Preamp recomendations for music

[gentlejax]

I am currently using a carver sunfire and it sounds okay but I have urge to try a Onkyo or maybe a hafler 110 or even the Kenwood c1 because the sunfire is a home theater processor. I have no use for home theater.
I also have a Classe SSP30-mkii but the same goes for it as the carver sunfire...

I only need 1 pre so 1 or both of these need to go but I dont want to take a step back in performance just for sake of having strictly a audio pre....Ive looked at the internals of the carver and its got a nice layout. its not just an empty case.

I havent seen inside the classe but I am sure its similar.

or is there even a possible upgrade without spending $1k ? cause my limit is $300 ...

ive looked at kenwood Onkyo and yamaha and hafler and NAD dont know what else there is . suggestions welcome of course ...im even considering a integrated again cause i like having a backup for my main amp.

 

[Karl vd Berg]

I use now a Kenwood Basic C1 - which was recently recapped/upgraded - to drive some power amps. You can't go wrong with it.

 

[prisoners]

I don't think you'll do better than the Carver for $300. I'm also surprised you don't seem to care for the Classe' either; both are pretty nice pieces of gear.

 

[gentlejax]

I don't think you'll do better than the Carver for $300. I'm also surprised you don't seem to care for the Classe' either; both are pretty nice pieces of gear.

I like the carver and the classe but sometimes simpler is better. I like the carver but some of my lights do not work . if I can get them to work then I will stick with that. I like the classe too. sounds better slightly than the carver but the classe sold on ebay .

some think that having a pre designed for just music without all the extra for video is better. I have only had 2 preamps that were as such and neither sounded as good as the carver or classe but neither when new cost thousands.

I may have just talked myself out of changing...lol.......cause there may not be a preamp out there that would be better than what I have without significant expense. hmmm...

if I can find a carver that has been recapped id like to try one..

 

[tonyk]

If your patient, the Superphon Revelation dual mono preamp pops up on Ebay from time to time for less than your budget. These are very well regarded preamps for music.

 

[jhoyt]

If you don't need a lot of preamp gain, look at the Schiit Saga. Phenomenal sounding.

 

[MudSlideSlim]

f your patient, the Superphon Revelation dual mono preamp pops up on Ebay from time to time for less than your budget. These are very well regarded preamps for music.

The Superphon Revelation is one piece of audio gear that I really really regret getting rid of and it was all because of those twin vol controls. It's a smaller unit but it packs a lot of bang and tonal quality for what you get. The sound it produced was amazing as remember. Now that many preamps lack balance controls dual vol controls make more sense today.