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Best Vintage Preamp

If you want to go tube/tube check out some of the earlier Conrad Johnson pre's. They still are going for reasonable prices. If SS in the affordable area a Yamaha C-4 or Apt Holman would be up on my list. Had a couple of the Dyna PAS tube units and in spite of rebuilds they just didn't do it for me over time.
 
The solid-state Accuphase C-280 preamp sets a high benchmark:

http://www.thevintageknob.org/accuphase-C-280.html

http://www.accuphase.com/cat/c-280en.pdf

Pic here, being used as the front end to the 211 SET tube amp.

Rack_Setup1d.jpg
 
For Vintage SS, You might try a H/K Citation 17 or 17S.
Regards,
Jim
 
I own and use daily a Fisher 400c and its the best sounding preamp I have owned so gets my vote
I have a buddy with Mac c-20 and it has lovely tone to it as well as just plain looks awesome ,another top tube preamp contender!
I also own and use a HHscott LC-21 that is top teer as well
For SS my 2 top best were the Apt Holman and
Pioneer spec 1

hunter
 
chicks said:
I like my Luxman C-1000, but would love to complete my QUAD setup with a QUAD 34.
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A few weeks back I ordered a Luxman M-2000 power amp and was on the lookout for a C-1000 or 1010 to go with it. They don't show up too often though, so I ended up buying a CX-100 at a local audio shop. I very much like the CX-100 but if and when a 1000 or 1010 shows up online I will be on it. So...is yours going on the market, Chick? :D
 
onemug said:
For the "best" I would say the Marantz 7c.

For a "good" one, I'd say the Marantz 7t.

You didn't mention any budget. The 7c is getting crazy expensive. The 7t has been sub 1000 but I see the prices rising on them.

I have a few vintage systems and I love the look and sound of both the 7's especially in their wood cabinets.

Other than those, I like what JohnVF had to say.
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For vintage tube id go fairchild 248 ( for the best)mcintosh c22 20 or mx110,lafayette kt 600,then harman kardon citation series,followed by 2 electrovoice pc1 mono preamps.
 
Vintage pre-amps

having had the Marantz t7,a very nice fully restored Pas3 Dynaco and a Kenwood 700c.By far the best sounding with my Parasound HCA 1500A( class A A/B) and Altec 14's,DCM TF 700's is the Kenny.The 7T second.The Pas
3 came and went quickly.Good tubes,re wired by an artist with the sold state power board mod.I prefered the pre section in my Eico ST-70(slightly modded and recapped) to the Dynaco.I see a Conrad Johnson PV-1 locally that is teasing me.It does not have a low filter,which may sway me away.
But for now the Kenny does it all.A superb pre,and I know the mods available can take these way above.Just my thoughts.
 
Another thumbs up for the Kenwood 700C,or if you can find one an L-08C.
Don't overlook the Technics SU-9600 either.
 
Hello there,
My name is Josh from Germany .

I think that one of the best of the pre-amplifier Sansui c 2302 's .
a pre-amplifier of superlatives
 
yesshows77 said:
Tube:
Audible Illusions Modulus 2 or 3

SS:
Sony TA-E86 or E88
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I really like my AI L3 which is basically a Modulus 3 without the phono stage but it has a remote.
I also Have a Maple Tree Audio pre that sounds pretty good but it fails in the looks department :)

I have always wanted to own a Juicy Music but never got the chance to get one.
 
Yamaha CX-1000
Zero complaints about sound or workmanship on this unit.
 

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