Best Vintage Preamp
- Thread starter mcjohnston
- Start date
As are my suggestions (if you consider a switch a "button" in the case of the JC-2).
soundmotor
super modified
When my ST70 was my main rig, an SS preamp fed it. It was a superb combo, one I miss.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
Personally, I use the Soundcraftsmen Pro-Control-Four but based on its reputation I've also purchased a couple of Crown PSL-2 and Straight Line Two pre-amps.
Many collectors will pooh-pooh Crowns based on their professional history and the checkered reputation of their IC-150. No one who knows what they're talking about has ever maligned the PSL-2/SL-2. At a slim one R-U height, it's packed with capabilities and lives up to its Straight Line name, which is the goal of a pre-amp, right?
Many collectors will pooh-pooh Crowns based on their professional history and the checkered reputation of their IC-150. No one who knows what they're talking about has ever maligned the PSL-2/SL-2. At a slim one R-U height, it's packed with capabilities and lives up to its Straight Line name, which is the goal of a pre-amp, right?
ictwoody
I like vintage gear — my preamp is from 2007.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
There are some Mac pre-amps everyone wants. C-22 or C-28, for instance. But if phono is important to you, C-29 or C-30 are better units even though they are off the radar screen. If you want to save space, the C-712 or 715 are good units that are often over looked. Another to consider is the last 16" wide unit Mac built. The C-37 with remote control. If you love the tube sound and want a C-22 in sheeps clothing, you need to find a C-11. C-20 is for folks who have vast record collections that need different EQ curves. If you like a forward sound the Marantz 7c is a winner and I always felt the 7t was more faithful to the recording. We sold Kenwood, Yamaha, Sansui, and Pioneer, and though I would never own one I preferred the Sansui units. They were more mellow and didn't have the fatigue factor of the others. Pioneer Elite units were always to be taken seriously.
M-D-Z
Member
A big (+1) on the Crown Straight Line Two, it has been an excellent preamplifier!
Depending upon requirements of the moment, I switch between the SL-2 Crown, a Sansui CA-2000, a RANE Empath and an Allen&Heath 12FX-zed.
Daunia 70
Lunatic Member
Since I last posted,managed to acquire a Sony TA-E88B pre-amp from 1977. According to The Vintage Knob,it's one of the very best ever manufactured and I completely agree.
You just have to smile at it's ultra hi-end build quality not to mention sound quality!
You just have to smile at it's ultra hi-end build quality not to mention sound quality!
Westy56
A symphony of paradox
For a better than "good one", I'd say the HK Citation I.
TEA FOR ONE
Super Member
Maybe I missed it,any budget in mind? There have been suggestions here that are ALL over the board.
Roving Sign
Active Member
Monarchy Audio Passive Buffered Preamp
It was inert - no power supply or "on" or "off" - I think gain came from transformers?
I loved that thing...the best way to listen to an amplifier...or anything in front of it.
I would buy another - its been at least 20+ years since I had that piece...so I'm calling it "vintage"
It was inert - no power supply or "on" or "off" - I think gain came from transformers?
I loved that thing...the best way to listen to an amplifier...or anything in front of it.
I would buy another - its been at least 20+ years since I had that piece...so I'm calling it "vintage"
A Sony TA-E86B just sold on Ebay. If it had been a TA-E88B, I would have kept bidding.
Daunia 70
Lunatic Member
I don't blame you! The earlier,much more expensive TA-E88B is the one to get. No doubt,the later TA-E86B is still good,but it's a simplified/watered down version.
xero-D-hero
Super Member
Add me to that ^^^^ group +1.
Cant believe how good my Basic C1 sounds,system also includes a modest Adcom GFA 5200 50wpc amp and a Sansui SE-80 EQ thru JBL LX-44 speakers and it constantly amazes me just how good this system sounds for what amounts to peanuts $$$ wise,and I feel that the Basic C1 is largely to credit for the amazing sound this system produces (that and the LX-44's).
It truly excels at low volume listening too,the adjustable loudness control allows one to add just an ever-so-slight touch of "weight" to the sound w/o getting slammed like often happens with an "all or nothing" loudness button (FYI I'm not a loudness fan @ all,but I love the C1's loudness knob).
Gonna grab another if I run across it for a decent price (I know I will,it just takes a bit of patience).
Is it "the best" vintage pre-amp,almost certainy not,but it's a d@mn good one!
Only "con" I've found w/the Basic C1 is it could maybe use a couple more Aux. inputs for use in more complex systems,,,but I guess it would'nt be a "Basic" pre-amp then...
Bret P. ~ ØD
sheltie dave
Addicted Member
Totally under the radar are the GAS Thaedra, RGR preamps, HAPI I and II(Hegeman Audio,) and Acurus RL 11.
Tube units include the Citation I, Lafayette KT600, Interelectronics, and a couple Ampex units for stereo. The Macs and Marantz are sometimes a little dark and heavy. There are a number of superb mono units.
Tube units include the Citation I, Lafayette KT600, Interelectronics, and a couple Ampex units for stereo. The Macs and Marantz are sometimes a little dark and heavy. There are a number of superb mono units.