2. amps-preamps
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Help me buy a magical pre-amp that doesn't exist

I'm looking for a pre-amp, to go along with my new Behringer A500, with quite specific requirements. So far, it seems that this magical pre-amp does not exist, mostly due to the first requirement

-Costs in line with the Behringer. I will be selling a Rotel RA-02 Integrated amp so I'll have a budget of about $300-500, give or take as I'm willing to throw in some other money too if needed, to work with.

-Good sound, obviously. Neutral, no hiss.

-Solid state. I tend to leave my amps on 24/7 so tubes are frowned upon for this reason.

-Remote control. My laziness demands it.

-Balanced outputs/(at least one) input. I would prefer to run completely balanced, since I'm going into a pro crossover to separate my speakers and bass bins, then to the A500.

-Reasonable cosmetics. I hate the 80ies look. This puts Linn gear I've seen in a bad light that fits pretty much every other requirement.

-MC phono stage! Ooh, I bet you guys all hate me now. There go 99% of the candidates.

-A 12v trigger would be nice too, but it's not a make-or-break feature.

So far, through research and recommendations I've come up with the following, in order of price:

Classe Thirty
Linn LK-1
NAD 116
Classe Five

Anybody know of others? Any thoughts between these four?

The NAD fits every requirement but might not sound as nice as the others. It's also a lot harder to find! Some suggestions or comments would be so greatly appreciated!
nayr2
nayr2 OP
5 posts
 
Please stop pushing your own products that in no way fit what I asked for help finding, nor recommending pre-amps not even remotely in my price range!

I'm using a mid-fi integrated amp as a pre-amp, so it won't take much to see an improvement.

For $300-500, I've listed four amps I've had recommended to me on other sites that fit most, if not all, of the requirements; So again this is not a unreasonable question. Just one with uncommon answers.

I would appreciate anything I could add to the list, or opinions on the preamps listed. Thanks!
david99
1,467 posts
 
I guess the title of your thread is your answer.
What you want doesnt exist.
People are trying to help you,maybe you should chill.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Nayr2 you are new here so maybe you dont understand how ideas and opinions work but you come off as hostile. If you dont like the help people are trying to give then dont come back. If you are tired of getting ideas that cost more maybe you are asking for more then chicken scratch can buy you.
wbs
42 posts
 
Hi
You might consider the B&K PT5. It covers all your requirements except the MC input. It's available used for $300-$400.
Bill
nayr2 OP
5 posts
 
I don't mean to be hostile, and apologies for the impression. Internet. There is some frustration however, as I said, with people ignoring the question to sell their own products, or telling me it's impossible even though I mentioned 4 suggestions I received from other forums.

The B&K looks pretty good, if I can find one at that price. Combine with a MC phono stage and I've got what, thanks for the suggestion!

I'm getting more and more tempted by a Classe 30 for sale locally. Any comments on it?
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