• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Preamp for a Magnavox 9300 amp?

JMiP

JMiP

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I just recently purchased a Magnavox 9300 series tube power amp but I still need a preamp. I listen to mostly records but have been known to spin up some CDs. Type of music: rock, country, soul; really just about anything with guitars, bass, drums, vocals.

What would you suggest that I get for the preamp? Ideally, I would like to stay under $300. I have no problem mixing solid state with tube, so any SS recommendations would be welcome. I've been told by people that I trust that using a SS pre with my Maggie would work just fine, but may lose a bit of that tubey warmth, but it all should still sound great. Given my budget, I'm not sure I will be able to afford a good tube preamp.

Edited to add:
Also, what kinds of things should I be on the lookout for when matching a preamp to the Maggie? Any technical specs to be watchful for? Something about output impedance and input impedance?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
index.php


Dynaco pas-3 tube preamp,
You Probably could get one under $300

And check out Dave G's
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/more-fun-with-magnavox-the-9300-series.687735/
More Fun With Magnavox: The 9300 Series
 
Last edited:
With most line level sources like a CDP, tape or streaming from a device you may not need one unless you want added functions like tone controls. I just added a volume control to my 9303. I also have a volume control/input selector I use. With a turntable you would need a phono preamp though. The output of my CD players, tape decks and a couple tuners can drive the amp loud enough to start clipping with just a volume control.
 
My 93 and 88 both don’t really need a preamp, but they do seem to sound a little better with one. Definitely louder. Anyway, I use a couple of different DIY tube pre’s I made and a Fisher 400C. They all sound great. Use whatcha got! And get more if need be. :D
 
If you know how to solder, take a look at the Bottlehead Quickie, it's a battery powered preamp. Fun and easy to build, $99 base price, "batteries not included".
 
RUmad said:
My 93 and 88 both don’t really need a preamp, but they do seem to sound a little better with one. Definitely louder. Anyway, I use a couple of different DIY tube pre’s I made and a Fisher 400C. They all sound great. Use whatcha got! And get more if need be. :D
Click to expand...
Well, I currently have a Magnavox 8802 with some sort of kit tube preamp and honestly, it doesn't sound all that great. Good bass, but it's all murky or loose sounding and there isn't much high end going on. I'll hooking the CD player straight into the amp to see what that sounds like.
 
nikon f said:
If you know how to solder, take a look at the Bottlehead Quickie, it's a battery powered preamp. Fun and easy to build, $99 base price, "batteries not included".
Click to expand...
Sounds neat, but is this a case of "this $99 pre sounds pretty OK considering it's a kit"? I want something that sounds good without any caveats. Also, how often do you have to change out the batteries?

Edited to add:
Huh. The Bottlehead web site claims:
"The tubes we use draw so little current that the preamp will run for well over 100 hours before you need to replace the batteries. And you can even try rechargables in the circuit."

Is that your experience as well?
 
Yeah give that a try. You could always post some pics of the internals, maybe someone would notice a problem. It’s shouldn’t sound like that. Not at all. Good luck.
 
Whoah, yeah, that was a bad idea. LOL. I think I just startled the entire neighborhood. Man, that was loud! Can't remember the sound quality because I was so startled myself. That was CD player connected straight into the Maggie 8802.

(I don't have the 93xx in my hands yet. It's getting the once over by a fellow AKer)
 
Without a preamp, the amp itself will be at full volume especially with a cd player that has no means of external level control.
 
LOL. OK, I know that now. Hindsight being 50/50 (Cam Newton-ism there for ya), that makes sense. Eh, I'm new at this. The speakers are fine and that's all that matters right now.
 
The Bottlehead Quickie sounds great, the batteries last a long time, +150 hours, I use one with a Motorola EL84 amp, if you have any problems or questions you can call them and actually speak to the designer, they are tops on customer service!. The tubes go for $3 a piece, so it won't break the bank. For more info check out the Bottlehead website. The Quickie has a very clean sound because of the battery power supply. I have demonstrated my Quickie at Burning Amp several times and a lot of folks loved it. One more thing it sounds a whole lot nicer than the inexpensive tube preamps from China, which I have tried.
 
Last edited:
Sensitivity-wise they don't need anything but IMO they sound thin without one if we're talking the stock type configuration. I ran a Bottlehead Foreplay II with mine for a bit and it did a nice job. You don't need any gain to speak of. One of those simple buffers would probably even do it, or rebuild it to Dave Gillespie's specs and add the buffer stage to have it already on the chassis.
 
JMiP said:
I think I just startled the entire neighborhood. Man, that was loud! That was CD player connected straight into the Maggie 8802.
Click to expand...

I use my trusty Denon DCD-1500CD player w/original remote but the key IMHO is you need a CD player that has variable outputs to go a long with fixed outputs.
 
There's a fellow AKer that has a Little Bear P3 preamp that he's willing to sell to me. Any thoughts on that? It's quite a bit cheaper in price than a Bottlehead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom