono section too,and NAD phono sections are typically well regarded,so that would be a + for some folks I'm sure.
Now the NAD 1300 is pretty nice too,lots more "bells & whistles" in that it has adjustable turnover switches for the tone controls among other items.
And it's sound signature is pretty similar to the 106 in that they're both from the same "Monitor Series" from NAD,but they not identical twins either.
One "ding" on this preamp is I'm not super crazy about the combination volume/balance knob this unit has vs. the seperate controls on the 106.
But again these NAD preamps are said to have very nice phono sections in them,and this preamp's phono section also has a pF switch as well.
And I feel obligated to point out that this one does'nt have those XLR outs.
The Onkyo,it's kinda like the Adcom pre/tuners,funtional enough,but nothing to throw a ton of praise at,so it sounds fine,but yeah nothing remarkable mind you.
It does have one thing going for it,and that is it has an adjustable loudness control,I came to love this feature after using it with that Basic C1.
Beyond that it has a remote,a very basic phono section (MM only),and they can be had for a very fair price,so FWIW I got mine as a back-up.
The Parasound P/FET-900,cant say too much 'bout it yet as I have'nt even hooked it up yet,but it's like new in it's original box so I'm anxious to do so.
You wont find much about this unit on the web either,I was intrigued when I came across it so I pulled the trigger,but was very busy hence why it sat idle.
From it's feature set it seems quite similar to that Kenwood Basic C1 in the respect that they both have that adjustable loudness control.
Anyhow I've wanted to put together a Parasound system and this seemed as good a preamp to start that rig out with,so it was a done deal.
When I get it up & running I'll be sure to report back to my fellow AK'ers what I feel about this unit.
And the Sanyo C55+,what's to say that has'nt already been said on most all these audio forums ?
Anyone who's heard one knows what I'm saying,it's reputation for sonic excellence is well deserved IMHO.
Everyone should try one at least once to see if it's their cup-O-tea,and if you shop wisely they can still be had reasonably.
Oh yeah,the phono section on this one is said to be superb,and I trust that to be so.
As for the preamp sections on those two integrated,both very good,both well respected by most all accounts,both have great phono sections.
Whew,,,I'm done,,,LOL...
Just some food for thought.
FWIW ~ HTH
Bret P.
Adcom GTP-450
Adcom GTP-500 Mk1
Adcom GTP-502
Kenwood Basic C1
NAD 106
NAD 1300
Onkyo P-301
Parasound P/FET-900
Sanyo C55+
And then I have two integrateds that can be used as preamps as well:
Kenwood KA-7300
NAD 3140
The Adcom pre/tuners all sound pretty much the same,capable in most all respects but nothing stellar mind you,just good solid workhorses.
File those under > Good bang for the buck < preamps.
It's also nice those all have remotes as SOP,,,and when used with the Adcom ACE it's a one button press & play affair...
Now the Kenwood Basic C1,what a sweet sounding preamp,so this one is special IMO,and they're out there for reasonable prices.
And by all accounts it only gets better if they're gone thru by someone that knows what they're doing.
My favorite feature on this preamp is the adjustable loudness control,that thing is just the ticket for low volume listening sessions.
Good phono section by most accounts as well. If I find another one when I got the spare $$ I'll buy another for sure.
Now as sweet as that Kenwood Basic C1 is,the NAD 106 absolutely CRUSHES it,man I love this NAD preamp,and it has XLR outs too.
I loved my first one sooooo much I bought another near mint ITB unit because I can't believe these are selling for what they're going for.
This preamp has everything I need,and nothing I dont,and it's headphone section is PERFECT for driving high impedance AKG headphones.
Ask me this one is seriously under-rated & totally flies under the radar of most audio lovers (as well as it's predecessor the 1000s).
This one has a fairly basic phono section too,and NAD phono sections are typically well regarded,so that would be a + for some folks I'm sure.
Now the NAD 1300 is pretty nice too,lots more "bells & whistles" in that it has adjustable turnover switches for the tone controls among other items.
