Preamp Questions

[gimpod]

Hi all, I'm looking to replace my preamp because i need one with a remote.
What i have is an Adcom GFP 555 and a S.A.E PA-10. I like them both (the S.A.E. is a little more flexible) but they aren't remote controllable so i'm looking at a NAD 1600 with remote in good to excellent shape locally for $289 which seems to fit my needs. My question is, is this a decent pre for the money or should i keep looking. $300 is the max i can spend. For those who care or just interested this is what i need in a pre

1. Remote control
2. A good MM/MC Phono section
3. Tuner input or internal tuner
4. 2 full tape loops with 2 way dubbing (Tape 1 > Tape2 / Tape 2 > Tape 1)
5. CD Input
6. At least 1 Line level Aux input
7. Will play nice with my Adcom GFA-555 power amp

Another idea i'm thinking about doing is replacing the volume control in either the Adcom or S.A.E with a remote volume control kit something like this Remote Volume Control Kit has anybody had some experience with doing something like this. All i really need is to be able to control the volume for when the neighbors are beating on my door because the music is to loud.

Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be appreciated.

[Big Dawg]

... All i really need is to be able to control the volume for when the neighbors are beating on my door because the music is to loud.

Couldn't you just turn it down by hand when you get up to get the baseball bat?

[RuSsMaN]

How far away do you sit? BDT has used a golf club with a suction cup on the end to adjust volume hillbilly style before....

[hearingimpared]

Hi all, I'm looking to replace my preamp because i need one with a remote.
What i have is an Adcom GFP 555 and a S.A.E PA-10. I like them both (the S.A.E. is a little more flexible) but they aren't remote controllable so i'm looking at a NAD 1600 with remote in good to excellent shape locally for $289 which seems to fit my needs. My question is, is this a decent pre for the money or should i keep looking. $300 is the max i can spend. For those who care or just interested this is what i need in a pre

1. Remote control
2. A good MM/MC Phono section
3. Tuner input or internal tuner
4. 2 full tape loops with 2 way dubbing (Tape 1 > Tape2 / Tape 2 > Tape 1)
5. CD Input
6. At least 1 Line level Aux input
7. Will play nice with my Adcom GFA-555 power amp

Another idea i'm thinking about doing is replacing the volume control in either the Adcom or S.A.E with a remote volume control kit something like this Remote Volume Control Kit has anybody had some experience with doing something like this. All i really need is to be able to control the volume for when the neighbors are beating on my door because the music is to loud.

Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be appreciated.

IMHO you are asking a lot from a preamp at that price. Just a good MM/MC phono stage could run you that much. I guess it not impossible especially with GG always on the lookout for a great deal.

[bluecomet]

I would stick with the S.A.E. unit. Sit next to your audio gear and move the speakers on the other side of the room. Get a nice leather chair and kick back and enjoy. Another option would be buy an older model Sunfire processor and use it as your pre amp. It should send you back in the area of four to Five hundred dollars but it is well worth it. I know it's over your budget but I would take some time and save up for one. Just a thought.

[gimpod]

IMHO you are asking a lot from a preamp at that price. Just a good MM/MC phono stage could run you that much. I guess it not impossible especially with GG always on the lookout for a great deal.

Your probably right about asking a lot from a preamp at my price. I may just have to deal with what i've got but a remote would be nice.

I would stick with the S.A.E. unit. Sit next to your audio gear and move the speakers on the other side of the room. Get a nice leather chair and kick back and enjoy. Another option would be buy an older model Sunfire processor and use it as your pre amp. It should send you back in the area of four to Five hundred dollars but it is well worth it. I know it's over your budget but I would take some time and save up for one. Just a thought.

Actually i like the S.A.E. better than the Adcom i just wish i could figure out a way to make it remote controllable. As far as using a AV type processor as a preamp they have a lot more circuitry in them that i have no need for or would ever use. So why pay for stuff your not going to use.

Thank both of you for your comment's and suggestion's there appreciated.

Oh RuSsman it's not about how far away i sit it's about accessibility.

I was hoping someone would comment on that NAD preamp.

[miner]

For that price range you may be able to get a used Rotel RC-1070. One reviewer stated it was worth the price of the phono stage alone (MM only - no MC).

[agfrost]

I've got an NAD 1600 in my bedroom setup--It's a very nice tuner/pre, but it's not the last word in high end preamps. I paid $200 for mine, in near-flawless shape, so the price you're looking at seems a tad high to me. Local pickup is always worth some peace of mind to avoid shipping snafus. I haven't had the chance to use the phono section, but it's supposed to be decent to good.

If its functionality fits your needs, you'll probably be hard pressed to find better within your budget.

HTH,

Jay

[hearingimpared]

Your probably right about asking a lot from a preamp at my price. I may just have to deal with what i've got but a remote would be nice.



Actually i like the S.A.E. better than the Adcom i just wish i could figure out a way to make it remote controllable. As far as using a AV type processor as a preamp they have a lot more circuitry in them that i have no need for or would ever use. So why pay for stuff your not going to use.

Thank both of you for your comment's and suggestion's there appreciated.

Oh RuSsman it's not about how far away i sit it's about accessibility.

I was hoping someone would comment on that NAD preamp.

Don't get me wrong Bro, NAD makes some great gear. I've owned and still own NAD gear since the '80s.

[gimpod]

For that price range you may be able to get a used Rotel RC-1070. One reviewer stated it was worth the price of the phono stage alone (MM only - no MC).

Yea i was looking a that Rotel, but from the manual it looks like you can only dub one way. I think it was Tape 2 > Tape 1, Thanks for the suggestion though.

I've got an NAD 1600 in my bedroom setup--It's a very nice tuner/pre, but it's not the last word in high end preamps. I paid $200 for mine, in near-flawless shape, so the price you're looking at seems a tad high to me. Local pickup is always worth some peace of mind to avoid shipping snafus. I haven't had the chance to use the phono section, but it's supposed to be decent to good.

If its functionality fits your needs, you'll probably be hard pressed to find better within your budget.

HTH,

Jay

Thanks Jay that helps a lot, I think i'm going to go check out that NAD this weekend, If it's near mint and meats my needs i'll most likely pick it up. Maybe i'll be able to talk the guy into some kind of a trade deal.

Don't get me wrong Bro, NAD makes some great gear. I've owned and still own NAD gear since the '80s.

Oh I didn't get you wrong I think I understood exactly what you were saying and I agree with you. Also I didn't think for one second you were slamming NAD gear at all. It's just that I can't afford to go Hi-end and to be honest with you with my hearing I probably couldn't hear the difference anyway. Can you say Stone Cold Deft in both ears :o.