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Preamps under ~$800 with phono and tone control

funkingkyle

funkingkyle

New Member
What do people like in this range? Thinking about replacing my old Marantz, which needs a recap, with something modern. Here's what I'm running now:
  • Marantz 2245 (using as preamp)
  • Kit-built (by me) ICEpower125ASX2 power amp
  • Seas Bragi MTM kit-built (by my friend) speakers
  • Denon DP-62L turntable
  • S.M.S.L M200 DAC connected directly to server computer
I would also be open to going integrated if there's something in this price range that would outperform my little kit amp.

Thanks!
 
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Might want to look into a Yamaha AS series integrated like the 701 or 801. Hard to say if the amp section is “better” than your ice amps but it has the features you seek.

Preamps under a grand, in general, is a really small pool let alone with tone controls and phono section. Vintage are plentiful but new I can only think of one made by Emotiva.
 
prighello said:
Might want to look into a Yamaha AS series integrated like the 701 or 801. Hard to say if the amp section is “better” than your ice amps but it has the features you seek.

Preamps under a grand, in general, is a really small pool let alone with tone controls and phono section. Vintage are plentiful but new I can only think of one made by Emotiva.
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Those Yamahas do look great. Might be worth a try and if I don't prefer the sound I can just return it.

Any particular vintage models to look out for? Always seems hard to me to track down something specific vintage. Would definitely be open to used newer gear as well. Thanks!
 
I’m not that knowledgeable about vintage but if I were seeking what you are I’d be looking at adcom or Nad preamps. They made several models that had phono and tone controls in the past 20-30 years. They aren’t considered “vintage” perhaps but that means they will likely be in better shape too. Proton is a another one, a sister brand to Nad.

With your budget, if you drop the tone control requirement and/or phono you can likely get a linestage in a whole other league form these brands. Quicksilver, McCormack, CJ, ARC…there are tons of you would go outboard phono and no tone controls. Better preamps are usually more basic in feature set.
 
prighello said:
I’m not that knowledgeable about vintage but if I were seeking what you are I’d be looking at adcom or Nad preamps. They made several models that had phono and tone controls in the past 20-30 years. They aren’t considered “vintage” perhaps but that means they will likely be in better shape too. Proton is a another one, a sister brand to Nad.

With your budget, if you drop the tone control requirement and/or phono you can likely get a linestage in a whole other league form these brands. Quicksilver, McCormack, CJ, ARC…there are tons of you would go outboard phono and no tone controls. Better preamps are usually more basic in feature set.
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Thank you again! I'm open to dropping tone controls and getting a separate for phono, my only issue is that the cart on my turntable is SO much warmer than every other source that I typically bump down bass/up treble when listening to it. I run DSP and can adjust bass to the subs from the SVS app, so I don't need tone control for anything else really, so I'll look into linestage preamps.
 
Check out frenzel tube preamp.
Spx72 preamp comes with tone controls, 2 phono inputs, (mc and mm,)cd and aux .
I have one ,sounds great with Luxman m120a power amp.
Made in USA. $695, having a 4 th sale 10% off.
 
Crown PSL-2 if you're willing to go vintage.

I have two Crowns but my favorite pre-amp is still the Soundcraftsmen Pro-Control-Four, though many will turn up their noses at that one. Under your budget maybe even if you add the matching Pro-EQ 44.
 
The Emotiva BassX PT1 $399 has a MM/MC and the phonostage is really good for the money to. It also has dedicated sub output with a high pass filter...
 
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