2. amps-preamps
  3. 1275452104

best pre-amp new or used for under $500?

Hello there, just bought a 2-channel power amp and need pre-amp advice. My budget is low, as the title above states, and the power amp is a Rotel RB-1080. Speakers will be either Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1, Dynaudio Excite X16 or Totem Rainmakers. I have not auditioned these speakers yet, they are on my list because of reputation, look and price. Source is a Yamaha CD changer, will upgrade that after the speakers arrive. Room will be small, 12x12x8. Would prefer to have a couple sets of pre-outs so I can hook up a sub if necessary. A remote is an absolute must, my listening sessions are 90-120 minutes long. Thanks in advance and happy listening.
realremo
pmm
23 posts
 
NAD 118 Digital Pre. Great tone controls.Onboard Dac-sound adj.`s in digital domain.Overall sound competes well against higher end pre`s.No Pre-outs. You could hook-up your Sub@speaker level.
ddan6815
30 posts
 
AS a matter of fact, I do own this unit, along with the ERC1 cd player. with their generous return policy you cant go wrong. give it a try
realremo OP
455 posts
 
Ddan6815 - you must be referring to the Emotiva USP-1. Do you run a subwoofer?
ddan6815
30 posts
 
yes, I run a Velodyne fsp18, which I recently aquired. I run my Apogees full range, using the crossover of the sub instead of the usp1 crossover, If I was the run my Apogees using the high pass/low pass filters, I would use the crossover from the usp1
realremo OP
455 posts
 
Ddan - I ran a pair of B&W 685s with a HSU sub for about 6 months, until I bought the Denon AVR. I used a 15 year old Yamaha integrated, connected the sub to the B speaker terminals, and just used the crossover on the HSU, so no high-pass for the 685s. When I bought the Denon, I tried high-passing them, and was not satisfied until I bi-amped the 685s with the Denon's rear channels. Even then I thought the sound was better running the 685s full range. Now that I have the Rotel to push the 685s, the sound is much better. Still not sure about the Audessey room correction on the Denon - this is why I want to check out a pre-amp with bass management.
Some folks highly recommend tubed pre-amps, like the Anthem Pre 2 L, http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1280423801&/Anthem-Pre-2-L--SE-special-edi, doesn't have bass management but does have two sets of pre's, so I can use the crossover on the powered sub...so quality pre or bass management I guess is the dilemma.
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