Parasound HALO A23 plus [name pre-amp here]

[SolidSqual]

Guys I was looking at the HALO controllers such as the C2 and nearly died when I saw the $3,000+ price point. Right now I have a Yamaha HTR-5890. Any good recommendations for a 7.1 pre-amp that also plays 2-channels well?

[cbl117]

Guys I was looking at the HALO controllers such as the C2 and nearly died when I saw the $3,000+ price point. Right now I have a Yamaha HTR-5890. Any good recommendations for a 7.1 pre-amp that also plays 2-channels well?


Your asking the same question I've been wondering as well. I have a A23 too and I'm looking for a preamp to match. I only need a two channel pre. Sorry to hijack the thread, but hopefully someone can help us both!:D

[SolidSqual]

I hope so.

[polkatese]

Try Rotel:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1162690022
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1160253425

no affil, but these are solid pre-amps.

[schwarcw]

If you buy used, you can pickup a Sunfire Grand Cinema. One sold on the flea not to long ago for about $1K I think. I've seen the C2's on Audiogon for $1,800 - $2,500. I saw a new C1 for $3,300 that one is a beauty!

[Emlyn]

Look for the prices on used C2's to start falling below $2000 in the next few months as owners start to unload them because they lack HDMI switching and some other features. I'd steer clear of the C1 because the only useful thing it offers over the C2 is the LCD screen. The C2 is actually one of the best solid state two channel preamps I've heard if it's balanced inputs are put to use (there's a separate board for the direct balanced inputs). The P3 two channel preamp is a good choice for a two channel system with the A23, but it doesn't perform as well as the C2 for audio.

[venomclan]

Guys I was looking at the HALO controllers such as the C2 and nearly died when I saw the $3,000+ price point. Right now I have a Yamaha HTR-5890. Any good recommendations for a 7.1 pre-amp that also plays 2-channels well?

Solid,
One of the Outlaw preamps will probably serve you best. There will be good synergy with the Outlaws you already have. IMHO the Halo pre will be overkill with the capabilities of the Outlaw 2200's.
Venom

[halo]

How about a VTL 2.5 (http://www.vtl.com/pages/preamplifiers.html#TL-2.5)? You'd have to add a separate pro but you'd be able to have tubes in the mix for 2 channel listening.