And it's sound signature is pretty similar to the 106 in that they're both from the same "Monitor Series" from NAD,but they not identical twins either.
One "ding" on this preamp is I'm not super crazy about the combination volume/balance knob this unit has vs. the seperate controls on the 106.
But again these NAD preamps are said to have very nice phono sections in them,and this preamp's phono section also has a pF switch as well.
And I feel obligated to point out that this one does'nt have those XLR outs.
The Onkyo,it's kinda like the Adcom pre/tuners,funtional enough,but nothing to throw a ton of praise at,so it sounds fine,but yeah nothing remarkable mind you.
It does have one thing going for it,and that is it has an adjustable loudness control,I came to love this feature after using it with that Basic C1.
Beyond that it has a remote,a very basic phono section (MM only),and they can be had for a very fair price,so FWIW I got mine as a back-up.
The Parasound P/FET-900,cant say too much 'bout it yet as I have'nt even hooked it up yet,but it's like new in it's original box so I'm anxious to do so.
You wont find much about this unit on the web either,I was intrigued when I came across it so I pulled the trigger,but was very busy hence why it sat idle.
From it's feature set it seems quite similar to that Kenwood Basic C1 in the respect that they both have that adjustable loudness control.
Anyhow I've wanted to put together a Parasound system and this seemed as good a preamp to start that rig out with,so it was a done deal.
When I get it up & running I'll be sure to report back to my fellow AK'ers what I feel about this unit.
And the Sanyo C55+,what's to say that has'nt already been said on most all these audio forums ?
Anyone who's heard one knows what I'm saying,it's reputation for sonic excellence is well deserved IMHO.
Everyone should try one at least once to see if it's their cup-O-tea,and if you shop wisely they can still be had reasonably.
Oh yeah,the phono section on this one is said to be superb,and I trust that to be so.
As for the preamp sections on those two integrated,both very good,both well respected by most all accounts,both have great phono sections.
Whew,,,I'm done,,,LOL...
Just some food for thought.
FWIW ~ HTH
Bret P.
Last edited:
Awesome info/ food for thought Xero. I came close to getting a C1/T1 combo last week, that sold for $150 and I'm still keeping an eye out for a clean C-70. There wern't any NAD 106s on the bay but I did see a 1300 for $285 obo.
I ended up having some 'settings' issues with my PC/ ModiM DAC and resetting those greatly improved the sound I was getting from the Freya, so I pivoted to upgrading my TT instead of going with a new preamp. I also picked up a Schiit Mani to get me going. I do like the sound it delivers but I'm also excited to test it against other preamp phono sections.
I ended up having some 'settings' issues with my PC/ ModiM DAC and resetting those greatly improved the sound I was getting from the Freya, so I pivoted to upgrading my TT instead of going with a new preamp. I also picked up a Schiit Mani to get me going. I do like the sound it delivers but I'm also excited to test it against other preamp phono sections.
I ended up sending the Nak packing. I did reach out to Backert Labs and ask them if they'd experienced anything like this. They responded quickly and offered to put it on the bench, at no cost to me (!). Very cool guy. I was impressed.
Sadly I was already burned and honestly the unit sounded a bit veiled, noticeable with jazz piano, where it sounded like it was playing in from a cardboard box. I exaggerate but I'm guessing at the least, hum bug aside, that it was ready for recap and I wasn't willing to spend the time and $/ risk to ship the unit to Backert. The experience cooled my jets on getting a new vintage preamp for a while but I'm already back to looking at C70s, C1s.. others.
Sadly I was already burned and honestly the unit sounded a bit veiled, noticeable with jazz piano, where it sounded like it was playing in from a cardboard box. I exaggerate but I'm guessing at the least, hum bug aside, that it was ready for recap and I wasn't willing to spend the time and $/ risk to ship the unit to Backert. The experience cooled my jets on getting a new vintage preamp for a while but I'm already back to looking at C70s, C1s.. others.
mjw21a
Super Member
The Schiit preamps are actually pretty spectacular irrespective of cost. Why are you looking to move on from yours?
