Need a preamp....any advice is appreciated!

[Lightstar1]

Sure hope you can point me in the right direction. I want a good preamp for my new setup. I am running a pair of SDA SRS speakers with a Carver 1.0t amp. Probably will get something more powerful later but blew my budget, or most of it, on the SRS speakers. What would you suggest as a good preamp to use....my budget is under 500.00. Saw a Pioneer Spec-1 for sale....is it any good? Please give me your recommendations....I am open to what you think. Thanks!

[Early B.]

Ask Pearsall001.:D

[F1nut]

Go tubes or go home.

A few suggestions to get you started.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1213309730

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1212072524

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1213489347

[AudioFilet]

Here is one that I am considering:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAZPRE2

[del44]

Going old school with the Spec-1. In 1977 I bought the Spec-1 Spec-4. Totally awesome gear. No remote though. Unless your really into the vintage stuff, you might want to go with something newer. I,ve seen the Rotel RC-1070 going used in the $300-$350 area. Nice, affordable pre.

[george daniel]

this one might not be bad at all
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1212636596

[steveinaz]

As cool as the vintage Pioneer stuff is (yes, I'm a fan), there's far too many switches, knobs, and other bad things on those preamps that the signal has to route thru.

[Texas42]

I have a buddy with an Odyssey Tempest preamp for sale (with remote and separate sub out). It's an excellent preamp (I owned it a while and traded it to him for some speakers he needed to divest himself of due to space requirements). He hasn't listed it yet (he uses Audiogon). Let me know if you are interested. It's right around your budget (no more than $500).

[I-SIG]

Audio Alchemy DLC

Wes

[Lightstar1]

Sounds like the old Spec1 is not the way to go.....Looks like you guys recommend a tube preamp.....I had not considered that since I have never had any tube gear. How much better or how does the tube preamp compare to the "solid state"??? More suggestions welcome!!

[Ern Dog]

The most noticeable difference after adding a tube preamp into my rig was that the higher frequency "glare" was smoothed out. It took away the rough edges. Before this I was using my HK AVR635 as a preamp.

[Marty913]

Sure hope you can point me in the right direction. I want a good preamp for my new setup. I am running a pair of SDA SRS speakers with a Carver 1.0t amp. Probably will get something more powerful later but blew my budget, or most of it, on the SRS speakers. What would you suggest as a good preamp to use....my budget is under 500.00. Saw a Pioneer Spec-1 for sale....is it any good? Please give me your recommendations....I am open to what you think. Thanks!

If you're just looking for a simple preamp there's an Audiosource Pre One in the Flea Market for $100 shipped. Some of the early NAD's are excellent. On the other hand, if you're looking for optical / digital, future video / home theater expansions, etc. you might consider a receiver for use as a preamp.

I used an HK receiver for a while with my Carver amp until I found an Outlaw 950 for $400. There's a lot of ways to go.

[Fongolio]

I just scored a Carver C-1 off CanuckAudiomart for $160.00 and it sounds great. Also has sonic holography (which I love) good for mm and mc cartridges. Very warm sounding with my Hafler amp. An oldie but a goodie (the pre-amp, the amp, and the turntable are all great old gear).