Help matching a preamp

[Gigantic]

I’m sorry, I didn’t exactly understand what you meant by “what I wanted the preamp to be able to do”. I would only like for it to have a minimum amount of features. Volume and a source selector is all I need.
I can see why you would be frustrated, I apologize.

A Schiit SYS is the simplest solution, it allows you to switch sources and control the volume and they’re quite inexpensive. Their Saga S is the next step up and allows you do everything via remote; the Saga + adds a tube filter for additional tone

 

[app4dstn]

Thank you. I am a newbie of sorts so thank you for dumbing it down for me.
I will not be needing a phono stage. Only going to be running a cd player and maybe some type of Bluetooth device to stream music from my phone.
A friend of mine has a Adcom 555 preamp for sale, $100.
Thanks for explaining

hey, i resemble this remark!...... er, at least i did a few months ago. oh how things change; now 100% phono with multiple tables and zero digital.

but started with a 545ii and 400 gtp pre amp, and the thought that "i only listen to spotify".

curiosity, knowledge, addiction, anxiety. i think that's the progression.

 

[Monad]

adcom preamps are nice..

I love the 555 II had 2 and miss them but they went to a good home @FB night ;D

At some point I'd like another pair ;D or just a single to start, as they're super versatile and I like throwing clean Nelson Pass designed watts at any speaker.

i heard the GFP 750 / 555 after i purchased the amps and was impressed w the match but ended up going tube preamp.

i had an old Freya, the first one. Abject trash.. worst preamp I ever had.. had several other Schiit products, DACs phono preamp, DDC.. I don't have any of it, in my system now.

Older Yamaha gear can be had for a good price, if you shop right.. the C4 is an exceptional value.. or can be but prices have doubled there since the plague hit.. the C2, C4..6, C40, 60..

A lot of the for sale items look like they were stored in a barn or lived in a dorm room but you can still find them pretty.

just DMd you with a good deal I found online.. that I'd like to have myself but I'm focused elsewhere in system. ;D so buy it, so I don't have to.

 

[z-adamson]

I’m sorry, I didn’t exactly understand what you meant by “what I wanted the preamp to be able to do”. I would only like for it to have a minimum amount of features. Volume and a source selector is all I need.
I can see why you would be frustrated, I apologize.

Do you need preamplification? Probably not if you are using a cdp. You probably have a signal strength of about 2v. Strong enough for that amp.

Do you need/want tone controls, tape loop, high cut / low cut, loudness, etc.? If not, AND you don't need preamplification, your best bet is the Schitt SYS. Everything you need, nothing you don't need. Short signal path.

Only about $50 and pretty nice at that...

 

[z-adamson]

SYS…

 

[FB night]

I love the 555 II had 2 and miss them but they went to a good home @FB night ;D

It is good you are forgetting about these, my friend. They are the GFA-565 monoblocks, 300+ watts of power into 8 ohms. Currently driving a pair of Vandersteen 3A speakers in a dedicated listening room, at my other larger home. The Vandersteen 3A must be bi-wired, and these monoblocks seem to have been made just for these, they are not going anywhere.

 

[FB night]

I had an Adcom GFP-750 some years ago. It was exactly as described in many reviews I had read. Transparent with no coloration to the signal. It did not work out for me, though, I found I like the sonic attributes of tubes and so for me, the GFP-750 seemed to sound a bit dull and lifeless. I have many tube preamps now, and also have an Adcom GFP-555ii preamp that I normally use for testing my amp builds. It is well built, have had it for years. Some online reviews call it a bit dark sounding, I dont notice that though, but then the speakers I use are a bit bright sounding, so maybe they work well together.

 

[Jimmyjam16]

It is good you are forgetting about these, my friend. They are the GFA-565 monoblocks, 300+ watts of power into 8 ohms. Currently driving a pair of Vandersteen 3A speakers in a dedicated listening room, at my other larger home. The Vandersteen 3A must be bi-wired, and these monoblocks seem to have been made just for these, they are not going anywhere.

Thanks for your input. I used to have a pair of Vandersteens. I had to sell them because of financial reasons and I wish I never had. I really loved them but just too big of a footprint for where I was going to be.

 

[hopeless]

Schiit is decent quality for a decent price. You either like them, or you don't, and there's not much middle ground. Adcom is also decent, and there's a good variety of their preamps out there.

My vintage recommendation would be a Kenwood Basic C2, especially if you are into vinyl, the phono-stage is quite good. It's a very competent piece of kit, and sounds good as well.

Or even the C1. I used to recommend the old Yamahas a lot, but they are getting a bit pricey. The Kenwoods are outside the mainstream right now.

 

[Artie]

I have a SYS, and love it. But $8 will get you the exact same thing, minus the cool brushed silver case.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Thank you. I am a newbie of sorts so thank you for dumbing it down for me.
I will not be needing a phono stage. Only going to be running a cd player and maybe some type of Bluetooth device to stream music from my phone.
A friend of mine has a Adcom 555 preamp for sale, $100.
Thanks for explaining

I think this post says it all. The OP states that he needs 'inputs' for two devices, a CD Player and a second for possibly music streaming through his phone. Later on he says he doesn't need much in controls, and in his first post, he wants to keep it under $300.

The Adcom 555 preamp has more than enough inputs for peripherals such as CDs, with room for growth, and it has a very good reputation, so if the OP doesn't like it, he can easily sell it to get his money back or at a profit to help pay for something better. Win - win!