I'm using the smaller Schiit Saga which is pretty spectacular in my system though it is getting replaced with a used Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL 2 which I expect to better it in terms of sound stage without otherwise changing the sound. Likewise it will gain me a headphone amp which I'll need soon (baby on the way).
Perhaps an LTA MZ2 or even the new 3 would be worthwhile looking at?
I'm using the smaller Schiit Saga which is pretty spectacular in my system though it is getting replaced with a used Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL 2 which I expect to better it in terms of sound stage without otherwise changing the sound. Likewise it will gain me a headphone amp which I'll need soon (baby on the way).
Perhaps an LTA MZ2 or even the new 3 would be worthwhile looking at?
I was really just looking for another preamp option for a 2nd system, or at least a 1.5 system.. something with tone controls, phono and headphone sections.. pretty much the Yamaha C-70 but every unit I found was beat up and I didn't want to put $ into having avionics restore a pig.
Funny thing is, some of the 'issues' that I was having with the Freya- low bass, etc turned out to be in parts a 'settings' issue and part an interconnect issue. Also adding the Mani phono amp, made me realize how good my TT sounded through the Freya and then my feelings started to shift.
That MicroZOTL looks pretty interesting!! Will you be posting a review?
I've been working on patching holes in my system and the sound is getting progressively 'better'.
Tomorrow I have a Gungnir Multibit coming, so I'll be going balanced outs from DAC to preamp. I picked up some new RCA..interconnects, spending more than I should have but I guess it's buy once cry once.
I'm expecting things to change significantly, when it all gets in and set up tomorrow.
Funny thing is, some of the 'issues' that I was having with the Freya- low bass, etc turned out to be in parts a 'settings' issue and part an interconnect issue. Also adding the Mani phono amp, made me realize how good my TT sounded through the Freya and then my feelings started to shift.
That MicroZOTL looks pretty interesting!! Will you be posting a review?
I've been working on patching holes in my system and the sound is getting progressively 'better'.
Tomorrow I have a Gungnir Multibit coming, so I'll be going balanced outs from DAC to preamp. I picked up some new RCA..interconnects, spending more than I should have but I guess it's buy once cry once.
I'm expecting things to change significantly, when it all gets in and set up tomorrow.
sqlsavior
Lunatic Member
http://www.promitheusaudio.com/tvc.htm
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/transformer-volume-controls.649914/
The secret word is: Transparency
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/transformer-volume-controls.649914/
The secret word is: Transparency
mjw21a
Super Member
twiiii
Lunatic Member
I would go with the Hafler. Its not a great pre-amp but of those mentioned that's what I would choose. Some of the earlier Yamahas sound very good, but I had service issues with them. All were in our repair shop more often that not because of faulty caps. They don't like heat. And thats what you have in a desert climate.
7whales7
Addicted Member
Good point Twiii i would have mentioned some higher end Yamaha Pre's, but they seem unreliable over the years......cross my fingers.... as long as my Yammie Mx1000 amp isn't listening!
J English
Super Member
I do like my NAD 1020 a lot, sounds good, unrestored. Also have a Nikko Beta 20, decent, to my ear not as good as the NAD. I am running more and more source direct to amp with a passive pre. I love Schiit products, good value, may add a Freya to my work setup in the future. Very sorry about your CA-5 experience. I drool over those, but the cost is a little high. What a looker, though, internally and externally.
Cajunchuck
Active Member
This is the route I went (only it's the newer PR 102). Couldn't be happier with it.
ProudArmyBra
Active Member
All of your older glue's used to lock componets in place become corrosive and conductive over time. It is even more of a concern in mobile eqipment and two way radio gear of years gone by!
It is not as if your dipping pig iron into a vat of strong acid but it is also very real.
ProudArmyBra
Active Member
I would also add there is no brand that reliably makes gear that is universaly great it is componet by componet. Any brand you can name I can assure you have had hit and misses when it comes to what they have produced. There is a reason your list is so short.