You are better off with a separate phono pre-amp.
Preamp for around $1000??
- Thread starter bane.oh
- Start date
ernieS
Well-Known Member
I I’ve two AR preamps, both sound amazing. A SP9 and LS3.
Attachments
Mart Mccall
Well-Known Member
I also wondered about that until I got one and hooked it up - but it's not an issue. The phono stage is also competent despite running through an ADC. Being able to adjust analogue input level is quite handy and it will let you know if the digital or analogue inputs are clipping. The 3 band PEQ is useful to have too.
Most of the modern budget pre amps people have recommended are also fine for sound quality but they don't come close in build quality or cosmetic appearance. Although I grant that the looks are subjective.
Last edited:
pauldrewry
Super Member
Used: Counterpoint, Van Alstine, B&K. Either one has good phono stage. Counterpoint is tubed phono.
I have a Parasound P6 Halo that I run with my twin Adcom GFA-565 monoblocs. I have been exceptionally happy with it. You can get them used, but in superb condition for $600-$700.
Schiit Freya is you want something new with a warranty. Audible Illusions Modulus if you don't mind buying an older version.
Interesting. I had never heard of the company, but their products look interesting. Thank you for that.
ejman
Super Member
I've been enjoying my Schiit Saga 2 with a Darlington phono preamp. Brilliant combination that sounds really good and fits right into the $1,000 slot depending on which Darlington preamp is considered ( I have the MP-7) I tried the Fozi ZP3 but I returned it because it sounded a bit bright to my ears in my system and there is no physical indication for volume level. The Saga 2 has none of these issues. I prefer the Darlington over the Schiit Mani 2 which I also have but it is a bit pricier. Don't know is that is important to you but both the Schiit and the Darlington are built in the USA and both have excellent US based support.
bane.oh
Active Member
$700?! I wish! Maybe a P5, but that P6 looks nice!
bane.oh
Active Member
I bit the bullet and bought a P6!I have a Parasound P6 Halo that I run with my twin Adcom GFA-565 monoblocs. I have been exceptionally happy with it. You can get them used, but in superb condition for $600-$700.
I found one used on The Music Room for $1449. It was a bit over my budget but being tested and having a 30 day return window and 90 day warranty sold me. I can't wait to hear it sing. All the reviews are exceptional and it has all the bits I need like a great phono stage, dual sub out, high end DAC, remote, etc. I think I'm going to love it. Thanks for the recommendation!
Now I'm considering the totally unreasonable and unnecessary idea of getting a second GFA-555ii to run bridged in mono. Over 800 watts into 4 ohms isn't overkill, is it??
I had no idea they had gotten that expensive. I purchased mine from Crutchfield three or four years ago, and paid around $1500 brand new. As far as the amps: It has been my experience that while you can bridge amps, they lose the efficiency they had as a two channel. If it were me, I would just keep the single 555, as that is an amazing piece on its own
Mongo1958
Active Member
I just retired my Audio Research LS3 Preamp, and purchased a P6 from Audio Advisor (used From Prarasound). Not sure if it was a display unit at a trade show or something else. It looks new and works great. The strange thing is the Built in DAC, with the exception of the USB-B input, all the other digital inputs are 24 Bit. The USB-B input is the only 32 Bit input. My Rotel CD14MKII and this P6 preamp are the newest and most sophisticated, and advanced pieces of equipment to my system.
FWIW, I recently picked up a PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell for $600 to my door. It certainly isn’t vintage, but I think you’d find that its preamp capabilities and integral dac exceed that of your Topping dac and certainly most if not all vintage preamps. You’d still need a phono stage, though.
Keep your eye on the used market. The deals are there if you’re vigilant and prepared to move immediately when opportunity presents itself.
Keep your eye on the used market. The deals are there if you’re vigilant and prepared to move immediately when opportunity presents itself.
Mart Mccall
Well-Known Member
Actually it measures exceptionally poorly with very high levels of noise and distortion.
PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC & Stellar M700 DAC/Preamp/Monoblocks Lab Report
Lab Report Although PS Audio has adopted the tried-and-tested ES9018 DAC, the usual mix of low noise, low distortion and vanishingly low jitter are swamped here by PSU noise and THD from, presumably, the encapsulated 'Gain Cell' preamp. The A-wtd S/N is 90dB (re. 0dBV, or just 103dB via the DAC...
www.hifinews.com
Review and Measurements of the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC
This is a review and detailed measurements of the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC. It is on kind loan from someone who read my review of PS Audio DirectStream DAC and wanted to know how this model of PS Audio DAC performs. The Stellar Gain Cell costs US $1,699 which as high-end audio DACs go is...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Mongo1958
Active Member
The P6 is $2600 at Audio Advisor. I found used one for $1300 from AA.I had no idea they had gotten that expensive. I purchased mine from Crutchfield three or four years ago, and paid around $1500 brand new. As far as the amps: It has been my experience that while you can bridge amps, they lose the efficiency they had as a two channel. If it were me, I would just keep the single 555, as that is an amazing piece on its own