confusion about the aragon 28k pre amp

I think the solid state qusd (909?) can be hsd for that price. It has the quad "tilt" and is a an excellent performer evn for its new price(golden ear award for what it worth in 2002)

The parasound halo looks like a nice preamp, I mostly listen to rock and country, I can afford more I just would like to keep the cost down. I appreciate everyones input.

If you have Klipschhorns you need a quiet preamp more than anything. With a sensitivity of 104 dB, any noise will be revealed by the speakers. I have K-horns too and I'm looking for a new preamp in order to get less noise. At the moment I have a Linn Kolektor preamp that has all the features one would like (10 inputs incl. phono, tone controls, remote, etc.) at a fair price (around $1000), but there is a constant noise floor that is clearly audible at the listening position. The noise floor of the Kolektor was not a problem when I had inefficient Infinity Kappa 90 speakers (88 dB). I've been recommended a few quiet preamps, but most of them are quite expensive (Mark Levinson, Boulder, Halcro, Classé, Accustic Arts, Accuphase, McIntosh). Accuphase preamps have tone controls (and much more), but they cost an arm and a leg. McIntosh C45 and C46 are a bit cheaper ($3600 and $4600) and they have tone controls. I've been recommended a couple of mid-priced quiet preamps as well: Bel Canto Pre2 ($2500) and BVaudio P10 ($1800). They don't have tone controls, but they should be quiet according to the specs. The Aragon 28k you mentioned looks quiet according to specs too. The Parasound Halo P3 has tone controls, but it's not very quiet according to specs (and reviews at audioreview.com). According to specs, the Anthem TLP1 preamp+tuner should be quiet, but you never now. It's fairly cheap ($800) and has tone controls. The Rotel RC-1070 has a "contour" control but it's not quiet enough according to specs. I have not tested any of the equipment mentioned here, so I don't really know... As for tone controls, I have them but I never use them. I'd go for a quiet preamp. Whatever you choose, please let us know. Good luck.

My needs just got put on hold for a bit someone pulled out in front of us this morning and we t-boned them doing 35 mph and destroyed my wifes suv, thank god we were driving an suv and luckily no one was in the passenger seat of the other car, we only have back and neck pain, but should be fine. I have a few months to decide what to go with, I'm building a new house that will fit k-horns and it probably wont be complete til june. I'm new to audiogon and appreciate the advice, you guys have given me some great advice and lots of new preamp prospects. Thanks. Norm

If you want quiet and a low budget yet decent sounding, try to find one of the older Yamaha pre-amps like the C-80.